Dear friends of PERC:
I am excited to announce that PERC’s Board of Directors appointed my colleague and co-author Lawrence Reed Watson as our new executive director, effective February 15. Reed attended PERC’s undergraduate seminar on free market environmentalism in 2004 and returned as a research intern the next year. Hooked on PERC’s ideas, he left for Duke University where he received a J.D. and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Economics and Policy. After graduating he joined PERC as a research fellow and the Director of Applied Programs in 2008.
Reed is the Director of PERC’s Enviropreneur Institute, co-author of Tapping Water Markets, and author of several law review articles and book chapters. He has mentored visiting students and enviropreneurs and lectured at law schools around the country. Along with his intellect and leadership, Reed brings a love for Montana’s beautiful mountains, where he and his wife Kathryn regularly mountain bike, ski, and hunt.
I am doubly excited about Reed’s appointment because his leadership will allow me to devote more time to my passion for research, writing, and speaking. For the past 20 years, I have had the honor of helping PERC grow into the world’s leading voice of free market environmentalism. I turn over the reins knowing that Reed embodies the best of PERC’s next generation.
PERC heads into 2014 with an exciting agenda. We will continue our research on energy, water markets, and American Indian economies. You can expect a new series of case studies documenting how private conservation enhances the public interest, as well as research exploring ways to improve public land management on the centennial of the National Park Service. There will also be more videos, publications, and connections to PERC via social media. Finally, we have contracted with a publisher to release Free Market Environmentalism for the Next Generation and will continue working with environmental entrepreneurs and policy makers to apply our new ideas.
I move into my new support role knowing that PERC is in good hands with Reed at the helm. Reed and I look forward to keeping you apprised of PERC’s progress and thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Anderson
President
