Charlie Arant 
Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga tileTennessee Aquarium CEO Charlie Arant today announced his retirement to staff and volunteers by thanking them for their service during his more than 20-year tenure.
"The people I've worked with at the Aquarium are just incredible," said Arant in a statement. "Their efforts are just far beyond anything you could expect as a leader."
On March 20, 1995, Arant became the third president and CEO in the Aquarium's history. Under his direction, the non-profit organization opened the IMAX 3D Theater in 1996, unveiled the Ocean Journey expansion in 2005 and this fall announced a permanent facility for the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.
John Giblin, executive vice president and chief financial officer of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee who is chairing the search panel for a replacement, said Arant "has provided exceptional leadership to the Aquarium during his long tenure, and we will miss him."
See more in Tuesday's Times Free Press.