Mystic Aquarium

MYSTIC, Conn. (November 13, 2008) – UCONN Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun, New York Philanthropist Clay Maitland and local leaders Susette Tibus and Steve Perrelli have been elected to the Sea Research Foundation Board of Trustees.

Sea Research Foundation, the parent organization of Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents, is a non-profit organization dedicated to research, education and exploration.

“We are privileged to have passionate board members of this caliber,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and CEO of Sea Research Foundation, Inc. and a member of the Board of Trustees. “These individuals are committed to our mission, which is resolutely focused on protecting our ocean environment both locally and globally. These are people who are passionate about the work that we do here.”

The new board members are:

Jim Calhoun
As head coach of the University of Connecticut’s basketball team for the past 22 years, Calhoun has transformed UCONN into one of the nation’s elite programs, leading the team to NCAA championships and an NIT championship. He is also heavily involved in regional and national charitable and education efforts around health issues. He and his wife Pat established the Calhoun Cardiology Research Fund at the UCONN Health Center in 1998 and launched the Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic Golf Tournament in 1999, raising more than $2.75 million in support of the Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiology Research Endowment Fund. Calhoun has been actively involved in raising public awareness and funding for Autism Speaks, the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the UCONN Connecticut Health Center, Coaches vs. Cancer, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Swim Across the Sound Prostate Cancer Institute. He has served as honorary chairperson/director for several programs, including the Ronald McDonald House Kids Classic Golf Tournament, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Children’s Miracle Network and the Ray of Hope Foundation Golf Tournament. He resides in Pomfret.

Speaking at the Sea Research Annual Dinner on November 7 at Mystic Aquarium, Calhoun said, “My wife Pat and I are honored to be associated with this institution and its mission. We believe in it and have seen it make a difference in the lives of our children and our grandchildren.”

Clay Maitland
Maitland is managing partner of International Registries, Inc., the maritime and corporate administrator of the Marshall Islands Ship Registry – the fifth-largest registry in the world. He is also an officer of The Shipping News, Inc., an Internet maritime data and information provider. An active member of the maritime community, Maitland serves on the boards of the Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler, the American Merchant Marine Museum at Kings Point and the Executive Committee of the Coast Guard Foundation, among others. He has received numerous awards for his work in the maritime community and was inducted into the Maritime Hall of Fame in 1999.

Maitland is the chairman and co-founder of the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association, a newly formed group of maritime shipping leaders that is working to promote clean oceans and environmental practices within the shipping industry. Sea Research Foundation and its Immersion distance learning division is a major partner with the new association.

Steven K. Perrelli
Perrelli is the general manager of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Southeastern New England. He has been with the company for 25 years, previously serving as treasurer and vice president of finance. Highly involved in the local community, Perrelli is the president of the Seaview Beach Association and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Town of Madison in 2007. He resides in Madison.

“Mr. Perrelli has worked extensively with the Aquarium’s marketing and public affairs department to create and execute strategic co-operative marketing programs that increase brand awareness and drive gate numbers,” said Dr. Coan. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with him to promote travel and tourism in Southeastern Connecticut.”

Susette Tibus
Tibus has owned and operated Majestic Jewelers in Mystic with her husband for 15 years. Raised in Mystic, Tibus devotes much of her time to the community. She is the past president of Old Mistick Village Merchants Association and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered her time to many local events, including the Taste of Mystic, Chowder Festival and the Ocean Commotion gala, the Aquarium’s largest annual fundraising event. Tibus is the cochair of the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival and co-host of the public access program “Mystic Matters.” She is also a member of the advisory boards for the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and the Aquarium and serves on the SECTER (Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region) board, among many others. She resides in Stonington.

“Ms. Tibus’ impressive business background and strong ties to the local community make her an invaluable addition to the board,” said Dr. Coan. “She has been key to the success of the Aquarium’s Ocean Commotion gala each year. Most importantly, she has dedicated herself to serving the local community and its neediest people in many quiet and effective ways. Through her efforts, we are very pleased to be working with a number of local charities and organizations to improve the local and regional community.”

Full biographies for each new board member, as well as a full list of board members, are available. Please contact Becky Giantonio at (860) 572-5955, ext. 338 to coordinate interviews with Dr. Stephen Coan and/or these new appointees.

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.