August 6, 2008 - Does anyone really know what's going on at the aquarium?

August 6, 2008

I don't - except for the fact that I'm not too crazy about getting dolphins at the expense of the sea lions.

A month's worth of high-profile departures from the facility continued this week, and there's been so much managerial upheaval that Georgia Aquarium CEO Mike Leven felt compelled to send this correspondence to his employees (after you get through reading it, though, you probably won't be any clearer on the matter than I am ...)

"Since opening in November 2005, almost eight million people have visited the Georgia Aquarium. Looking to the future, our goal is to have an annual attendance of three million people by 2011. To achieve this goal, we have several aquarium-wide organizational strategies. New programs and animals, including our dolphin expansion, are exciting additions that will support this effort. While new programs and animals will help drive attendance, changes within the organization are necessary to ensure that each department is as effective as possible.

"Anthony Godfrey has been promoted to the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer. He will oversee and manage all of the day to day operations of the Aquarium.

"Within Anthony's department, Deb Parsons has been promoted to Vice President, Human Resources & Cultural Development. Her department has changed its name as it continues to manage and inspire the culture of our workforce, which includes our full-time team members, part-time team members, volunteers, vendors and the developing internship program.

"We have restructured the sales and marketing department. Carey Rountree has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. He is responsible for the development, implementation and management of all sales, marketing, communications, membership and development programs for the Aquarium. He will have five direct reports:

• Vice President, Marketing & Communications

• Vice President, Sales

• Vice President, Development & Membership

• Vice President, Advertising, Exhibits & Creative Services

• Administrative Assistant

"Dave Santucci has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing & Communications. He will be responsible for driving Aquarium attendance, projecting brand recognition and growing our world-wide reputation. This will be accomplished by integrating marketing, promotions, public relations and e-communications. His department will be structured as follows:

• Director, Public Relations - Meghann Gibbons has been promoted from Manager, Communications. She is responsible for managing all media relations and projecting a positive brand image.

• Specialist, Public Relations - This is an open position.

• Coordinator, Public Relations - This is an open position.

• Manager, E-Communications & New Media - Ashley Payne has been promoted from Senior Specialist, Communications. Her department will now focus on the website and the internal and external e-communications. They will also advance the Aquarium's new media initiatives through social media (Facebook, MySpace, blogging, etc.), online multimedia elements and online marketing.

• Specialist, E-Communications & New Media - Michaelanne Dye has been promoted from contract Coordinator, Communications.

• Director, Promotions & Sponsor Activation - This is a new open position. It will be responsible for driving attendance by creating marketing opportunities to promote the Aquarium with presenting sponsors and other companies through promotions and partnerships.

• Specialist, Marketing - This position will be staffed in late 2009.

"Will Ramsey has been promoted to Vice President, Sales. He is responsible for developing and implementing the group sales program which includes generating sales from the tour/travel, corporate, convention/association and social markets in order to generate revenue. He will also continue to oversee the sales of the catered events program including all event services staff and the Wolfgang Puck catering sales team. His department has the following structural changes.

• Senior Manager, Group Sales - John Walker has been promoted from Manager, Group Sales. While still remaining the sales manager for the convention/association markets, he will be responsible for managing our three new remote sales managers.

• Manager, Group Sales Alabama - Marina Sanders

• Manager, Group Sales Carolinas - Jeni Maxwell

• Manager, Group Sales Georgia - Dennis Kemp

"Kristie Cobb has been promoted to Vice President, Development & Membership. She is responsible for all fundraising efforts through sponsors, donors and annual pass sales. She will have the following position added to her team.

• Manager, Membership - This position will be staffed in early 2009. It will oversee the operations and administration of the Aquarium Membership department through on-site sales, web site sales, events, etc.

• Manager, Major Gifts & Planned Giving - This position will be staffed in late 2009. It will develop an annual comprehensive fundraising plan and implement a strategy to secure major gifts.

"Karen Deaton has been promoted to Vice President, Advertising, Exhibits & Creative Services. The current exhibits & graphics department will be moved over and will have new and expanded responsibilities. The department will now be charged with the acquisition and supervision of the advertising services required to carry out our Aquarium programs. Karen will serve as the project manager for all creative work for the Aquarium both internal and external. The department will continue to be responsible for all graphics and exhibit maintenance for the building.

"John Chapman has been promoted to Director, Facilities Maintenance. He will now oversee the Life Support Systems, Environmental Operations and Building Maintenance departments. The Dive Operations Department awill now fall under Zoological Operations. This department is currently being overseen by Dr. Tim Mullican, Director, Veterinary Services until the Senior Vice President, Zoological Operations is hired. It will develop an annual comprehensive fundraising plan and implement a strategy to secure major gifts.

"Karen Deaton has been promoted to Vice President, Advertising, Exhibits & Creative Services. The current exhibits & graphics department will be moved over and will have new and expanded responsibilities. The department will now be charged with the acquisition and supervision of the advertising services required to carry out our Aquarium programs. Karen will serve as the project manager for all creative work for the Aquarium both internal and external. The department will continue to be responsible for all graphics and exhibit maintenance for the building."