DRI NEWS RELEASE
Dr. Terry Surles led technology integration and policy analysis at Hawaii Natural Energy Institute
DRI President Dr. Stephen Wells announced today that Terry Surles, Ph.D, who has a distinguished background in energy development and research, has been appointed as Executive Vice President for Research, beginning on August 1.
“I have great confidence in Terry’s ability to promote and advocate for DRI’s research and development activities, both internally and externally,” Wells said. “Dr. Surles has had an impressive career in research program development and soft money environments which will greatly benefit DRI.”
Surles comes to DRI after having served as the Technology Integration and Policy Analysis Program Manager at the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute. He was also the senior adviser to the University of California’s California Institute for Energy and Environment for five years. From 2003-2004 he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research and continues to serve as Director.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work at DRI,” Surles said. “I believe the institute is poised for growth as a leader in alternative energy, hydrological research, climate change research, and analyses of ecological changes and impacts.”
Pending approval of his three-year contract by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, Surles will receive $235,000 annually and is subject to the mandatory 4.6 percent salary reduction with the corresponding unpaid furlough.
Some of the positions he has held in his career include Electric Power Research Institute Vice President; Public Interest Energy Research Program Director, California Energy Commission member; and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Programs. He was also at Argonne National Laboratory for nearly 20 years including serving as the General Manager for Environmental Programs.
Surles received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Michigan State in 1970. He has more than 200 publications, technical reports and presentations to his credit.
He has served or is serving on a number of national committees, including three appointments with the National Academy of Sciences and continues to serve as a reviewer for government agencies, including the US Department of Energy. He has also worked with a number of organizations, including the Economic Development Alliance for Hawaii, the East-West Center, Enterprise Honolulu, the Gas Technology Institute, and the State of Victoria.
