Dauphin Island Sea Lab's New Executive Director Begins Job July 1, 2008

Dr. L. Scott Quackenbush, the recently appointed Executive Director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, will begin his position at the Sea Lab on July 1, 2008. Interim Director Dr. John Dindo has been head of the Sea Lab since the retirement of Dr. George Crozier in December 2007, and will remain Chair of the Sea Lab's K-12, teacher and public outreach programs.

Quackenbush has most recently been the Director of Humboldt State University's Marine Lab in northern California. His previous professional experience includes chair of the biological science departments at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Florida International University..

He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, his master's degree at the University of West Florida, and his doctorate at Florida State University.

"I'm looking forward to continuing the remarkable progress made by former Director George Crozier," said Quackenbush. "I intend to use these first months acquainting myself with the many diverse activities of the Sea Lab, as well as with the needs of the communities which we serve.'

"By assessing our resources, programs and fiscal needs over the next several months, we'll focus on developing a strategic plan for the Sea Lab that I can present to our twenty-one consortium members and Sea Lab community in the next year. For now, however, the programs of the Sea Lab will proceed as planned and I hope the transition will be as seamless as possible."

Quackenbush moves to Mobile with his wife Dr. Teri Butler, an educator, and three children: Ben, 19; Seth, 17; and Hannah, 14.

Dr. L. Scott Quackenbush