02-20-2013, 07:10 PM
Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory, will move to President Emeritus status in May after 27 years of leadership at one of Sarasota's most well-known nonprofit organizations. The change was announced jointly by Dr. Mahadevan and the Board of Trustees today.
Dr. Mahadevan will continue to work for Mote as a strong advocate and ambas
or in the role of President Emeritus for at least the next two years to enable a smooth transition to new leadership. He will assist the new CEO in promoting and developing support for Mote's world-class research and education programs.
At the strong recommendation of Dr. Mahadevan, Mote's Board of Trustees has decided to appoint Dr. Michael Crosby, the Lab's Senior Vice President for Research, to the role of President and CEO. These changes will become official May 16, following Mote's annual Board of Trustees meeting.
Dr. Mahadevan said assuming non-operational duties will allow him to spend more time with his family. "I've been thinking about slowing down for several years now," he said. "My wife and I would like to travel. We have grandchildren that we want to spend time with - it's time."
Dr. Mahadevan joined Mote in 1978 as a senior scientist and he has served as CEO since taking the helm in 1986. He has been the Lab's longest-serving leader in the organization's 58-year history.
"Kumar's tenure at Mote has been transformative," said Bob Carter, Chairman of Mote's Board of Trustees. "Under his leadership, Mote has grown from a small research group to a full-fledged scientific laboratory with a reputation for excellence - not just here locally or in Florida, but nationally and internationally as well. Mote has also gained a public aquarium that today is one of the region's most popular attractions. We are deeply appreciative of his contributions and excited that he will continue to support Mote as the national scientific treasure that it has become."
Carter continued: "We're also pleased to be able to announce Kumar's successor: Dr. Michael Crosby. He brings decades of science leadership experience to the organization and he shares in Mote's commitment to conservation and the sustainable use of our environmental resources. As a Board, we've been impressed with his direction of the Lab's many research programs over the last few years and we're confident that he can help guide Mote's future direction."
When Dr. Mahadevan became CEO of Mote, the Lab's annual operating budget was about $2 million, and there were 52 staff members. Today, the Lab's annual operating budget is more than $17 million and there are 192 staff members, including 31 Ph.D.-level scientists who are leaders in their fields. The Lab's estimated economic impact to the community is in excess of $70 million.
In addition to the growth in staff and research scope, during Dr. Mahadevan's tenure, Mote's physical presence also grew. Today, the Lab's main Sarasota campus sits on 10.5-acres on City Island and includes the popular Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory, which is one of the most-visited attractions in Southwest Florida.
The organization also includes a 200-acre Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County, research field stations on Pine Island in Charlotte Harbor and Summerland Key in the Florida Keys, satellite offices in Punta Gorda and Boca Grande and a second public outreach exhibit dedicated to coral reefs in the Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.
During his leadership, Dr. Mahadevan has been a tireless champion for Mote and for the importance of gaining better scientific knowledge of the marine environment - and sharing that knowledge with the public.
"One of the things I've been most proud of during my time at Mote has been our dedication to combining outreach and education with our scientific research," Mahadevan said. "Bill Mote (the Lab's namesake) always stressed to me the importance of sharing our work with the community and I'm proud that we've been able to do that. Today, we have more than 250 cutting-edge research projects, a great public Aquarium, informative K-12 education programs that reach more than 25,000 students annually and we count more than 10,000 people as members and supporters. However, our mission could not be realized without the efforts of our talented, passionate staff and dedicated corps of 1,600 volunteers, including our Board of Trustees, Advisory Council and Keys Advisory Board. They are our greatest assets!"
Locally, Dr. Mahadevan has held active memberships in many community organizations, including serving on the board of directors of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Visit Sarasota County, serving as a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Sarasota and even being a charter member of the Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida.
But his work for the oceans did not stop at Sarasota's borders. He has also served as a board member or chairman of numerous marine and ocean-related organizations nationally and internationally, including the National Aquarium Conservation Center, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean, the Florida Ocean Alliance, the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Advisory Board and the Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System Consortium. He was also a charter member and President of the National Association of Marine Laboratories and the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories. Dr. Mahadevan is also a fellow of the Explorers Club.
Before taking a leadership role at Mote, Dr. Mahadevan served as a benthic ecologist with specific research interests in the investigation of man-induced ecological disturbances. His studies worldwide addressed a diverse array of topics, including the effects of deep-water munitions dumps in the North Atlantic abyssal plain; effects of power generation facilities in Southwest Florida waters; sewage-induced impacts in estuarine biota; baseline investigations of offshore continental shelf benthos in relation to oil-drilling operations; studies of woodborers and fisheries in the Bay of Bengal, effects of oil refinery effluents in the Persian Gulf and physiological studies of Arctic (Point Barrow) benthic fauna.
