ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Arthur as its new Executive Director.  He will be joining AGI on August 1, 2021. Dr. Arthur comes to AGI from the Florida Geological Survey, where he most recently served as Director and State Geologist.

"Geoscience expertise is needed to address many societal issues, including climate change, the energy transition, infrastructure, and water and mineral resources. At the same time, we face a shortage of geoscientists entering the workforce, and we have work to do on the social justice front," Dr. Arthur said upon accepting the appointment. "I am both thrilled and honored to join the AGI team in this time of transition and opportunity, and I look forward to working with geoscience societies on these issues."
 
"Dr. Arthur brings to AGI a wealth of leadership experience and vision to the geosciences," notes AGI President Dr. David R. Wunsch. "His innovations at both the state and national levels have long served to advance the geoscience enterprise. Dr. Arthur was selected from among an excellent slate of candidates, which is a reflection of the high regard that exists for AGI within the geoscience community and beyond."

"Dr. Arthur is a positive leader with a passion for advancing the geosciences," adds current AGI Interim Executive Director Sharon Tahirkheli. "We are excited to see him take the helm at AGI and are confident that the Institute under his leadership will be well positioned to thrive in the years to come."

Serving as Director of the Florida Geological Survey since 2009, Dr. Arthur has emphasized business strategy, fiscal planning, communications, applied geoscience, data access, innovation, and survey sustainability. While at the survey, he played key roles in a variety of scientific, management, and leadership positions, and often advised state and federal programs, as well as service on the Water Science Technology Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Dr. Arthur has served the geoscience community in leadership posts as President of the Association of American State Geologists and President of the Florida Association of Professional Geologists. As a former member of the AGI Board of Directors, he served on various committees, including the Strategic Outlook Committee.

Dr. Arthur has received recognition for research, leadership, and public service from geoscience organizations including the Geological Society of America and the American Institute of Professional Geologists. He earned his Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1994.

About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional associations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.

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AGI Contact:
Geoff Camphire, Associate Director, Communications
gac@americangeosciences.org