SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) today announced the addition of Mark Orozco as chief financial and operations officer (CFO/COO). Orozco, who started March 12, will oversee accounting, finance, operations, administration, human resources, IT, and legal functions.
“I grew up in Southern California and have many fond memories of visiting The Nat and Balboa Park as a child and am excited to be a part of this dynamic team,” said Orozco. “I believe my diversified experience and skills will translate well into the Museum’s environment.”
A veteran in the financial industry, Orozco brings a proven track record of strategic executive leadership to the flagship Balboa Park museum. With more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, Orozco has the personal qualities and business acumen needed to assist The Nat in fulfilling its mission.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Mark to The Nat,” said Judy Gradwohl, president and CEO at the San Diego Natural History Museum. “Mark has the ability to see beyond the numbers and help us identify trends and new possibilities for growth. I am particularly impressed with his experience, and firm roots in the community—he is an excellent addition to the team.”
Orozco replaces Susan Loveall, who left the Museum in July 2017 after nearly six years in her role. He most recently served as a CFO and strategic operations advisor at Bridgepoint Consulting, LLC, where he was directly responsible for assisting entrepreneurial, private-equity backed organizations at varied stages of the business lifecycle with developing and setting strategy, driving growth and profitability, and optimizing business cash flow. He was heavily involved in financial planning and analysis, business development, regulatory and grants compliance, board and staff development, exit strategy planning, and accounting and audit compliance — all skills that will complement the Museum.
A Southern California native, Orozco learned a love of the outdoors from his father, who worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including the time spent on his family’s ranch. While Mark initially chose employment in the financial and operations management fields, he has a deep and lasting affection for nature, making him ideal for this new appointment at The Nat.
“The fact that Mark shares our passion for the natural world is a major bonus,” said Dr. Michael Wall, vice president of science and conservation at The Nat. “We look forward to working with Mark to help steer our beloved 143-year-old museum in the right direction so we can continue to deliver on our mission.”
Orozco holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from University of San Diego and an Executive-MBA from San Diego State University. He also currently serves on the board of directors for the National Scleroderma Foundation, a federally qualified non-profit dedicated to serving the needs of the scleroderma community.
About the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is the second oldest scientific institution in California and the third oldest west of the Mississippi. Founded in 1874 by a small group of citizen scientists, the Museum’s mission is to interpret the natural world through research, education, and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of Southern California and the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment. The Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park and is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. For more information, call 877.946.7797 or visit sdnat.org. To stay up to date on Museum news, follow The Nat on Instagram and Twitter and join the discussion on Facebook.
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Media Contact
April Green
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
San Diego Natural History Museum
619.255.0189
agreen@sdnhm.org