CEO steps down at Clearwater Marine Aquarium
January 2, 2020 - David Yates, CEO at Clearwater Marine Aquarium for 14 years, has announced his resignation, effective March 15. He will be succeeded by Frank Dame, a former chairman of the board of directors who was hired as chief operating officer in 2008. Dame will usher in a new era for Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2020 with the completion of an expanded facility that includes five new dolphin habitats, an elevated deck, and a new building for guest and educational space, a news release said. Yates was hired in 2006 at a time when the aquarium was experiencing financial and operational uncertainty, and he was able to bring international attention to the facility through the story of Winter the dolphin, including the Dolphin Tale movies. Yates said he plans to write a number of books, as well as do public speaking, nonprofit consulting, and television and movie production.