ORCA welcomes Dr. Ed Massey, President Emeritus of Indian River State College, to Board of Directors

February 2021, Vero Beach, FL and Fort Pierce, FL- The Ocean Research & Conservation Association, Inc. (ORCA) is proud to announce that Dr. Ed Massey has joined the ORCA Board of Directors as of February 2021.

Under Dr. Ed Massey’s leadership, Indian River State College was named the number one college in the nation in April 2019, winning the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. Dr. Massey was appointed as Indian River State College’s third president in 1988 and retired in August of 2020.  

He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology, with an emphasis in Marine Biochemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed advanced studies in Evolutionary Biochemistry at Duke University.

Dr. Massey is a fixture of leadership on the local, state, and national level. He served as the Chairman of the Florida Articulation Coordinating Committee for more than 20 years and served on several boards including the American Association of Community Colleges, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and others. 

In recognition of his outstanding leadership, Dr. Massey has received the 2013 Association of Community College Trustees Southern Regional Chief Executive Officer Award and Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Award, the 2013 Peter Hegener Leadership Award and the 2008 Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction.

Dr. Massey is a devoted family man to his wife of 54 years, Jo, three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

ORCA’s CEO and Senior Scientist, Dr. Edie Widder says, “I am thrilled to have Ed Massey joining ORCA’s board. He is a long-time friend and colleague who was instrumental in helping me start ORCA back in 2005. Over the years we have worked together in a number of capacities including as co-principal investigators on a major National Science Foundation grant focused on nurturing collaborations among scientists and educators to promote stewardship of the ocean. Ed’s background in marine science and his strong ties to the community as well as his genuine commitment to helping restore the Indian River Lagoon makes him a phenomenal addition to our exceptional board of directors.”

About The Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA)

ORCA is focused on preserving the Indian River Lagoon through science, restoration, advocacy and education.  As the nation’s first technology-based marine conservation organization, ORCA’s niche in responding to large-scale deterioration of the marine environment is to: Collect accurate and scientifically defensible data on water quality and its impact on the marine ecosystems; Provide the data to the public and decision makers in an easily understandable format; And engage communities in marine conservation action. By combining innovative technology, applied science, and community outreach, ORCA is leading the way in protection and conservation of our valuable coast, estuaries and oceans—saving these precious habitats for the generations of tomorrow. www.teamorca.org  

ORCA’s facilities are located in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Indian Harbour Beach.

For questions, contact Lauren Tracy at 772-467-1600 or ltracy@teamorca.org.

Leave a Comment