About Us

Our Mission

Did you know that more than 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water? That means our oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams are critically important to the overall health of our planet. Our mission is to educate and inspire conservation of our aquatic world through interactive discovery.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Upholding the Oklahoma Aquarium's mission is impossible without a solid foundation of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Education is at the core of our mission, and the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation provides a scholarship fund for underrepresented students and schools with financial limitations. The aquarium team is committed to educating, protecting, and upholding biodiversity and sustainability; this includes human diversity. We are one planet full of diverse life, and the inclusion of all people is crucial to caring for the planet and its people. We work with several area partners to assure that all students within the community have the opportunity to visit the Oklahoma Aquarium and share in our mission.

History

The Oklahoma Aquarium opened its doors to the public on May 28, 2003, although the facility was a dream and passion for founders Dr. P.R. Ramey and Doug Kemper in 1984. The Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation settled on a plot of land on the west bank of the Arkansas River in Jenks—now home to the Oklahoma Aquarium—thanks to the fundraising efforts led by Dr. Ramey, Trustee Harvie Roe, and the vision of Jenks city leaders Mayor Mike Tinker, Vice Mayor Vic Vreeland, and City Manager Randy Ewing. In June of 2000, Chief Operating Officer Kenny Alexopoulos and his team from Galveston, Texas, relocated to Jenks to design and construct the Oklahoma Aquarium’s exhibits and to build and maintain its world-renowned bull shark collection. Today, the biology team is recognized for its bull shark research and groundbreaking coral research. 

Leadership

Chief Operating Officer: Kenny Alexopoulos
Deputy Director: John Money
Curator: Christa Clawson
Director of Development and Research: Dr. Ann Money
Office and Guest Services Manager: Janis Davis

Oklahoma Aquarium Staff

Chief Operating Officer
Kenny Alexopoulos

John MoneyDeputy Director
John Money

Christa ClawsonCurator
Dr. Ann MoneyDirector of Development and Research

Dr. Ann Money

Janis DavisOffice and Guest Services Manager
Janis Davis

Phil TateExhibits Supervisor
Phil Tate

Joel PritchardLSS and Building Maintenance Supervisor
Joel Pritchard

Justin LovelaceAssistant Curator
Justin Lovelace

Julie JenningsHusbandry Supervisor
Julie Jennings

Lollie MooreMarketing and Digital Strategist
Lollie Moore

Chris WoodGuest Services Supervisor
Chris Wood

Kara LovellEvents Supervisor
Kara Lovell

Danielle Beck-BilyouSenior Events Specialist
Danielle Beck-Bilyou

Hallie MossEducation Specialist
Hallie Moss

Teagan SchmidtEducation Specialist
Teagan Schmidt



FEATURES

DR. ANN MONEY TEDX Opens in new windowClick above to watch Dr. Ann Money's TEDx talk on coral & biofluorescence.



2 Opens in new windowClick to watch Kerry Sanders behind the scenes before diving on the Today Show



1 Opens in new windowPush play for a unique view of the Oklahoma Aquarium & to learn about our upcoming appearance on Amazon Prime.





OKLAHOMA AQUARIUM FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carolina MorrisPresident
Carolina Morris
Utica Park Clinic

Todd BlackburnVice President
Todd Blackburn
Techsico Group

Shawn OrthTreasurer
Shawn Orth
Zeeco, Inc.
Secretary
Jeff BondsGeneral Counsel
Jeff Bonds
Mitchell, Bonds, PLLC
Matt GriffinMatt Griffin
Taproot Properties
Dave ShirleyDave Shirley
Premier, Relation Insurance
Bill ColeWilliam Cole
Helicomb International
George FoldesyGeorge Foldesy
Commerce Bank
Kevin GoreKevin Gore
BKD, LLP
Headshot-1Joe Merenda

Excellent Entertainment

Johnson_JeremyJeremy Johnson
Bank of Oklahoma
Carey JolinCarey Jolin
ONEOK
Galen MartensGalen Martens
First Oklahoma Bank 
Steve McClellanSteve McClellan
Flying J Ranch
Keith MontgomeryKeith Montgomery
The Williams Companies, INC.
Matt NorfleetMatthew Norfleet
Bama Companies
Marco PlacenciaMarco Placencia
Equitas Realty Advisors, LLC
Brandon RobinsonBrandon Robbins
Ross Group
Harvie RoeHarvie Roe
AmeriTrust Corp.
Kerry RowlandKerry Rowland
PSO 
Kristal SackKristal Sack
Tulsa Technology Center
John SielerJohn Sieler
Oklahoma Aquarium
Volunteer
Jan SkinnerJan Skinner
Oklahoma Aquarium
Volunteer
Derek SmitheeDerek Smithee
Oklahoma Water 
Resources Board

Robert Lee headshot
Robert Lee

Cherokee Federal


Paul Ross HeadshotPaul Ross
American Waste Control
Matt Bowler headshotMatthew Bowler
Spears School of Business
Scott Bonnallie headshotScott Bonnallie
A&M Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
Peter Brolick HeadshotPeter Brolick
Riggs Abney Neal Turpen Orbison & Lewis Law Firm
Ryan Logan HeadshotRyan Logan
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Keith Richardson HeadshotKeith Richardson
FC Tulsa


Jenks Aquarium Authority

Cory Box - Mayor_JAA

Mayor
Cory Box

Donna Ogez - Vice Mayor_JAAVice Mayor
Donna Ogez


Councilor
Jere Schelling

Councilor
Craig Murray

Harvie RoeTrustee
Harvie Roe

Keith MontgomeryTrustee
Keith Montgomery

Jeff BondsTrustee
Jeff Bonds

Chris Shrout - City Manager_JAA

City Manager
Chris Shrout