Tom Crane joined the Great Lakes Commission in 1986 and has over 40 years of Great Lakes research, coordination and policy experience. As director emeritus, Crane serves a variety of ongoing roles in support of the GLC as a whole.

Previously, Crane served as deputy director of the GLC from 2008 through 2025, at which point he retired from full-time service. As deputy director, he was responsible for overseeing many of the administrative, operational, human resources, financial and programmatic functions of the agency.

Crane has also served twice as interim executive director (2005-2006 and 2017-2018), resource management program manager (1990-2004; 2006-2008) and natural resources program specialist (1986-1990).

Before joining the Commission, Crane’s previous work included 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-based environmental groups. Crane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resources and a Master of Science degree in water resources management from the University of Michigan.

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