OdySea Aquarium competitors

Dr. Brian Davis is Georgia Aquarium’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Davis brings with him more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles within zoological and educational institutions, having previously held positions at Georgia Aquarium on two separate occasions. Dr. Davis first joined the Georgia Aquarium team prior to its founding in 2003, as the Director of Education, later served as the Aquarium’s Vice President of Education and then most recently as Executive Vice President of Operations. Prior to Dr. Davis’s most recent role at Georgia Aquarium, he served as President and CEO of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, where he oversaw the enhancement of the Aquarium’s footprint. Dr. Davis has also served in both teaching and administrative roles in Cobb County’s school system, and spent time developing education programs at both New York Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta. Dr. Davis has authored and co-authored papers related to science education, aquariums and other science related topics. He has served as an Adjunct Professor for Schools of Education at Georgia State University and Mercer University, and has served on the Boards of Directors for Centennial Place Elementary School, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Open Door Shelter, NorwalkACTS, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A New Jersey native, Dr. Davis has fond memories of enjoying family vacations at the shore, where his lifelong passion for the ocean was ignited. Dr. Davis graduated from Rutgers University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, later earning both a Masters of Education and his Ph.D. in Secondary Science Education at Georgia State University.

Mission-focused executive-level leadership at major New England cultural institution, including 14 years as CEO. Built and led STEM-learning educational foundation, in collaboration with National Geographic. Strategist and brand builder with expertise in forming public-private partnerships, community relations, organizational development, fundraising, and financial management. Experience managing $25M budget and 900 FTE/volunteer staff. Fundraiser with experience building national, state, and local support, engaging volunteers and stakeholders. Business development expert. Skilled in strategy, program creation, partnership building, community/government relations, and talent development. Successes • Enhanced Mystic Aquarium brand to boost attendance to 800K in 5 years, raised $150M in funding, restructured long-term debt, expanded facilities and exhibits, and slashed deferred maintenance by 75%. • Built JASON Learning through national museum partnerships, award-winning curriculum, and collaboration with ExxonMobil, Sun Microsystems, National Geographic, NOAA, NASA, and other federal agencies. • Led creation and ongoing funding of New England Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Sanctuary, serving as initiative advisor to Obama and Trump administrations. • Built renowned marine science research program and established partnership between Mystic Aquarium and University of Connecticut for funding, laboratories, and educational programming. • Established socially critical, solidly funded after-school STEM program to help \'latchkey children\' in partnership with US DOE and state government leaders and school districts in RI, LA, TX, MI, and CT. Brand Building | Organizational Development | Mission Expansion | Strategic Planning | Program Development | Strategic Partnerships & Alliances | Fundraising | Financial Management | Startups | Turnarounds | International Programs | Board Relations | Volunteer Management | Talent Development | Facilities Expansion | Public Policy