Georgia Aquarium Executive Director to Depart
2008-05-14 03:31:59 -
www.georgiaaquarium.org/ - For the Georgia Aquarium Donna E. Fleishman, 770-241-8252 dfleishman@gcigroup.com or Georgia Aquarium Dave Santucci, 404-581-4106 dsantucci@georgiaaquarium.org Jeffery Swanagan, president and executive director of the Georgia Aquarium, has been selected executive director for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Swanagan began his zoo career in 1981 at the Columbus Zoo as a zoo keeper. He was the facility's education director from 1982 to 1987.
Hired in 2000 by Bernie Marcus as the first consultant to the Aquarium, Swanagan became its first employee in 2002. He will join the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium full time in mid-June.
"Jeff Swanagan joined the Georgia Aquarium when it was still just a dream," said Marcus, the founder of the Georgia Aquarium. "He was not only involved with its planning from the very beginning, he helped create its structure and brought aboard qualified people to lead it."
"I've watched him grow over the past six years, and I am very proud that he has been chosen to lead a major facility," Marcus added.
Mike Leven, vice chairman of the Marcus Foundation and a member of the Georgia Aquarium Board of Directors, will serve as acting CEO for the foreseeable future, according to Marcus.
"Mike has been closely involved with the Aquarium on a day-to-day basis for more than three months. His strong background in the hospitality industry will be of great support as we begin our $110 million dolphin expansion this summer," Marcus said.
Swanagan, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from The Ohio State University and earned a Master of Technology and Science Policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
"It's with great excitement that I'm returning to where I began my career," Swanagan said. "Serving as president of the world's largest aquarium has been an incredible experience and I will always be grateful to Bernie Marcus for giving me the opportunity."
Jack Hanna added, "Jeff was responsible for creating the first formal education department at the Columbus Zoo. I'm very excited about his return to Columbus."
Swanagan's prior experience includes executive director and CEO of the Florida Aquarium and deputy zoo director at Zoo Atlanta.
About the Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, is the world's largest with more than eight million gallons of water and the largest collection of aquatic animals. The mission of the Georgia Aquarium is to be an entertaining, educational and scientific institution featuring exhibits and programs of the highest standards; offering engaging and exciting guest experiences promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world. The Georgia Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For additional information, visit www.georgiaaquarium.org.
Returning to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Mentor Jack Hanna