"It is my fervent hope that marine laboratories such as Mote will always exist as places where people can learn about the sea," Mahadevan said. "After all these years, my excitement for the sea, our last frontier, has not waned.
"What still thrills me the most is that as a graduate student in India in 1970, I knew about the reputation of Mote Marine Laboratory as the 'leading institution in ichthyology and shark research' from the great scientific publications that Eugenie Clark, Perry Gilbert, Stewart Springer, Charles Breder, Bill Tavolga and other scientists at the Laboratory produced," Mahadevan said. "When I moved to Anna Maria Island in 1975, I aspired to, and was fortunate enough to become, part of the Mote family in 1978. Being its leader for almost 30 years was something I never dreamed of doing back then. Now, I'll still be living in a community that can be described only as paradise - Sarasota - and supporting Mote's progress. The next 100 years can be Mote's best. Under Dr. Crosby's leadership, I'm sure we will be off to a great start."
Dr. Michael Crosby joined Mote in 2010 when he was appointed to lead the Lab's scientific endeavors. He joined Mote following appointments as Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development at George Mason University and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Prior to those appointments, he served in a federal Senior Executive Service position as Executive Director of the National Science Board and as Senior Advisor for International Science Policy in the Under Secretary's Office of International Affairs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In his three years at Mote, Dr. Crosby has helped develop the Lab's current guiding document - the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan [view it online at www.mote.org/aboutus] - developed the Mote Marine Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, which provides support and mentorship for recent Ph.D. graduates, and is working on several international initiatives expanding Mote's marine science leadership worldwide.
Much of Dr. Crosby's past experience has focused on improving the synthesis, translation and transfer of science and technical information among research, public policy and stakeholder communities and he said he looks forward to bringing that experience to bear at Mote.
"One thing that drew me to Mote was its scientific reputation - thanks in large part to Dr. Mahadevan," Dr. Crosby said. "But the more I've gotten to know Mote, the more I've been excited by our ability to support the transfer of our scientific findings into public policy as well as sharing that information with the public through our programs and The Aquarium. I also have the opportunity to lead a great staff here at Mote."
Dr. Crosby lives in Sarasota with his wife Sharon. They have an adult daughter in Washington D.C. View his full CV at www.mote.org/crosby.
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501©3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Mote is dedicated to today's research for tomorrow's oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote's vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.
Media Contact
Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. (941) 388-4441 or info@mote.org.
Dr. Mahadevan will continue to work for Mote as a strong advocate and ambas
or in the role of President Emeritus for at least the next two years to enable a smooth transition to new leadership. He will assist the new CEO in promoting and developing support for Mote's world-class research and education programs.At the strong recommendation of Dr. Mahadevan, Mote's Board of Trustees has decided to appoint Dr. Michael Crosby, the Lab's Senior Vice President for Research, to the role of President and CEO. These changes will become official May 16, following Mote's annual Board of Trustees meeting.
Dr. Mahadevan said assuming non-operational duties will allow him to spend more time with his family. "I've been thinking about slowing down for several years now," he said. "My wife and I would like to travel. We have grandchildren that we want to spend time with - it's time."
Dr. Mahadevan joined Mote in 1978 as a senior scientist and he has served as CEO since taking the helm in 1986. He has been the Lab's longest-serving leader in the organization's 58-year history.
"Kumar's tenure at Mote has been transformative," said Bob Carter, Chairman of Mote's Board of Trustees. "Under his leadership, Mote has grown from a small research group to a full-fledged scientific laboratory with a reputation for excellence - not just here locally or in Florida, but nationally and internationally as well. Mote has also gained a public aquarium that today is one of the region's most popular attractions. We are deeply appreciative of his contributions and excited that he will continue to support Mote as the national scientific treasure that it has become."
Carter continued: "We're also pleased to be able to announce Kumar's successor: Dr. Michael Crosby. He brings decades of science leadership experience to the organization and he shares in Mote's commitment to conservation and the sustainable use of our environmental resources. As a Board, we've been impressed with his direction of the Lab's many research programs over the last few years and we're confident that he can help guide Mote's future direction."
When Dr. Mahadevan became CEO of Mote, the Lab's annual operating budget was about $2 million, and there were 52 staff members. Today, the Lab's annual operating budget is more than $17 million and there are 192 staff members, including 31 Ph.D.-level scientists who are leaders in their fields. The Lab's estimated economic impact to the community is in excess of $70 million.
In addition to the growth in staff and research scope, during Dr. Mahadevan's tenure, Mote's physical presence also grew. Today, the Lab's main Sarasota campus sits on 10.5-acres on City Island and includes the popular Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory, which is one of the most-visited attractions in Southwest Florida.
