George Bonner

Bio

George Bonner serves as North Carolina’s Director of Renewable Ocean Energy leading research and development of marine energy solutions across University of North Carolina system. Following retirement from a 30-year career in the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) in July 2019, Bonner returned home to his new position at the Coastal Studies Institute on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Captain Bonner’s USCG career included command assignments as Commander, USCG Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center and Commanding Officer of USCG Facilities Design and Construction Center. Throughout his career, he has led strategic efforts to enhance coastal infrastructure resiliency and sustainability while adapting to a changing climate. Captain Bonner served on the Steering Committee for the White House’s Inter-Governmental Pilot to adopt a Whole of Government and Community approach to sea level rise challenges.
Captain Bonner is a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy. He has a Master of Science in Engineering from University of Illinois and a Graduate Certificate in Coastal Engineering from Old Dominion.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF INTERESTS:
Interested in holistic approaches to support energy transitions and complementing renewables with marine energy solutions. Co-Director for DOE’s Atlantic Marine Energy Consortium focused on research and testing to support commercialization of marine energy solutions in blue economy.

As a Regional Community Partner (Southeast US) for DOE’s Energy Transition Infrastructure Partnership Project (ETIPP), interested in resilience for islands and remote coastal communities.

https://www.coastalstudiesinstitute.org/ncroep/