Thursday, November 7, 2024
Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is excited to announce the hiring of Steve Lacy as the new Chief of Animal and Conservation Programs, effective October 4.Lacy brings nearly three decades of industry experience to this role, where he will be responsible for planning, directing, managing, and supervising the operations of the Aquarium’s animal care, advocacy and government affairs, and provide executive guidance on a variety of environmental and conservation topics internally and externally to align with the Aquarium’s mission.
“I am delighted to welcome Steve to our team, as he brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience with him,” said Virginia Aquarium CEO, Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis.
Lacy joins the Aquarium from his recent position as the Director of Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York. Lacy began his career at SeaWorld in San Antonio, where he held various roles including educator, tour guide, bird keeper working with penguins and puffins, animal trainer, and supervisor.
“The Virginia Aquarium is a fantastic organization. It is a great draw to be a part of an organization that holds conservation as one of its key pillars of operations,” said Chief of Animal and Conservation Programs, Steve Lacy. “This is a time of growth and change at the Aquarium, and I want to be a part of the amazing team that helps shape where we are going.”
Lacy has worked with an impressive breadth of species including training with killer whales, beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, walrus, otters and more.
After several years in SeaWorld’s Zoological Department, Lacy moved into a productions and operations role, creating shows for SeaWorld, including “Jack Hanna” and “Texas Untamed,” featuring native animals from Texas. In this time, Lacy oversaw seasonal events, such as Christmas at SeaWorld and Howl-O–Scream, where he invented and produced haunted houses.
Lacy is involved in the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) SAFE Sharks and Rays program, is a member of the AZA Government Affairs committee, and is a member of International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). Lacy has a bachelor’s degree in business management, a master’s degree in project management as well as working on his second master’s in marine science, specializing in marine predators. Lacy aspires to begin working on his PhD in 2025.
Lacy is a licensed falconer, and in his free time keeps his own private aquariums.
The role was reimagined following Mark Swingle's retirement in March 2022, with some responsibilities aligned with the new position and others assigned to the Chief of Veterinary Science and Research. Lacy steps into this role as the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center continues to evolve its approach to animal and conservation programs.
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, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, 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.
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