The Board of Governors of the new organization include Peter Cairns, President of the Shipbuilding Association of Canada; Jon Day, Director of the Great Barrier Reef Park Authority of Australia; Vice-Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr. of the US Navy (retired); Susan Leal, Senior Fellow of Harvard University; Stratton Leopold, Independent film producer; Joe Lombardo, President of the Gulf Stream Aerospace Corporation; Jeff Seabright, Vice-President of the Coca Cola Company; Brigadier General Albert C. Zapanta (retired), Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Paz Energy LLC; and Irene Reynold Schier, President and Trustee of the Sapelo Foundation.

Starting this year in September (Sept. 7-8), Savannah Ocean Exchange will hold a yearly conference on ocean-related themes in Savannah, which will include a high-level interdisciplinary group of stakeholders and leaders. On this occasion, the Savannah Ocean Exchange will select the winner of the Gulfstream Navigator Award 2011. The award will be given to the Solution Inspiring Action that best exemplifies excellence and demonstrates the greatest potential for “Shaping the Future of Our Coasts.” The award recipient will receive US$100,000 – approximately 1.2 million rupees - from Gulfstream.

In a statement issued this morning, former President Mancham said that the Savannah Ocean Exchange’s call for action in 2011 is to find and promote the best solutions to drive sustainable change, and improve ecological and economic conditions, while respecting the unique cultures and sense of place of all coastal communities.

“In Savannah, Georgia, I would like to explore the prospect of an active collaboration between Savannah Ocean Exchange and local bodies like Nature Seychelles and the University of Seychelles. Such collaboration could bring great benefits to all parties,” Sir James stated.