gemini06027 — Announcement
New Gemini Director Announced
15 February 2006: Dr. Douglas A. Simons has been appointed the next director of the Gemini Observatory effective June 1, 2006. The announcement was made today by Dr. William Smith, President of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). AURA manages the Gemini Observatory under contract with the National Science Foundation on behalf of the partner countries United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Argentina. “I am thrilled that Doug will continue to move Gemini forward to become the leading ground-based astronomical observatory with this appointment,” said AURA President Dr. Bill Smith. Dr. Michael Shull, Chair of the AURA Board, said “Doug’s knowledge and his leadership in the development of Gemini’s current and future instrumentation bode well for the observatory’s future. I am confident that the Gemini partners will benefit greatly from this appointment.” Dr. Simons is preceded by Professor Jean-René Roy who has been the acting director after Gemini’s …