David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. was named executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department today at a special meeting of the TPW Commission in Austin, Texas. Yoskowitz is currently the senior executive director and Endowed Chair for Socioeconomics at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Commissioners took action to accept the recommendation of the search committee in a public meeting. The search committee included TPW Commission Chairman Arch Aplin, and commissioners Anna Galo, Jeffery Hildebrand, and Oliver Bell.

“As an avid outdoorsman, David lives the mission of TPWD,” said Chairman Arch “Beaver” Aplin III. His business and economic acumen in the field of our cultural and natural resources will suit TPWD perfectly. David will continue a culture of inclusion with stakeholders and staff at the agency. Sixteen years at the Harte Institute in Corpus Christi has been a wonderful training ground preparing David to be our new executive director. Carter Smith will be missed immensely, but I could not be happier handing off the baton to David Yoskowitz.”

At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Yoskowitz served in many roles including professor of environmental economics, associate director for research, policy and development, Endowed Chair for Socioeconomics, and since 2020 the senior executive director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI). His experience as an economist and his interest in critical environmental and natural resource issues paved the way for collaboration with natural science colleagues to study the links between environmental and human well-being with a particular focus on the resilience of the Gulf of Mexico region. During his time in Corpus Christi, Yoskowitz and the HRI team of scientists and researchers worked to develop science-based solutions for pressing fisheries, watershed, coastal, and ocean challenges.

“It’s such an honor to join the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a privilege to work alongside the talented women and men throughout the agency that dedicate themselves to conserving the natural and cultural resources, and the outdoor legacies, that make Texas such a special place,” Yoskowitz said. “As a lifelong outdoorsman, a father, and someone who has spent the last several years of my career working toward creating a better future for the Gulf of Mexico, the TPWD mission is near and dear to my heart. I am incredibly grateful for the work I’ve done for the last 16 years at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies and at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and that work has really been about developing the science, as well as some of the solutions, that help support TPWD’s mission and philosophy. I’m so excited to now be a part of the implementation of that science for present and future generations of Texans.”

Yoskowitz’s passion for pursuing connection with the natural environment reaches back to younger years when he fought forest fires and gained an appreciation for the connection between humans and nature. Yoskowitz spent much of his career as a leader on the Texas A&M Corpus Christi campus, with research extending his presence through much of North and Central America including Cuba, Nicaragua, Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico.

“This is bittersweet news for the Island University, as Dr. Yoskowitz has been an integral part of a highly successful and dedicated team at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI),” said Dr. Kelly M. Miller, President & CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC). “At the same, this is an amazing opportunity for him, and his appointment to such a prestigious role brings a great deal of pride to our campus. We appreciate his service and look forward to a continued relationship with him in his new role.”

Yoskowitz served as the chief economist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2014 – 2015) where he helped develop the agency’s first Social Science Vision and Strategy.  He also served on the National Research Council Committee on the Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Mississippi Canyon-252 Oil Spill on Ecosystem Services in the Gulf of Mexico. He previously sat on the Socioeconomic Scientific and Statistical Committee for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. He serves on the Board of Directors of Indifly, an organization dedicated to using recreational fisheries to create sustainable livelihoods for indigenous peoples around the world.

Yoskowitz earned a Ph.D. in Economics and an M.A. in Economics from Texas Tech University, and a B.S. in Economics and Finance from Bentley College.

Carter Smith, TPWD’s current executive director, announced his retirement in June after almost 15 years of leading the department. Smith’s retirement will be effective in January 2023. Yoskowitz will be working closely with Smith, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, and other TPWD executive staff on transitioning into the role in the coming months.

With Fiscal Year 2022 in the books, the Railroad Commission continued its track record of surpassing critical goals that help protect public safety and the environment while also helping the state maximize the use of its natural resources.

The RRC – which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry; critical natural gas infrastructure; intrastate pipelines; the alternative fuels LNG, CNG and LPG; and surface mining of coal and uranium – is held to a high standard by the Texas Legislature through annual performance goals.

From plugging abandoned oil and gas wells to conducting inspections and facilitating an increase in drilling permits, RRC’s staff in Austin and district offices across the state exceeded important goals to protect communities – all during a year in which international conflict amplified the importance of the state’s energy production.

“RRC staff’s strong performance helped keep Texans’ safe, while at the same time ensuring the vital oil and gas industry continued to support national and international energy demand and boosted the Texas economy,” said Wei Wang, RRC Executive Director. “We continue to leverage cutting edge technology such as artificial intelligence and drones to improve efficiency for staff and operators, and we will use our experience to extend our success through the next year.”

Legislative goals the RRC exceeded in FY 22 include:

RRC staff is already hard at work in Fiscal Year 2023. The agency’s new Critical Infrastructure Division will conduct first-of-its kind weatherization inspections, and the Oil and Gas Division will plug even more wells using federal grants.

Governor Greg Abbott today congratulated Rio Grande Valley Linking Economic and Academic Development (RGV LEAD) for its work in developing education and industry partnerships that help students set and achieve college and career goals for an educated and highly skilled workforce in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Texas continues to attract new jobs and new business investments thanks to our skilled and growing workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “The Rio Grande Valley is particularly well poised for continuing economic expansion. Meeting the changing needs of employers in the RGV and across the state is paramount to ensure ongoing job growth. I thank RGV LEAD for taking the lead in growing education and industry partnerships that inspire and empower students to succeed. Our state thrives when opportunity is abundant, and working together, we are building an even brighter future for all Texans.”

Speaking on Governor Abbott’s behalf on Wednesday at “The State of Education and Industry in the Rio Grande Valley” panel hosted by RGV LEAD, Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, noted the region’s significant contribution to the state’s economy.

“We are proud to work alongside our partners in the Rio Grande Valley to foster continued economic growth and promote workforce development opportunities,” said Executive Director Cruz. “In Texas, our highly skilled, diverse workforce — more than 14.5 million strong — provides job-ready talent across the state. And thanks to the efforts of organizations like RGV LEAD, Texas will continue to develop the workforce of the future.”

The goal of the RGV LEAD event was to share information on how the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and other state agencies are working together to promote and expand high-demand occupations in the Rio Grande Valley. Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. delivered closing remarks.

RGV LEAD develops and manages collaborative projects that bring employers and educators together to help students set and achieve college and career goals for an educated and highly skilled Rio Grande Valley prepared for the global workforce.

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism is charged with marketing and promoting the state of Texas as a premier business location and travel destination and works closely with regional and community partners to ensure Texas remains the top state for business in the nation. Under Governor Abbott’s leadership, Texas continues to set new records for total employment and jobs. Texas has remained the Best State for Business for a record 18 years in a row and received the Governor’s Cup for the most job-creating corporate relocation and expansion projects for the last 10 consecutive years.