After spending the past seven and a half years improving and expanding the Aquarium of Niagara’s facilities, President and CEO Gary Siddall will be taking on a new challenge.
The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences announced Thursday he will assume the same roles with the organization starting Feb. 5, leading the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve. His last day with the aquarium will be Jan. 31.
He will take over from Marisa Wigglesworth, who is now the CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs.
“When you look at at any time spent in a particular role, you reflect on the opportunity it gave you, and the long-term career opportunity,” Siddall said.
The sea lions were Siddall’s first love at the aquarium, watching them at an early age and asking about them when he participated in an overnight program with the staff.
“Those conversations resulted in a 20-year career,” Siddall said.
Since then, Siddall started as a volunteer and advanced to the zoological department. He started serving as deputy director in 2014 before being appointed to his current role in 2016.
The board at the time wanted to shake things up, charging Siddall to drive modernization efforts.
In his tenure, the aquarium received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for the first time, executed a revision of its master and strategic plans, and embarked on $15 million in capital improvements.
Those additions include displays of penguins, jellyfish, sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles, along with improving guest experience with a new welcome room, restrooms, and improved accessibility.
Set to open next year is the $5 million Great Lakes 360 Center in the former Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. Further down the road is a planned $18 million expansion on lots from 535 to 579 Second St., doubling the size of the current aquarium campus. Siddall added that whoever takes his place will flesh out their Second Street concept work further.
He was instrumental in bringing in community donations and financial assistance from local and state governments. He also helped spearhead the Arts & Culture Coalition of Niagara County, a group of eight county organizations and attractions seeking funding through the county budget.
BSNS Board of Managers vice-chair Jessica Copeland said the search lasted five months looking at more than 30 potential local and national candidates.
“Gary stood out by demonstrating a deep admiration and respect for the society, as well as an informed and innovative perspective on how to further advance the organization and its mission for the betterment of the Western New York community,” Copeland said.
“I’m most proud of that collectively, we came up with a vision for what the aquarium would look like, and we didn’t let limitations get in the way,” Siddall said.
Christine Lorenz, chairwoman of the aquarium’s board of trustees, said a search committee has been assembled and will start looking for candidates immediately. The nationwide search does not have a timeframe yet.
“We’re looking for the best candidate possible,” Lorenz said, adding they will meet next week to identify an interim President and CEO. An announcement will be made shortly.
Siddall will remain long enough to assist with the transition process.