SOCIETY STORIES

Home Depot Co-Founder Bernie Marcus
Receives 2008 SeaKeeper Award in Monaco

The International SeaKeepers Society’s Board of Directors is honored to announce that Bernard Marcus was presented with the prestigious SeaKeeper Award at the Bal de la Mer gala during the ShowBoats International Rendezvous in Monaco. The presentation ceremony took place on June 27 at the Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris.

This award is presented each year by the SeaKeepers Society to honor an individual for their extraordinary service to marine conservation.

Bernie Marcus is the co-founder of Home Depot, Inc.—the world’s largest home improvement retailer and served as chairman of the company’s board until his retirement in 2002 and continues as director emeritus.

As a philanthropist, Bernie’s giving has covered a wide range of causes, including children’s needs, free enterprise systems and entrepreneurship, medical research, health care and Jewish causes.

His most significant achievement is the creation of the Georgia Aquarium, the largest such facility in the world.  Located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, this beautiful attraction represents Bernie’s gift to the citizens of Georgia and to the broad network of associates, customers and shareholders of The Home Depot. 

Bernie Marcus’s mission at the Georgia Aquarium is one of entertainment, education and science. By encouraging an entertaining learning experience, the Aquarium inspires its guests to value the marine environment. “I can’t think of a better recipient for this honor,” said Don Tomlin, SeaKeepers’ Chairman. “By his passion for and interest in marine conservation Bernie sets the kind of example that is at the core of our Society’s reason for existence. His leadership shines a bright floodlight onto the looming crisis of the seas and illustrates the kind of successful, thoughtful people who are standing up in the defense of our increasingly imperiled oceans.”

His important efforts with the Georgia Aquarium have contributed significantly to marine conservation in around the world. The Aquarium’s Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health is the only combined aquarium and veterinary teaching hospital in the world and shares its teaching and information with marine researchers.

“The Georgia Aquarium brings the treasures of our rivers, seas and oceans to the people of Georgia, particularly the children, instilling in them a tradition of stewardship for generations to come,” Marcus said.