The Ocean Institute announced its Board of Directors has named Dori Dennis Moorehead as its new President and Chief Executive Officer after completing a nationwide search initiated earlier this year. Ms. Moorehead, 45, most recently served as Executive Director of The California Museum in Sacramento, the State of California’s official history museum. She is also an attorney having served earlier in her career as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army.
Ms. Moorehead will assume her new position on July 13, 2015. She succeeds Dan Stetson, who has served as President and CEO of the Ocean Institute since 2005, and announced his intention to step down last December. Mr. Stetson, 62, will move into a new consulting role to focus on the organization’s endowment initiative.
Executive Director of the California Museum since 2011, Ms. Moorehead led the Museum to economic sustainability while effectively delivering its educational mission and strengthening its ties to the Sacramento community and outlying regions. During her tenure Ms. Moorehead oversaw the re-structuring initiative to re-focus the Museum on K-12 education and civic engagement. She also increased communication outreach and successfully raised the profile of the Museum among donors, the business community and community and civic leaders, locally and statewide.
“As we start a new chapter for leadership of the Ocean Institute, I can think of no better person to lead than Dori Moorehead,” said Board Chair, Maurice Masson. “Her track record as a visionary, educator and experienced operator brings us the mix of skills, imagination and talent to continue to realize the considerable potential of the Ocean Institute as we look to its future.” Added Mr. Masson, “Now being open to the public seven days a week and with the recent opening of Headlands and Beyond, our hands-on exploration exhibit to complete The Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, the Ocean Institute offers a truly unique experience to our more than 115,000 annual visitors. So in addition to welcoming Dori, I would like to thank Dan Stetson for his dedication and commitment in leading the Ocean Institute for the past decade and helping us get to this very exciting place.”
Said Ms. Moorehead, “As a native of Orange County, I have long been an admirer of the Ocean Institute and its indispensable and unique outreach to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Due to my experience in hands-on education, the mission particularly resonates with me. I am looking forward to working with the Board and talented staff to enhance the presence and stature of this well-loved organization throughout Southern California and beyond.”
Ms. Moorehead received her BA in History from Baylor University and her JD from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Prior to her work at the California Museum, she led advancement operations for Los Rios Community College District, managed fundraising operations at UC Davis Health Systems and completed a $10,000,000 capital campaign for the Legal Studies Center at McGeorge School of Law.
The national search was conducted by the executive search firm, Oppenheim Associates.
The Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization which seeks to demystify the world of science, empower children to become tomorrow’s scientific leaders, and deepen society’s appreciation of how the ocean and science impact our lives. Established in 1977, the Ocean Institute uses the mystery and allure of the ocean to inspire 115,000 students per year with more than 60 award-winning ocean science and maritime history programs. We’re located in Dana Point Harbor alongside the tide pools of a Marine Protected Area, and we use the ocean as the classroom to inspire students of all ages to learn. Unique maritime and ocean-themed items are available in the Chambers Gallery every day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone: (949) 496-2274.
Jim Graves
