THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220491
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER AND TONY WHARTON, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
The man who led the revitalization of Savannah's Ships of the Sea maritime museum has been named president and chief executive officer of Nauticus.
David T. Guernsey Jr., 42, will start his new job on Jan. 2 at an $85,000 annual salary.
Nauticus, which opened in June 1994, has been without a full-time director since January when Michael L. Bartlett suddenly resigned. Samuel B. Rogers, Norfolk's marketing director, held the position on an interim basis.
Guernsey's salary is slightly more than half the $150,000 a year paid Bartlett, who also received $50,000 a year in other benefits.
The appointment was announced by John R. Turbyfill, chairman of the board of the National Maritime Center Authority which operates Nauticus.
Turbyfill praised Guernsey's ``leadership skills, management experience and community involvement.''
Guernsey came to Savannah's Ships of the Sea in 1983, several months after the museum had closed due to financial losses. He was credited with reopening the facility, turning a profit, increasing its visitation and community support.
In Norfolk, Guernsey will arrive at a time when Nauticus is not meeting attendance and financial projections, although it has been credited with helping to increase tourism and other downtown business.
Nauticus also suffers a public-relations problem among many Norfolk citizens who see it as a symbol of City Hall's disconnection from neighborhood residents and their issues.
Mayor Paul D. Fraim said he expects Guernsey to lead much of the reversal in Nauticus attendance and public opinion.
``During the interview process, Mr. Guernsey's track record in working with the community stood out,'' Fraim said in a prepared announcement. ``In the coming months, we plan to seek the direct input of our citizens in developing ideas to make Nauticus more successful. Mr. Guernsey will play an extremely important role in that process.''
Guernsey termed Nauticus ``a wonderful facility.''
``It has a lot to offer. Hopefully in the next few months I'll be able to spread that kind of enthusiasm through the community,'' he said. ``I have some definite thoughts about it and the direction it could take. We're going to try to do things for kids, whether they're 3 or 103.''
He praised Norfolk's ``wonderful family environment'' and its wealth of history.
Guernsey said his family has a long connection with maritime projects. He has been involved with ocean racing since he was young. His great-uncle helped found the Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Conn., a highly successful maritime tourist attraction.
He also has a Hampton Roads connection - he said his father helped finance the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Guernsey and his wife, Susan, have three children, David III, 9, Elizabeth, 11, and Margaret, 15. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
David T. Guernsey Jr.
by CNB