Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Along with the new Board Chair, the Foundation Welcomes Five New Members
Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation has welcomed a new Board Chair, John Uhrin, Director of Operations for Burlage Management. In conjunction with staff leadership, Uhrin will lead the Foundation with financial and strategic oversight of Foundation projects. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium’s exhibits, including the animals and habitats, and is responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration, and funding for various mission-related programs.
John Uhrin is a Virginia Beach native, who has built a successful career overseeing multiple Oceanfront hotels. In 2006, Uhrin was elected to the Virginia Beach City Council, where he served three terms focused on infrastructure improvements, strategic redevelopment, and water quality initiatives, helping to reopen the Lynnhaven River to commercial oyster harvesting. Uhrin has been on the Aquarium board for two years.
“The Foundation is integral to advancing the Aquarium’s mission and efforts in a meaningful way,” said Virginia Aquarium Chief Executive Officer, Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis. “John is a longtime advocate of the Aquarium, and with his extensive leadership background, we are thrilled to have him take this role as board chair along with our other new board members.”
The Virginia Aquarium Foundation also welcomes five new members to the Board of Trustees. The new members of the board are as follows:
- Brad Beach, Beach Enterprises
- Peter Leddy, Otto Design Group
- Desiree Mitchell, Geico
- Darrick Wickre, Fulton Bank
- Mike Sifen, Sifen Development
Leddy and Mitchell will serve on the Development & Governance Committee, which is responsible for trustee recruitment, including the identification and cultivation of potential trustees, the introduction and orientation of new members, and leading the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, including trustee solicitations.
Sifen and Beach will serve on the Mission and Advocacy Committee, which is responsible for advocating for the Aquarium in the community, providing guidance on exhibits and educational programs, supporting research and conservation efforts funded by the Foundation, and developing related long-term plans.
Wickre will serve on the Finance and Audit Committee, which is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal and endowment policies and the annual budget, in accordance with the Foundation’s Finance Policies and Procedures Manual. The annual budget, any budget changes, and expenditures are approved by the Board.
Each committee meets once per quarter and has a Chair representative. The Chair representatives of each committee make up the Executive Committee who meet and bring recommendations on their committee’s behalf.
Trustees are elected for a four-year term and may serve two consecutive terms. Following two consecutive terms, Trustees may be re-elected to the Board after an absence of one year.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.
###