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 only possible with 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	Deputy Director John Money	Curator Christa Clawson	Director of Development and Research Dr. Ann Money
Office and Guest Services Manager Janis Davis	Exhibits Supervisor Phil Tate	LSS and Building Maintenance Supervisor Joel Pritchard	Assistant Curator Justin Lovelace
Husbandry Supervisor Julie Jennings	Marketing and Digital Strategist Lollie Moore	Senior Events Specialist Danielle Beck-Bilyou	Events Supervisor Kara Lovell
Education Specialist Hallie Moss	Education Specialist Teagan Schmidt

FEATURES

Click above to watch Dr. Ann Money's TEDx talk on coral & biofluorescence.

Click to watch Kerry Sanders behind the scenes before diving on the Today Show

Push play for a unique view of the Oklahoma Aquarium & to learn about our upcoming appearance on Amazon Prime.