In early May, Robert Snyder was appointed Director of Programs at the Island Institute. Snyder joined the Institute in 2002 as the Grants Manager and became the Development Director in 2004. At the Institute, the Programs Director is responsible for Island Fellows, Marine Programs, the Island Schools program and a community grants program. Snyder has written on working waterfront issues for Working Waterfront while assisting in the development of working waterfront initiatives. His interests in rural development have led to research on international development in China, eco-tourism in Costa Rica, food and culture in rural U.S. Chinese restaurants, and human dimensions research in U.S. forests. Snyder earned his BA in cultural anthropology from Colorado State University and his MA in cultural anthropology from the University of Calgary. He replaces former Programs Director Nathan Michaud.