NEW ORLEANS – Executive Director Justin Ehrenwerth announced he is leaving the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to become president and chief executive of The Water Institute of the Gulf.
Following the announcement by the institute, Kara Lankford, interim director of Ocean Conservancy’s Gulf Restoration Program, issued the following statement to applaud Ehrenwerth for his service:
“Ocean Conservancy would like to thank Justin Ehrenwerth for his service as executive director to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council these last three years.
“Ehrenwerth’s leadership in government has been extraordinary, bringing together diverse constituencies such as fishermen, environmental nonprofits and communities from Brownsville, TX to Key West, FL.
“During his tenure, the council was able to draft and update its comprehensive plan, approve $156 million in initial projects to restore the Gulf and commit to a science-based, transparent process for selecting projects. He also guided the council through the process of setting up a new federal-state partnership, ensuring that federal and state agencies work together to restore the Gulf as a whole, rather than piecemeal.
“We thank Ehrenwerth and his excellent team for their hard work and dedication and we stand ready to support the council in this time of transition.”
