CEO – Edward R. Cassano
Ed Cassano has been involved in marine operations, ocean conservation and organizational management for over 25 years. Ed holds a Bachelors of Science from Southampton College and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. Ed has participated in, managed, directed and/or operated ocean research and exploration expeditions throughout the world’s oceans with primary experience in the Northern and Coastal Atlantic, Caribbean, Northern Pacific, Tropical Pacific, Gulf of Alaska, and Bering Sea. Focusing on complex chemical and biological oceanography, living marine resources and fisheries research Ed is a former commissioned officer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and holds a Third Mate, Unlimited Tonnage, Any Ocean, U.S. Coast Guard license (inactive).
Ed has served as senior and executive management at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Aquarium of the Pacific and the Ocean Futures Society. Ed also served as Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Ed has utilized his organizational and management skills to establish complex, science, education, and outreach focused institutions including the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Ed owns a small consulting company ERC Consulting where Ed’s expertise in the global issue of “Sustainable Seafood” supports the efforts of several international and national clients. Ed founded a small marine conservation non-profit, Integrated Marine Education and Research Expeditions (www.inmer.org) where he applies a unique model of social change to achieve significant conservation impact.