Don Perkins has served as the Founder of Gulf of Maine Research Institute since 1995. He is also a board member at Texas Water Trade and serves as Vida Water Treasurer.
Since 2013, Don has served as the Executive Director of the Harte Charitable Foundation, developing their investments in the stewardship of and sustainable development of the Gulf of Mexico. The Harte Charitable Foundation provided catalytic financial support for the launch of Texas Water Trade. Don has led the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) from start-up to internationally-recognized climate change research and adaptation organization. Along the way, Don has spun off a non-profit real estate holding company, a limited liability company real estate holding company, two limited liability start-up companies, and is now raising a Blue Economy impact investment fund.