09 Jul Charles Gorecki selected to lead UND’S EERC
Charles Gorecki, director of subsurface research and development with the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center for the past four years, will succeed Tom Erickson as EERC CEO beginning Aug. 1. Photo by Kari Suedel/EERC.
Charles Gorecki today was named CEO of the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) by UND Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas DiLorenzo.
Gorecki has been with the EERC for 12 years, the last four of which were as director of subsurface research and development. He succeeds current CEO Tom Erickson, who is stepping down to lead the State Energy Research Center (SERC) initiative at the EERC. Gorecki will begin his duties as CEO on Aug. 1.
DiLorenzo met with EERC employees and external clients and stakeholders over the last several weeks to determine the best path forward for the EERC after Erickson announced June 11 that he would transition to a new position with SERC.
“I am truly excited to accept this new role as CEO,” said Gorecki. “The strength of the EERC is, and always has been, the people and the team. It is an honor to lead this team and continue to build on our success.”
Charles Gorecki
Gorecki began his career with the EERC as a research engineer in 2007, working on carbon dioxide storage, enhanced oil recovery-related projects and reservoir engineering. He then served as a research manager and senior research manager, leading the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership (PCOR) program. This multi-million-dollar program focused on assessing the technical and economic feasibility of capturing and storing CO2 emissions from stationary sources in the northern Great Plains. He was part of the EERC leadership team for the last four years.
Gorecki served in the Minnesota and North Dakota Army National Guard for nine years. He’s a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed to Iraq with 141st Engineer Battalion’s Company B out of Jamestown, N.D. He holds a B.S. degree in geological engineering from UND.
Gorecki thanked the provost and the EERC leadership team for their confidence in selecting him to lead the center. He pledged to continue to strengthen relationships within the EERC, with UND, within the state and both nationally and internationally.
“I realize that I have much to learn from all of you as I take on this role, but I am thankful to have Tom as a mentor and continuing on here in a new role,” he told EERC employees.
The State Energy Research Center established by the North Dakota Legislature earlier this year will operate at the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center to conduct research aimed at developing the state’s energy resources cleanly and efficiently. Image courtesy of EERC.
Access to experts
Under an initiative passed by the North Dakota Legislature earlier this year, research conducted through SERC is intended to facilitate the development and use of the state’s energy resources in a clean, efficient manner. The EERC will provide access to energy experts who provide timely scientific and engineering studies in support of North Dakota’s interests. SERC will also engage in education and outreach activities related to energy resources.
SERC will receive $5 million per biennium to conduct exploratory, transformational and innovative research that advances future energy opportunities to benefit North Dakota’s economy and environment. Under the legislation, 1 percent of oil and gas production and oil extraction tax revenues are allocated to fund SERC.