Major change coming for MS Aquarium in Gulfport. Here’s what’s happening
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mississippi Aquarium CEO Kurt Allen resigns for a South Florida job.
- Board and Gulfport Redevelopment Commission will search for interim director.
- 2024 IRS 990 shows $8.7M revenue vs $10.2M expenses; Allen calls future bright.
Kurt Allen, president and CEO of the Mississippi Aquarium has resigned for an opportunity he couldn’t pass up in South Florida, he told the Sun Herald on Friday.
Allen has headed the aquarium for eight years, coming aboard well ahead of the tourist attraction’s opening date on Hurricane Katrina’s 15th anniversary, Aug. 29, 2020. Allen said he was unable to pass up a job opportunity in South Florida. He will work at the Gulfport aquarium through the end of the month.
“It’s bittersweet,” Allen said. “I feel really good that I’m leaving a sensational project in great hands, and we’ve made a big difference.”
The aquarium was built with public and private support. The Gulfport Redevelopment Commission, which manages property for the city, oversaw construction. