Dr. Karl Wood was named director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute in June 2000 and retired in December 2011. He joined the New Mexico State University faculty in 1979. Prior to his tenure at the WRRI, Karl was assistant department head and range coordinator for NMSU's Department of Animal and Range Sciences. Much of his research over the years has been related to water resources, and for 20 years, he was a member of the Range Improvement Task Force, which provides scientific expertise to help resolve disputes over management of water and other natural resources.

At the WRRI he has represented New Mexico State University as chair of the Lower Rio Grande Water Users Organization, co-chair of the New Mexico-Texas Water Commission, and chair of the regional Paso del Norte Water Task Force.