Meet the Aquarium Director - September, 2009 - Howard Rutherford, Pier Aquarium

Name: E. Howard Rutherford

Actual title: President/CEO

Name of your aquarium: The Pier Aquarium

Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A.

URL for your facility: www.pieraquarium.org

Number of species at your facility: 80 fish species and 70 species of coral

Your favorite critter at the facility: Convict Blenny

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 400

Number of visitors annually: 125,000

Number of employees: 16

Number of volunteers:  200

Annual budget: $750,000

Degree(s): BS in Marine Chemistry, Graduate School- Chemical Oceanography

Experience prior to this position: Chemical Oceanographer

Favorite part of your job: Witnessing the look on kid’s faces after an up close and personal experience with our collection of sea animals.

One dream wish for your facility: A successful transition into a state-of-the-art Marine Discovery Center and Aquarium to showcase the exciting research, technology and innovation taking place in our community.

Family: Life partner of 14 years.

Pets at home: Italian Greyhound and inherited Skipperkee

When you retire, you plan to: Volunteer and travel