THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070464
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: NORTH CAROLINA BRIEFS
DATELINE: ROANOKE ISLAND LENGTH: 33 lines
Rhett B. White, longtime director of the state aquarium on Roanoke Island, has been appointed director of the state aquariums.
A 28-year veteran of state government, White has served as director of the state aquarium on Roanoke Island near Manteo since 1980. He succeeds Ned Smith as director of the state aquariums. Smith resigned last year to take an aquarium position in California.
White becomes only the fifth director of the office, which operates aquariums at Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher and Roanoke Island.
``Rhett brings to the aquariums the experience and leadership needed during a time of tremendous growth in visitor interest and the changing role of public aquariums in expanding our programs of environmental education,'' said Jonathan Howes, secretary of the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources.
Last year, the three aquariums drew 813,000 visitors and tourists. Aquatic displays, audio visual programs and hands-on learning about marine life at the coast are featured at each aquarium.
White will report to Henry M. Lancaster II, assistant secretary of Natural Resources within DEHNR, which operates the aquariums. He will direct a staff of 49, most of whom work in the three aquariums. White's annual salary is $66,712.
White, 50, spent almost 10 years in public school administration before joining the Roanoke Island Aquarium. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson and a Masters of Education degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. by CNB