Meet the Aquarium Director - July - Dr. Steve Coan, Mystic Aquarium

Name: Dr. Steve Coan 

Actual title: President and CEO

Name of your zoo or aquarium: Sea Research Foundation’s Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

URL for your facility: www.mysticaquarium.org

Number of species at your facility: 340

Your favorite critter at the facility: Our three beluga whales

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 4,893

Number of visitors annually: 800,000

Number of employees: 220

Number of volunteers: 500

Annual budget: $22 million

Degree(s):
B.A. in history and philosophy, Brandeis University
Masters in management, Brandeis University
Ph.D., social policy, Brandeis University

Experience prior to this position: My background is strongly rooted in education. Before coming to Sea Research Foundation, I was the executive director of two non-profit education service organizations, then moved on to become the chief education officer and chief development officer of the JASON Foundation for Education, which is now a division of National Geographic Society. The JASON Foundation connects middle school students with explorers and important events to get them excited about science. While there, I helped create teacher professional development and Internet exploration programs.

I joined Sea Research in 2001 as the vice president of education and co-founder of Immersion Learning, our national education division that brings science and Dr. Robert Ballard’s deep-sea exploration to more than 500,000 students and at-risk youth each year. In 2004, I was named chief operating officer and became president and CEO in 2008.

Favorite part of your job: I very much enjoy working with a talented and passionate staff and learning from them. Every day here provides learning opportunities for me, as well as our guests.

One dream wish for your facility: Our long-term goal is a new research and education center that will further advance our extensive aquatic animal research and bring our findings to guests, peers and students in new, engaging ways.

Family: My family includes my wife Patricia and my three kids, Patrick, 14, Danielle, 8, and Brendan, 5.

Pets at home: Oscar, a wonderful mix of Beagle and Terrier

When you retire, you plan to: Volunteer to work with kids at a Boys and Girls Club