Georgia Aquarium CEO Brian Davis Passes Away: A Tribute to a Visionary Leader
The Georgia Aquarium mourns the loss of its esteemed President and CEO, Brian Davis, who passed away recently. His passing has left a significant void in the institution and the broader community.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the aquarium announced, “It is with immense sadness we announce the passing of our leader, friend, and mentor, President and CEO, Dr. Brian Davis. Brian was an exceptionally talented and intelligent individual who left a tremendous imprint on the education and zoological fields. Furthermore, he was a beautifully compassionate human being who lifted others up and dedicated himself to creating a caring and diverse space at the Aquarium.”
The cause of Davis's death has not been disclosed. In light of this tragic event, the aquarium has stated that operations may be impacted in the coming days to provide employees with the time needed to grieve.
“Our priority lies with caring for our staff during this heartbreaking time,” the aquarium said. “We may have limited operations over the coming days to allow our staff time to grieve.”
Steve Koonin, Chairman of the Board at Georgia Aquarium, expressed profound sorrow: “We are heartbroken by this news. Brian was a giant in leadership with his intellect, wisdom, and imagination.”
Brian Davis's journey with the Georgia Aquarium began before its opening in 2005 when he joined as the Director of Education. He was later promoted to Vice President of Education. After a stint as President and CEO of the Maritime Aquarium in Connecticut, Davis returned to the Georgia Aquarium in 2018. He was promoted to CEO in 2020, succeeding Koonin, who became Chairman of the Board.
In 2021, Davis made history as the first Black Chair of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Dan Ashe, President and CEO of AZA, praised Davis's commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion within the zoological profession. “DEIA issues are close to his heart, and I know he will deliver on that pledge,” Ashe remarked at the time.
Condolences and tributes have poured in from multiple zoos and aquariums, reflecting Davis's widespread impact. The Florida Aquarium highlighted Davis's visionary leadership, while the Toronto Zoo announced it would lower flags in his honor. “Dr. Davis was a brilliant and dedicated professional who made significant contributions to the field,” the Toronto Zoo stated.
Atlanta area leaders and colleagues also shared their sentiments. Brian McGowan, head of the downtown redevelopment known as Centennial Yards, expressed his shock and sadness. “He was one of Atlanta's most influential leaders and this loss will be felt deeply by all,” McGowan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
A.J. Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP), remembered Davis's engaging personality and love for life. “He had a very warm and engaging style, and the type of laugh of someone who really loved life and loved what he was doing in life,” Robinson said.
Katie Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, called Davis's death a “tremendous loss.” She praised his blend of imagination and stewardship, which led to dramatic growth and innovation at the Georgia Aquarium.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens honored Davis's ability to build bonds and trust. “Brian was a friend, a visionary leader, and a great Atlantan,” said Dickens. “If someone can convince an engineer (and mayor) to dive into a shark tank, that is someone who can build bonds and levels of trust like none other.”
Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida, and former Chief Operating Officer at Georgia Aquarium, spoke warmly of Davis's influence on his career and life. “Brian is the whole reason why I moved to Atlanta to be part of the opening team of Georgia Aquarium,” Handy said. He also emphasized Davis's dedication to his family, stating, “One of the things that was super admirable about Brian was his dedication to his family. We are and will be forever lost without Brian because of who he was as a man, a father, and a friend.”
CAP's Robinson concluded, “It's people like Brian who make a great city. He isn't necessarily out in the headlines or in the stories of the day, but he ran an incredibly important part of the economy of Atlanta and cared deeply about all of the creatures in the aquarium and all of the people. He was the civic leader that really is special to Atlanta, and we're all going to miss him dearly.”
Brian Davis's legacy will continue to inspire the Georgia Aquarium and the broader zoological and educational community. His visionary leadership and compassionate nature have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
