Meet The Aquarium Director - January - Lynn Clements, Virginia Aquarium

Name: Lynn Clements 

Actual title: Executive Director

Name of your zoo or aquarium: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

URL for your facility: www.VirginiaAquarium.com

Number of species at your facility: 714

Your favorite critter at the facility: Sea Turtles because they are on exhibit for the public to enjoy and learn from. We also rescue around a dozen live turtles annually through our Stranding Response Team. When you get the opportunity to release a rehabbed turtle, you zero in on why you work on behalf of the animals.

Total number of animals or fish and species at your facility: The Restless Planet renovation of our twenty year old exhibits will open in Spring 2009 and will add 6000 new animals and 367 new species to our existing 6000 animals and 347 species for a total of approximately 12,000 animals in 714 species that are under our care.

Number of visitors annually: 612,000

Number of employees: 76 full time and about 65 more full time equivalents during the busy summer season

Number of volunteers: nearly a 1,000 – we could not operate without them!

Annual budget: $10 million, this includes the Virginia Aquarium and its foundation

Degree(s): Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia – Master of Science, Education (December, 1980); Bachelor of Science, Biology (May, 1976)

Experience prior to this position: I have been with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, (previously the Virginia Marine Science Museum) since 1985. I was hired as a Museum Education Specialist and have worked my way up the ranks, serving as the Director for Education, Marketing and Operations, and as Deputy Director. Since January 2002 I have served as Executive Director of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. I also serve as the Director of the City of Virginia Beach Department of Museums. Previously, I was a public school science educator.

Favorite part of your job: I get a real kick out of connecting with community-minded folks who give us funds because they believe in what we are doing. That’s very rewarding.

One dream wish for your facility: Our 89-acre campus is ready for a master plan that will include research facilities, another exhibition building, and maybe a “Sea School” for children. There are many opportunities for us to reach our “conservation through education” mission.

Family: Husband Carl, daughter Leslie 23 and son Reid 26 and his wife Angie

Pets at home: Daisy, Duchess of Portsmouth, a Maltese. She filled my empty nest after my daughter went to grad school. Also have a 30 gallon freshwater aquarium and an outdoor Koi pond.

When you retire, you plan to: Continue to help non-profits advance their missions.