Our Team

Kimberly Casey
Executive Vice President of Business Operations & Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly Casey is the Executive Vice President of Business Operations & CFO of The Florida Aquarium, where she manages and analyzes the overall financial position and long-term financial sustainability of The Aquarium. Working directly with the executive leadership team, she helps determine the strategic direction for the organization while fostering fiscal stewardship to achieve its mission and vision. Kimberly is directly responsible for managing the overall budget, financial reporting and projections, audit, tax and regulatory compliance, treasury & investment services and capital planning. She is also responsible for the Aquarium’s commercial insurance programs, contracts, legal work and IT network by working with third-party contractors and partners. She holds the title of liaison to the Board of Directors’ Finance Committee and Audit Committee.

Kimberly began her career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen LLP, where she gained extensive business experience through auditing companies of all sizes and types across varying industries. Over the eight years at Arthur Andersen, she developed a passion for working in the mission-oriented, not-for-profit sector. As a part of her previous role, Kimberly had the privilege of engaging with The Florida Aquarium as it progressed from conceptual design through construction, grand-opening and on-going operations. In 1996, she officially joined the Aquarium team and has served for over 25 years.

She is a long-term member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and Leadership Tampa Alumni. Kimberly graduated with both a B.S. degree in accounting and a Master’s Degree in accounting from the University of Florida. A native Texan and Air Force “brat,” Kimberly enjoys traveling, live music, boating and maintaining her 100-year-old bungalow in Seminole Heights in Tampa, Florida.

Kelly Curington, SHRM-CP
Executive Vice President of Human Resources & Chief People Officer

As Executive Vice President of Human Resources & CPO for The Florida Aquarium, Kelly Curington oversees all human resources-related functions including developing and executing strategic goals and key initiatives, administering policies and programs, strengthening and growing volunteer programming, and facilitating employee professional development and support.

As an expert human resources leader, Kelly has spent her career affecting positive change in the organizations where she has worked. Her HR career began in 1995 in the healthcare industry, followed by leadership positions in the nonprofit sector, serving as senior director of Human Resources for the Tampa area region of Quest, Inc. and vice president of Human Resources for the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa.

Kelly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stetson University, holds the designation of SHRM-CP, is a member of HR Tampa, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). She lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and three furry children.

Andy Wood
Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer

Andy is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & COO of The Florida Aquarium, responsible for the Aquarium’s long-term growth by leading initiatives that focus on the big picture of the Aquarium’s operations, including major capital projects. Working closely with The Aquarium’s President & CEO, Andy helps to craft and implement the organization’s strategic vision. With Andy’s foresight and creativity, he guides the development and implementation of organization-wide initiatives and strategies that promote and protect the Aquarium’s operational, business and strategic plans, and oversees the daily operations of the Marketing & Public Relations team. He serves as a senior leader for staff and works to ensure they have the resources needed to serve The Florida Aquarium’s mission every day.

Andy Wood is a seasoned professional with a passion for ocean conservation and public engagement. After building a career in marketing working with regional and national brands, Andy’s client relationship with Mystic Aquarium inspired him to join a conservation-based attraction. He served as senior vice president of external relations at Mystic Aquarium for eight years before joining The Florida Aquarium, leading the marketing, guest services, membership, development, auxiliary operations and exhibit development functions for the organization.

Andy has also served in several volunteer leadership roles with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), including chair of the AZA Marketing Committee and vice chair of the AZA Annual Conference Program Committee. Andy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Rutgers University and lives in Lithia, Florida, with his wife of 20 years and their three children.

Tim Binder
Senior Vice President of Animal Care & Health

Tim Binder is the Senior Vice President of Animal Care & Health, overseeing all aspects of The Florida Aquarium’s world-class animal care including a large team of biologists and veterinarians. With the symbiotic relationship between animal care and operations, Tim also administers Engineering, Water Quality lab and Dive Safety Operations.

Despite growing up far from the oceanic world in Rapid City, South Dakota, Tim has been a respected leader in animal welfare, husbandry and conservation for over 40 years. He has led world renowned organizations, pioneered new animal care practices and much more through outstanding leadership, depth of experience and strategic vision.
In high school, Tim worked at a roadside attraction on the road to Mount Rushmore. This small aquarium cared for seals, sea lions and dolphins. That experience sparked his passion and led to a distinguished 40+ year career in animal care that continues to make an impact in the zoo and aquarium world today.

In his early 20s, Tim joined the staff of the highly regarded Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where his skills earned him a senior leadership position. After a long tenure at Mystic, Tim became one of the first people hired by the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. At the time of its opening in 2005, it was the largest aquarium in the world. Among his most notable accomplishments was ensuring the welfare of the whale sharks; making Georgia the only facility outside Asia where you can see these animals.

In 2008, he left Georgia to consult on various projects to improve care and welfare practices in the US, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America. A year later, he joined Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium to become executive vice president of animal care. There he formalized and expanded the animal rescue and rehabilitation program; calling on his 16 years of experience in stranded marine mammal rehabilitation of numerous seal and cetacean species in southern New England.

