Please find a message from the Consortium for Ocean Leadership's New President and CEO

Consortium Members and Colleagues,

I am proud and honored to have been selected as the next President and CEO of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership. Over the past six and a half years, during my tenure in NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, I have come to know and respect COL’s work, to admire the dedication and professionalism of the staff, and have been inspired by the passion of the consortium members. I look forward to joining you and working together to shape the future of ocean science and technology through discovery, understanding and action.

I am also humbled to be joining the esteemed group of leaders who have guided COL, and CORE and JOI before that. I am mindful of this successful organization’s rich history, which has been shaped by those leaders in partnership with our members. I am grateful for their hard work; it is because of them that COL remains unique in its combined focus on science, education and advocacy, and its ability to use that focus to positively influence the direction of ocean science and maximize its impact on society. While at NOAA, I have seen the benefits of COL's efforts firsthand, and look forward to collaborating with you all to build on them in the years ahead.

As I prepare to take the helm at COL, I want to offer particular thanks to RADM White for his leadership of COL for the past five years, for his gracious welcome to me, and for his efforts to ensure a smooth and graceful transition of leadership. COL has seen many positive changes under Jon's direction and I know he will remain a friend to us even in his retirement. I ask you to please join me in celebrating Jon's many accomplishments and thank him for his unwavering dedication to advancing COL and serving the community.

I look forward to joining COL in May, and to working with – and for – all of you in the coming years! 

Sincerely,

Alan Leonardi