Meet the Aquarium Director - January, 2010 - Vicki Wawerchak, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Name: Vicki Wawerchak

Actual title: Aquarium Director

Name of your aquarium: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, Heal the Bay’s marine education facility

Location: Santa Monica, California, USA

URL for your facility: www.healthebay.org/smpa

Number of species at your facility: approximately 100

Your favorite critter at the facility: Wow that is a tough one as it changes constantly, but right now I really enjoy our newly hatched swell sharks. I don’t think there is anything cuter!

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: approximately 1,000

Number of visitors annually: 85,000 (15,000 of those are students through our field trip education program)

Number of employees: 11

Number of volunteers: 150

Annual budget: 1 million

Degree: Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology, minor in Chemistry

Experience prior to this position: Educator, Aquarist, Expedition Leader, and Education Manager at various aquaria, marine institutes, environmental education programs, etc.

Favorite part of your job: That I start my day being greeted by large moray eels in our rocky reef exhibit by the front door. I also like the fact that I work with people who are so passionate about the ocean environment.

One dream wish for your facility: To expand into becoming a LEED certified facility. But for now I will wish for the continued support and generosity of the community in helping us achieve our current goals.

Family: I am lucky enough to have two families—the one I was born into with two wonderful sisters, and the one with which I work.

Pets at home: Unfortunately none--darn apartment rules. At least working in this facility allows me to get my fix for my love of animals.

When you retire, you plan to: Oh, I have thought about this a lot. When I retire you will find me sitting on the beach in St John, Virgin Islands drinking a cocktail with a small umbrella in it. I can hear the small waves lapping on the beach right now…