Among Tim’s most notable accomplishments is the key role he served in developing and implementing animal handling procedures and protocols to do health assessments – over a multiyear period – on free ranging beluga whales in a remote area of southwest Alaska.

With his steep tradition and deep passion for conservation, attracted by the Aquarium’s vital efforts, Tim joined The Florida Aquarium in 2018, citing the tremendous opportunities to have a direct impact on significant conservation issues in very unique and exciting ways.

During his tenure in the zoo and aquarium sector, Tim has served in leadership and advisory roles for a variety of industry organizations and committees. A member of the American Humane Association’s Scientific Advisory Committee, Tim helped develop the association’s humane conservation certification program that certifies humane treatment of animals in human care at zoological facilities. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) task force, he worked collaboratively for the development animal welfare standards for cetaceans in AZA accredited facilities. He has also served on the AZA’s Honors & Awards and Annual Conference Program committees.

Debborah Luke, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Conservation

Dr. Debi Luke serves as The Aquarium’s Senior Vice President of Conservation and is an internationally recognized leader with over 30 years of marine and environmental conservation leadership experience. Utilizing a science-based, impact-driven approach, she ensures that conservation is infused throughout the Tampa and Apollo Beach Campuses of the Aquarium, from messaging to sustainable business practices, to science, to action. She manages The Aquarium’s local, regional, and international portfolio of conservation that strategically focuses on conservation initiatives that amplify our expertise, leverage and promote our partnerships, and maximize our ability to serve as Florida’s leading conservation-based aquarium. Of note, Debi manages teams that lead our globally recognized Coral and Sea Turtle Conservation Programs and forwards our Conservation Priorities to: Safeguard Imperiled Wildlife, Generate Healthy Habitats, Reduce Single-Use Plastic Consumption and Pollution, and Advance Sustainable Business Operations.

Previously, Debi served as Senior Vice President of Conservation and Science for nearly a decade at the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). She successfully launched the field conservation programs that supported SAFE, AZA’s premier Saving Animals from Extinction program. In addition, Debi intimately understands the workings of an aquarium, having served as the Director of Education and Research at Sea Life Park in Hawaii, and as the Director of Manatee Care and Research (along with various roles) throughout her 13 years at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

Debborah is no stranger to Tampa, having earned her Doctorate and Master’s Degree in cognitive neuroscience and marine science from the University of South Florida and an undergraduate degree in psychology from New College in Sarasota.

Tony Rokita
Senior Vice President of Community Engagement & Social Responsibility

In 2022, Tony Rokita became The Florida Aquarium (TFA)’s first Senior Vice President of Community Engagement & Social Responsibility. In this role, Tony collaborates across departments to enhance conservation efforts, educational programs, career recruitment, and outreach that authentically engages and best reflects the diverse Tampa Bay community. His strategic insights are vital to shaping and realizing the organization’s strategic plan and addressing complex social issues. He ensures that TFA recognizes and celebrates the wins and achievements of Aquarium staff and the organization through initiatives like the “Win Wall,” fostering a culture of appreciation and continuous improvement.

Before joining The Florida Aquarium, Tony spent 32 seasons with the Chicago Bulls in various leadership capacities, notably leading the Alumni Relations, Community Relations, and Player Program departments. He has been a pioneer in championing community engagement and social responsibility in the sports sector. Tony’s innovative programs have set a precedent followed by the NBA, other NBA teams, and numerous professional sports organizations. His efforts were recognized with the NBA’s “Values of the Game” Award, and under his leadership, the Chicago Bulls Social Responsibility team was awarded the inaugural ESPN Humanitarian Team of the Year Award, a notable achievement across all professional sports leagues.

Tony is actively involved in his community. He serves on the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council in Tampa, the Advisory Board of the USL Super Team Tampa Bay Sun, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Diversity Committee, and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership Governance Committee. An avid nature enthusiast, Tony enjoys traveling and playing tennis. He is also a dedicated Trekkie and resides in Tampa with his beloved Havanese, Louie.

Debbi Stone
Senior Vice President of Engagement & Learning

A seasoned educator, Debbi Stone is the Senior Vice President of Engagement & Learning at The Florida Aquarium. In her role, which also includes the oversight of guest services, creative services, and membership, she oversees educational programming for all ages, including Pre-K, K-12 children, fellow teachers, lifelong learning for retirees, and visitors to the Aquarium as well as a variety of community-based audiences such as Scouts, homeschool families and camp participants. Her philosophy is that inspiration and a positive connection with the natural world are the building blocks for engaging current and future decision makers and problem solvers for the protection of our Blue Planet.

Debbi is a passionate education professional who has worked in the field for over 30 years. She has served as the chair of the Conservation Education Committee for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), chair of the Informal Science Committee chair of the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA), vice president of the Tampa Bay STEM Network Advisory Committee, and was part of the inaugural cohort for the National STEM Learning Ecosystems’ LEAD STEM Fellowship.

Starting her career as a middle school teacher, she transitioned to informal science at Mystic Aquarium before relocating to Florida in 2000. Debbi is a SCUBA diver, kayaker and nature lover who considers every day an opportunity to see nature in action with her husband Kevin, daughter Olivia, and canine companions Arya and Mabel.