HOUSTON, TX (July 14, 2021)—The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), a nonprofit research hub providing independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues, today announces that John Hall is named the new president and chief executive officer and extends its appreciation and best wishes to Lisa Gonzalez, the outgoing president and chief executive officer who assumed the role in 2016. Hall’s employment with HARC will commence on August 16, 2021.
Prior to joining HARC, Hall chaired the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the predecessor agency to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). His key accomplishments there were to merge environmental programs from several state agencies to form the TNRCC, create a framework to manage the Edwards Aquifer that was subsequently enacted into state statute, establish Texas’ first Task Force to identify and assess environmental justice issues, and develop and implement a set of pollution prevention initiatives that catalyzed major reductions in air toxics and hazardous waste in the state. Hall also left a lasting legacy at TCEQ with the creation of the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program.
Gonzalez is leaving HARC to join the National Audubon Society as Vice President and Executive Director of Texas, where she will work to connect sustainability issues to Audubon’s mission to protect birds and the places they need using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.
“I am very proud of all that HARC has accomplished and am grateful to HARC’s staff, Board of Directors, and many partners,” said Gonzalez. “I know HARC will continue to advance its organizational mission in ways that will make communities more resilient, and John is exactly the right person to lead the organization into the future.”
From 1996 to 2010, Hall also led a public affairs agency where he helped clients address ozone non-attainment challenges in the Houston-Galveston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas. During that time, he also served as Executive Director of the Texas Environmental Research Consortium (TERC) at HARC.
“John is the right leader for HARC’s future,” said Todd Mitchell, HARC’s Chairman of the Board. “His extensive environmental policy background and community engagement skills will help HARC strengthen partnerships, develop strategic alliances and expand our presence in communities across the state of Texas. We believe his strong leadership experience will help HARC ensure its continued success as an unbiased arbiter of evidence-based, policy-related environmental research.”
More recently, Hall served in leadership roles at Environmental Defense Fund and led the advocacy organization’s clean energy efforts in ten of the largest states in the nation and vehicle electrification initiatives in Texas. HARC has had the honor of working with Hall for 20 years through his work with TERC and as a former member of HARC’s Board of Directors.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve HARC in this new role and to work alongside and this outstanding team that is uncovering solutions to our region’s and world’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said Hall. “As an organization, it is uniquely positioned as a data-driven think tank that informs on climate related impacts. The team of experts are thoughtful and lead with integrity; our projects are pragmatic and seek to offer solutions in an effective and meaningful way.”
About HARC
HARC is a nonprofit research hub providing independent analysis on energy, air and water issues to people seeking scientific answers. Its research activities support the implementation of policies and technologies that promote sustainability based on scientific principles. HARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization building a sustainable future in which people thrive and nature flourishes. For further information, contact HARC at (281) 364-6000 or visit www.HARCresearch.org. Connect with HARC, via Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Like or follow @HARCresearch.