The organization also includes a 200-acre Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County, research field stations on Pine Island in Charlotte Harbor and Summerland Key in the Florida Keys, satellite offices in Punta Gorda and Boca Grande and a second public outreach exhibit dedicated to coral reefs in the Eco-Discovery Center in Key West.
During his leadership, Dr. Mahadevan has been a tireless champion for Mote and for the importance of gaining better scientific knowledge of the marine environment - and sharing that knowledge with the public.
"One of the things I've been most proud of during my time at Mote has been our dedication to combining outreach and education with our scientific research," Mahadevan said. "Bill Mote (the Lab's namesake) always stressed to me the importance of sharing our work with the community and I'm proud that we've been able to do that. Today, we have more than 250 cutting-edge research projects, a great public Aquarium, informative K-12 education programs that reach more than 25,000 students annually and we count more than 10,000 people as members and supporters. However, our mission could not be realized without the efforts of our talented, passionate staff and dedicated corps of 1,600 volunteers, including our Board of Trustees, Advisory Council and Keys Advisory Board. They are our greatest assets!"
Locally, Dr. Mahadevan has held active memberships in many community organizations, including serving on the board of directors of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, Visit Sarasota County, serving as a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Sarasota and even being a charter member of the Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida.
But his work for the oceans did not stop at Sarasota's borders. He has also served as a board member or chairman of numerous marine and ocean-related organizations nationally and internationally, including the National Aquarium Conservation Center, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean, the Florida Ocean Alliance, the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Advisory Board and the Florida Coastal Ocean Observing System Consortium. He was also a charter member and President of the National Association of Marine Laboratories and the Southern Association of Marine Laboratories. Dr. Mahadevan is also a fellow of the Explorers Club.
Before taking a leadership role at Mote, Dr. Mahadevan served as a benthic ecologist with specific research interests in the investigation of man-induced ecological disturbances. His studies worldwide addressed a diverse array of topics, including the effects of deep-water munitions dumps in the North Atlantic abyssal plain; effects of power generation facilities in Southwest Florida waters; sewage-induced impacts in estuarine biota; baseline investigations of offshore continental shelf benthos in relation to oil-drilling operations; studies of woodborers and fisheries in the Bay of Bengal, effects of oil refinery effluents in the Persian Gulf and physiological studies of Arctic (Point Barrow) benthic fauna.
"It is my fervent hope that marine laboratories such as Mote will always exist as places where people can learn about the sea," Mahadevan said. "After all these years, my excitement for the sea, our last frontier, has not waned.
"What still thrills me the most is that as a graduate student in India in 1970, I knew about the reputation of Mote Marine Laboratory as the 'leading institution in ichthyology and shark research' from the great scientific publications that Eugenie Clark, Perry Gilbert, Stewart Springer, Charles Breder, Bill Tavolga and other scientists at the Laboratory produced," Mahadevan said. "When I moved to Anna Maria Island in 1975, I aspired to, and was fortunate enough to become, part of the Mote family in 1978. Being its leader for almost 30 years was something I never dreamed of doing back then. Now, I'll still be living in a community that can be described only as paradise - Sarasota - and supporting Mote's progress. The next 100 years can be Mote's best. Under Dr. Crosby's leadership, I'm sure we will be off to a great start."
Dr. Michael Crosby joined Mote in 2010 when he was appointed to lead the Lab's scientific endeavors. He joined Mote following appointments as Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development at George Mason University and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Prior to those appointments, he served in a federal Senior Executive Service position as Executive Director of the National Science Board and as Senior Advisor for International Science Policy in the Under Secretary's Office of International Affairs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In his three years at Mote, Dr. Crosby has helped develop the Lab's current guiding document - the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan [view it online at www.mote.org/aboutus] - developed the Mote Marine Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, which provides support and mentorship for recent Ph.D. graduates, and is working on several international initiatives expanding Mote's marine science leadership worldwide.
Much of Dr. Crosby's past experience has focused on improving the synthesis, translation and transfer of science and technical information among research, public policy and stakeholder communities and he said he looks forward to bringing that experience to bear at Mote.
"One thing that drew me to Mote was its scientific reputation - thanks in large part to Dr. Mahadevan," Dr. Crosby said. "But the more I've gotten to know Mote, the more I've been excited by our ability to support the transfer of our scientific findings into public policy as well as sharing that information with the public through our programs and The Aquarium. I also have the opportunity to lead a great staff here at Mote."
Dr. Crosby lives in Sarasota with his wife Sharon. They have an adult daughter in Washington D.C. View his full CV at www.mote.org/crosby.
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501©3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Mote is dedicated to today's research for tomorrow's oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote's vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.
Media Contact
Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. (941) 388-4441 or info@mote.org.