DRI's Newest Division Director is Happy for the Chance to Look at Atmospheric Research from all Angles

 

Dr. Kent Hoekman

For Dr. Kent Hoekman, the recently appointed executive director of DRI's Division of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS), leaving a 21-year career with Chevron has meant freedom from the long commutes and hectic pace of life in the San Francisco Bay area. But in addition to a faster trip to the office (it's less than 10 minutes from his home to DRI's Northern Nevada Science Center in Reno) he also has a bit more freedom once he arrives. "In private industry there are inherent limits, a narrowing of where you can focus your energies. At DRI, there's naturally more freedom of scope, and the opportunity to explore more environmental issues."

During his years with Chevron, Hoekman studied motor vehicle emissions and fuel formulation. He eventually found himself out of the lab and into the arena of public policy, where he advised agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board on emission control policy and air quality issues.

"Interacting with regulators, the oil companies, all the various players, was intellectually very stimulating," he notes. "Really, it's what brought me to DRI - a chance to bring this mix of science, politics, and policy-making together in a research environment."

As director of DAS, that research environment includes scientists studying basic atmospheric processes, air quality, vehicle emissions, climate modeling, and meteorology. And, though Hoekman's background is in industry, he says it's really not so different. "All my research was driven by air pollution issues, just like much of what we are doing at DAS. Environmental problems are environmental problems, wherever you are."

Hoekman sees his years of policy experience giving an already strong division a vital boost. "I think I can help them put a little more energy into policy issue debates, to see more of the good science being done here, ultimately, have an impact in the policy arena. That could be climate change, for example, or Las Vegas air quality, or renewable energy issues - so many things."

Yes, the freedom of a short commute and expanded role in his job is a welcome change for Hoekman, just as his expertise is a welcome addition to DRI's research efforts.

- Jackie Allen