Thomas R. Crane
Program Manager
Resource Management
tcrane@glc.org

Tom Crane joined the Commission staff in 1986 and has more than 22 years of Great Lakes research/policy experience. Crane manages the Resource Management Program, the purpose of which is to “promote the informed use, management and protection of the water, land, air and related natural resources of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system.” Crane has program development, oversight and management responsibilities for the Resource Management area that includes numerous distinct projects and supports the work of six full or part-time staff members. Crane recently served as Interim Executive Director from March 2005 through June 2006. In this capacity Crane was responsible for the programmatic direction and staff leadership for the Commission including a range of organizational duties related to communication, coordination, facilitation, policy research and advocacy activities to advance the collective interests of the Commission’s members.

Crane has also served as a member of the Michigan Sea Grant Policy Committee, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Nonpoint Source Strategy Team, the International Joint Commission’s Advisory Group on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Review Public Consultations, and the Great Lakes Futures Roundtable. He was founding member of the Michigan State Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and served terms as board secretary and board treasurer with the organization.

Crane’s previous work includes positions with the Great Lakes Basin Commission, NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and several years of NGO experience in Virginia and Missouri where Crane directed two citizen environmental groups. Crane holds a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources and a master's degree in Water Resources Management from the University of Michigan.