Cox Science Center and Aquarium names Kurt Allen as CEO amid expansion

Cox Science Center and Aquarium appoints Kurt Allen as new Chief Executive Officer. [Photo by the Cox Science Center and Aquarium]

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium has appointed Kurt Allen as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than 35 years of leadership experience in hospitality, tourism and aquarium operations to the organization as it advances a major expansion initiative.

Allen officially assumed the role on March 9.

Most recently, Allen served as President and CEO of the Mississippi Aquarium, where he led the $103 million development and opening of the state’s first aquarium during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the incoming CEO, my focus will be on overseeing the construction of our new state-of-the-art facility while leading our team in creating the number one science center in the country,” Allen says. “Our goal is to create a scientific playground where children’s imaginations run wild through exploration and conservation.”

The center’s expansion is supported by a $150 million capital campaign, of which $135 million has already been raised. In addition to funding construction, the campaign includes plans to establish a long-term endowment to support continued innovation and expanded access.

Eric Stonestrom, chair of the center’s board of trustees, said Allen’s experience makes him well-suited to guide the organization through its next phase of growth.

“Kurt’s leadership comes at a defining moment for the Cox Science Center and Aquarium,” Stonestrom says. “He understands how to build immersive experiences that inspire, engage and educate, and how to lead with excellence, integrity and inclusivity.”

Allen will oversee the final phase of the center’s expansion, which will increase the facility from 35,000 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet. The aquarium component will grow from 10,000 gallons to 160,000 gallons. Planned enhancements include floor-to-ceiling aquatic habitats, an interactive extended-reality experience focused on topics such as rocket launches and deep-sea exploration, and expanded classrooms and wet lab facilities to support educational programming.

“I see the transformation of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium as a project that will make an immense impact on our children and our children’s children,” Allen says. “Science is the building block of our future.”

Located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach, the center remains open during construction and continues to offer interactive exhibits, an outdoor science trail and daily programming at the Cox Amphitheater. Its current traveling exhibition, Top Secret: License to Spy, will remain on display through May 3, 2026.

Construction on the expansion began in May 2024, with completion anticipated in 2027. For more information, visit coxsciencecenter.org.