Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, announced that myregion.org Funding Partner Darden Restaurant’s Mr. Rick Walsh, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, joined the Institute’s Board of Trustees.

Hubbs- SeaWorld is a not for profit public charity dedicated to national leadership in marine science research. The Institute was founded in 1963 with a mission ”to return to the sea some measures of the benefits derived from it”. The Institute seeks scientific solutions to complex environmental problems.

Examples of Institute research include: restoring depleted fisheries, understanding the migration patterns of the endangered leatherback sea turtle and research associated with the Institute’s world-class marine mammal stranding program. The Institute has offices in San Diego, California and Orlando, Florida – with plans to build a state of the art research facility on the Brevard Coast.

“I am honored to join the HSWRI Board. The Institute’s vision to seek scientific solutions to protect our vital marine resources is exciting and cutting edge.

Beyond the research, I see Hubbs-SeaWorld as a vital economic partner for our state. As a long-time resident of Florida, my passion is to see that our ocean resources are conserved and responsibly managed for future generations. Darden Restaurants is proud to assist the Institute’s Board of Trustees in leading the Institute in this important phase of its history. Hubbs-SeaWorld’s research is a natural compliment to our corporate commitment to marine conservation around the world,” remarked Walsh.

Jay Galbraith, HSWRI Executive Director of Development stated – “Rick Walsh brings exceptional experience as an executive with Darden Restaurants and leader in the state of Florida. He understands the critical need to conduct the very best science to ensure we have the marine resources available for many years into the future”.

Rick Walsh joined Darden Restaurants in 1984. He is a member of the Darden executive management team and is responsible for all corporate internal and external communications, environmental and government relations, creative and print services, travel and meeting planning services, media, public, diversity and community relations, including the Darden Restaurants Foundation. Walsh is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in Political Science received in 1977 and a Masters of Public Policy in 1983. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of the Florida State Chamber of Commerce and serves on numerous corporate, business, educational and cultural art boards.