National Aquarium Names Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities

The National Aquarium is pleased to announce that Jacqueline F. Bershad has been named Vice President of Capital Planning. Bershad will be responsible for National Aquarium capital improvement programs including long- and short-term planning, budget development, management and project monitoring.

In this role, Bershad will manage the planning, design and construction of major Aquarium projects, and oversee the maintenance of building facilities and utility systems. She will be responsible for the development and implementation of energy and water conservation initiatives and ensuring suitable facility conditions for staff, visitors and the collection of the Aquarium.

"Jacqueline's talent and experience coupled with her passion for our mission to inspire conservation made her a natural choice," said Dale Schmidt, COO of National Aquarium. "I know she will be a great addition to the National Aquarium and I'm happy to have her on our team."

Bershad comes to National Aquarium with more than 15 years of experience in planning, design and management in the zoo and aquarium field. She recently moved to Baltimore from Philadelphia, where she served as a project architect and associate project manager at CLR Design, Inc., one of the top zoo and aquarium design firms in the United States, for more than 10 years. More recently, Bershad served as project manager for Art Guild, Inc., a design and fabrication firm that specializes in the creation and management of 3D marketing, educational and events programs.

In Philadelphia, Bershad served as a member of the Women in Design & Planning Panel and on the board of directors for the Center City Residents' Association and Trinity Playgroup. She holds a master's in Architecture from North Carolina State University and a master’s of science in Architecture from the University of North Carolina.