Bob McCoy's first decade at the GI

Robert McCoy became director of the GI on Oct. 14, 2011. We asked a few GI people to share their thoughts about some of the important things he's accomplished in those 10 years.

• Diversity is important to Bob, as is having a safe and professional working environment. He has worked to hire more women into leadership positions at the GI. For example, he hired Cathy Cahill as director of ACUASI, Kathe Rich as director of Poker Flat, Nettie La Belle-Hamer as the first female GI deputy director ever, with a focus on growing research, Gwen Bryson as manager of RCS, Jessica Larsen as associate director, Jenn Delamere at GINA, Lillian Misel as executive officer, Jessica Matthews as manager of HAARP, as well as others. 

• He wanted to make science on UAF's West Ridge more visible, so he championed the sounding rocket from PFRR in the park mall in front of Elvey, and the Planet Walk extending all the way across campus.

• Five letters: HAARP. I’m pretty impressed that he stuck to his guns and has been able to keep the facility going. And now it has a new lease on life and may well be self-sustaining.

• When he came here Bob recognized that in general the GI was working and has let it continue. After a while he started pushing in new directions, but he did it in conjunction with the researchers, not as a top-down proclamation. 

• Bob's optimism has been a strength through all the challenges of the last decade. He has seen opportunities where others might have just seen the problems. His optimism hasn't prevented him from tackling sticky problems as they have arisen.

• His commitment to supporting scientists getting started in their careers has been remarkable.

• Bob's establishing the GI awards ceremony has allowed us to celebrate the accomplishments of GI leaders at all stages — students, staff and faculty; young, mid-career, senior and emeriti.

• Bob is absolutely unswayable in his efforts to build community across the institute. This is difficult thankless work. But whether it is Poker Pig Roasts or awards ceremonies, these things matter. We are a bunch of introverted science nerds, and we need people like Bob to continually remind us that there is more than one floor in the Elvey building!

• It is a hard thing for a leader to bring honest and sincere optimism when things around you are not going well. The university has been in difficult times during most of Bob's tenure. And yet month after month, Bob beams with honest enthusiasm for the GI. Lots of leaders can say the right words. But Bob's sincerity is what makes this work.

• I have met countless times with Bob over the decade. I am pretty sure that every one of those conversations has ended with Bob saying "Just let me know what I can do to help." I am not sure what else I would want in a boss.

• Bob is a champion of people and research groups trying new research avenues and expanding their capabilities.

• Bob is an advocate for the mid-career faculty and staff who contribute greatly to the reputation and financial health of GI, but do not get the recognition they deserve for their tireless efforts.

• Bob has a wry sense of humor and can fluently quote from Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, Austin Powers, and other cultural institutions.  He has two cats, a brother and sister, named Luke and Leia.

• According to ACUASI’s Army veterans, “For an Air Force guy he isn’t a bad leader.”

• Bob almost single-handedly saved HAARP. The HAARP report that Bob convinced the National Academy of Sciences to produce was an important component in Bob’s save HAARP campaign. Cathy Cahill observed the key meeting in which Bob convinced Senator Murkowski’s staff, using that report and other information, that HAARP really was worth saving. If Bob had not succeeded in that meeting, HAARP was dead.

• Bob strongly supports graduate education and the GI’s graduate students.

• Bob is a tireless advocate for GI and the science performed by its outstanding students, staff, and faculty. 

• Bob was instrumental in advancing a number of large initiatives over the past 10 years, including the UARC and HAARP. These initiatives would not have been possible without his support!

• In addition to supporting large-scale projects, Bob has also always been open and responsive to individual student, staff, and faculty concerns.

• Of particular note in his interactions with GI personnel is his line “How can I make your job easier?” He has in fact made our jobs easier and more successful over the past 10 years!

      

If you would like to congratulate Bob on this milestone, please add your message to the virtual greeting card we’ve started here. Click “+ Add to board” just below the headline and you can add a photo, GIF, or personalized video, along with your printed message. The card will be delivered to Bob’s email inbox at noon Thursday, so please add your message before then.

Download the Geophysical Quarterly publication from 2011 with the announcement of Bob McCoy's appointment as director of the GI here.