Waters to leave Mote Marine

After two years as Mote MarineLaboratory’s chief advancement officer, Tom Waters will end his leadership on Oct. 10.

Waters accepted the CEO position at Easter Seals of Southwest Florida, a Sarasota organization that provides special needs services for children and adults.

Waters began his work at Mote in April 2012. During his time at the organization, Waters was responsible for leading the laboratory and aquarium’s 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan. The plan, which was adopted in 2011, is a guide for Mote’s innovation in marine research, education, outreach and policy advice in relation to critical needs of the oceans. Waters was also responsible for heading the organization’s fundraising efforts.

“Under Tom’s development leadership, Mote has achieved a number of significant philanthropic goals,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote’s presidents and CEO, in a press release. “We thank Tom for his many contributions as an integral part of our leadership team and our stellar group of development professionals.”

Mote will launch a nation-wide replacement for the chief development officer position.

“It has been an honor to be a part of the Mote family, and I will continue to keep in touch and follow their amazing work,” Waters said in the release. “From Mote’s cancer research based on marine species to its hands-on education programs for all ages, our world becomes a better place each day thanks to the dedicated scientists, staff and volunteers involved with Mote.”