Jones to head SeaLife Center
Tara Riemer Jones
Dr. Tara Riemer Jones was named the new president and CEO of Alaska SeaLife Center on by the organization’s board of directors, the center wrote in a press release.
Jones has served in an interim role of president and CEO since November 2011, when former CEO Ian Dutton accepted a position as vice president of the Rasmuson Foundation. An employee of the center and a Seward resident since 2003, Jones was most recently the center’s chief operating officer.
“I am delighted to say that the board of directors unanimously selected Dr. Jones following a thorough and diligent national search process,” said Board Chairman Stephen T. Grabacki. “It has been a distinct pleasure to have worked with Tara during her interim tenure, and I look forward to working together to advance the center in the years to come.”
Prior to joining the Alaska SeaLife Center in 2003, Jones worked as a strategic management consultant for McKinsey and Company in Boston and Auckland, New Zealand. She holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the talented and dedicated team at the Alaska SeaLife Center,” said Jones. “I hope to build on my existing community and state-wide relationships to increase the relevance of the center to the people, companies, and visitors of Alaska. While financial challenges must be addressed, we must not lose sight of the center’s mission which is vital for sustaining Alaska’s marine ecosystems.”
The Alaska SeaLife Center is a private non-profit research institution and visitor attraction which generates and shares scientific knowledge to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems. The Alaska SeaLife Center is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For information visit www.alaskasealife.org.