Dr. Larry McKinney, director of coastal fisheries and senior director of aquatic resources for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has been hired as executive director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, it was announced today.
McKinney, who is scheduled to begin his new duties in July, came to the Parks and Wildlife Department in 1986 and became head of the coastal fisheries and aquatic resources divisions in September 2004, a department spokeswoman said. No replacement for him has been announced.At the institute, McKinney replaces Dr. Robert Furgason, who became the first executive director in January 2005 and retired March 31. The institute bills itself as “the premier research institute for advancing the long-term sustainability and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.” It was created by a $46 million endowment in 2000 from Edward H. Harte, former publisher of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
