FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Feb. 12, 2020 - Ocean Exchange announced today an addition to its Board of Directors and the formation of an Advisory Committee to escalate its mission in advancing the adoption of innovative solutions for the great sustainability challenges of the world's oceans. Charles Hinnant, of Palm Beach, FL, will join the Ocean Exchange Board of Directors. Charlie is founder of Charkit Chemical Corporation in South Norwalk, CT, now part of LLB Specialties. He has a long history of leadership in custom manufacturing of chemicals and pharmaceuticals in the US and in Ireland. Charlie holds a BS in Chemistry from Davidson College and an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill. He serves or has served on the Visitors Boards of Davidson College and SCAD and the Board of Directors of the Maritime Aquarium in Norfolk, CT.

The new Advisory Committee was formed to expand the Ocean Exchange network, with introductions to other ocean experts, delegates, and start-up companies. Millicent Pitts, Ocean Exchange Executive Director, commented, "We have high expectations that this group of ocean experts will impact our continuing success. We are celebrating our tenth anniversary in 2020; it is fitting to mark this milestone with the addition of this committee." The initial formation of the committee includes:

Scott van Buskirk, Vice Admiral USN (retired);
Susan Frick, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, sponsor of the Orcelle Award;
Justin Manley, Just Innovation;
Craig McLean, Acting Chief Scientist and Ocean Exchange Point of Contact, NOAA;
Shally Shanker, Founder and Managing Partner, AiiM Partners.

Ocean Exchange, a 501(c)(3), is in its tenth year. Its mission is to help advance the adoption of innovative solutions in the field of sustainability, with focus on oceans, coastal systems, and ocean shipping. Ocean Exchange awards the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Orcelle Award and the Neptune Award, $100,000 each. Additionally it awards a $10,000 Collegiate Award. Past winners include the Wave Glider by Liquid Robotics (now Boeing), OPUS12, Noon Energy, EcoSubsea, Celise, and Minesto.

Navigate to OceanExchange.org to learn more. Save the dates October 25-27 in Fort Lauderdale for #OE2020.

Contact
Millicent Pitts