Meet the Aquarium Director - October 2009 - Brent V. Andersen, The Living Planet Aquarium

Name: Brent V. Andersen

Actual title: Founder/CEO

Name of your aquarium: The Living Planet Aquarium

Location: Sandy, Utah, U.S.A.

URL for your facility: www.thelivingplanet.com

Number of species at your facility: approximately 267

Your favorite critter at the facility: Our Giant Pacific Octopus

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: approximately 1,250

Number of visitors annually: 332,000 (2009)

Number of employees: 63

Number of volunteers: 10 and growing

Annual budget: 2.9 million

Degree(s): Marine Biologist - University of California Santa Barbara

Experience prior to this position: Biochemist - Santa Barbara Cancer Research Company

Favorite part of your job: Creating new exhibits for everyone to enjoy

One dream wish for your facility: A South American Penguin Exhibit

Family: Do my dogs count as family? People say I spoil them like kids.

Pets at home: Two dogs: Basenji breeds named Keeley and Jakuta

When you retire, you plan to: Live in a hut in Fiji