Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Former Shedd Aquarium President and CEO Ted A. Beattie

After leaving The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism (1971), followed by an MBA in public relations (1972), Beattie enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He began his career in the zoo industry at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, establishing one of the industry’s first dedicated marketing and communications departments. He would later relocate to Chicago in a leadership role with the Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo, become the executive director of the Knoxville Zoo, serve as executive director of the Ft. Worth Zoo, and eventually return to Chicago to lead Shedd in 1994.

During this time, he led the development of six permanent exhibits – the second expansion in the aquarium’s history - with the $47 million addition of Wild Reef in 2003 and the $79 million re-imagination of the Abbott Oceanarium marine mammal pavilion in 2009, as well as the creation of eight special exhibit programs. A devoted and deeply caring individual, he was adamant about making Shedd “the friendliest place in town” and propelled the aquarium to become Chicago’s top-attended paid cultural organization.  He established Shedd’s Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research which includes the aquarium’s global field research programs, and established Shedd’s onsite animal hospital and lab facilities within the A. Watson Armour III Center for Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare.

Shedd current President and CEO Dr. Bridget Coughlin often cites the position of strength Ted left the organization in upon his retirement six years ago – a bedrock foundation upon which Shedd’s continued progress continues to build today.

“We take comfort in tangible reminders of Ted’s influence across our building – echoes and fingerprints of his unshakable commitment to animal care, to conservation and science, our guests and the next generation,” Coughlin said. “We will miss Ted greatly, and yet we recognize he will truly always be with us, forever immortalized through his immeasurable contributions and transformative impacts that helped shape who we are today. We are forever grateful.”

Beattie’s vision and leadership were recognized and admired well beyond our walls – across Chicago, nationally and internationally. While his contributions to the City of Chicago were many, one of his most outstanding were his involvement in the development of a 57-acre addition to Grant Park’s southeastern end. This transformation of Museum Campus allowed for greater exploration of nature in the city and forever changed how Chicagoans connect with Chicago’s lakefront.

Throughout his career, Beattie led by example and through service, including serving as chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Board of Directors and chair of The Ohio State University’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. Beattie was appointed in 2001 by President George W. Bush to serve on the 16 member U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy where he helped to craft national strategy on a range of issues from stewardship of marine resources and pollution prevention, to enhancing and supporting marine science, commerce and transportation. He served in numerous leadership roles and was involved with several national and local business, community, and academic organizations.

In 2005, Beattie was recognized with the prestigious R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and in 2007 was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University.

After retirement, Beattie continued to serve on the Shedd Aquarium Board of Directors and in 2017, joined The Florida Aquarium Board of Directors in Tampa, FL.

An engaged husband, father, grandfather, and mentor, Beattie took great interest and pride in his family and extended professional community. A talented lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, he especially enjoyed supporting the Ohio State Buckeyes and watching PGA Tour events. He treasured time with family and friends, and as an animal lover in both his professional and personal life, always included pets among his family.

His passion for developing emerging leaders was a driving force in the establishment of AZA’s Executive Leadership Development Program in 2015, and his legacy endures as more than a dozen of his protégés currently serve in CEO/executive director positions across the country. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to support the Executive Leadership Development Program at the AZA. More information is available here: Executive Leadership Development Program (aza.org).

The impact of one individual can truly transform the lives of millions. Such an individual was Ted Beattie. While he will be missed, his legacy surrounds us, and inspires us to be the best we can be.