Vice President of Government & Public Affairs Candidate - Dr. Ruth Perry

Dr. Ruth Perry is the Head of Permitting and Development for Shell. She is responsible for leading and executing the permitting and regulatory advocacy, policy and research strategies for Shell's global power portfolio. Prior to this role, she was part of Shell's Government Relations team and responsible for ocean and environmental policy for Shell Exploration and Production Americas. In both capacities, Dr. Perry advises and advocates for Shell on energy, maritime, and environmental policies and regulations for resource management (fisheries, marine life, and benthic resources) in the nation's EEZ. In this role, she creates public-private partnerships to responsibly advance ocean energy and marine resource management and conservation initiatives. Dr. Perry has led major ocean and coastal research and social investment programs for Shell Gulf of America, including initiating autonomous systems implementation to improve hurricane forecasting.

Dr. Perry has deep familiarity relationships with Congressional offices, Executive Branch, Departments, and the federal agencies. She represents the energy sector as a member of NOAA Advisory Committees and Councils, including the Flower Garden Banks NMS Advisory Council, IOOS Federal Advisory Committee, and the NOAA Science Advisory Board. She served on the National Academies Ocean Studies Board and as a representative to the U.S. National Committee for the UN Decade of Ocean Science. 

Dr. Perry has over 15 years of ocean technology research and system implementation and ocean policy experience. She earned a doctorate in Oceanography from Texas A&M University in 2013, joined Shell in 2014, and is based in Houston. 

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
1) Strengthen MTS relationships and partnerships with Congress, Administrations, and federal agencies, particularly by evolving the Society’s role as a trusted advisor and partner for implementing existing and emerging ocean technology priorities and initiatives.

2) Support the Chief Executive Officer and increase influence and reach by developing and executing effective and nimble strategies utilizing and deploying MTS regions, groups (student sections), and the Board in global and national government advocacy.

Discuss the qualities and experience you possess that make you a strong candidate for the position for which you are running:
Government relations and policy expertise
My expertise and experience in the private and public sectors, along with my reputation as a trusted advisor to both political parties and agencies in environmental regulations, stewardship, management, and policy, provides MTS more expertise to drive change. I can support MTS by identifying and acting on opportunities to better utilize our private sector members as advocates, and to accelerate the current trajectory of MTS as a leading society in global and national ocean initiatives. My private sector experience also brings the ability for operationalizing strategy to advance ocean technology opportunities across Congress and the branches of government.

Expand private sector integration and impact
My extensive network within the energy sectors, Gulf of America, and non-governmental organizations can be an asset for helping MTS expand its reach. I hope to better enable MTS in amplifying and expanding current programs and offerings to emerging ocean energy and technology sectors, along with building new and innovative partnerships with governments and institutions to further reach and impact of the society.