​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About the Foundation​

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation is responsible for fundraising, the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation, and scientific research efforts, as well as the Aquarium's curriculum-based education programs. The Foundation funds and maintains the Aquarium's beautiful natural habitats and educational interactive exhibits and provides resources for the exceptional care of all animals, both on and off exhibit.

City of Virginia Beach & Foundation Partnership

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a collaboration between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The City of Virginia Beach owns and maintains the Aquarium's buildings and grounds, and provides administrative support for such services as accounting and human resources.

Financial Information

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is a collaboration between the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation.

The City of Virginia Beach owns and maintains the Aquarium's buildings and grounds, and provides administrative support for such services as accounting and human resources.

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's population, including its fish and animals, habitats, and interactive exhibits. The Foundation is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation, and scientific research efforts, as well as all of the Aquarium's mission-related education programs.

View our annual report to see a summary of the year's amazing accomplishments. You can also view the Foundation's audited financial statement and 990​ or make a tax-deductible gift to support these important programs.


Foundation 2023-2024 Board of Trustees

Daniel R. Peterson - Chair

Thomas R. Frantz - Past Chair

Buffy J. Barefoot - Treasurer

Walter D. (Dave) Worrall - Chair of Development and Governance Committee

Carolyn Robertson - Chair of Mission and Advocacy Committee

​Thomas M. McNicholas III - Vice Chair of Mission and Advocacy Committee

Robert C. Fort - Secretary

Stephen M. Snyder - Officer at Large

Cynthia W. Spanoulis - Executive Director

Buffy J. Barefoot
President TowneBank Virginia Beach, VA
​Barbara Ciara
President Ciara Group Media Norfolk, VA
Michelle Collins
Senior Program Manager Capital Group Virginia Beach, VA
Salvatore J. DaBiero
Owner Lionheart Ltd./Burger King Virginia Beach, VA
Nancy T. DeFord
Community Leader Virginia Beach, VA
​Mark Dreyfus
President and Founder ECPI Virginia Beach, VA
Robert C. Fort
Retired, Vice President Norfolk Southern Corporation Virginia Beach, VA
Thomas R. Frantz
Partner Williams Mullen Virginia Beach
D. Nathan (Nate) Johnson
Senior Vice President Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Norfolk, VA
Jay G. Kenslow
SVP Commercial Lending Atlantic Union Bank Norfolk, VA
Suzanne Kern
Community Leader null Virginia Beach, VA
​Troy Lindsey
External Affairs Manager Dominion Energy Norfolk, VA
Emily J. MacCartney
Community Affairs Manager Virginia Natural Gas Virginia Beach, VA
​Thomas M. McNicholas III
RV General Manager GEICO Virginia Beach, VA
​Sherri L. Miles
Co-Owner Miles Roofing, Inc. | J.D. Miles & Sons, Inc. Chesapeake, VA
​Dr. Scott D. Miller
President Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VA
William C. (Trey) Oglesby III
Partner, Audit KPMG Virginia Beach, VA
Daniel R. Peterson
Market President Truist Bank Norfolk, VA
Carolyn Robertson
Community Leader Virginia Beach, VA
Stephen M. Snyder
President Checkered Flag Motor Co. Virginia Beach, VA
Cynthia W. Spanoulis
President and Chief Executive Officer Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Virginia Beach, VA
John E. Uhrin
Director of Operations Burlage Management Virginia Beach
Andrew W. Vakos
Owner The Oceanfront Inn Virginia Beach, VA
Walter D. (Dave) Worrall
President Loancare LLC Virginia Beach, VA
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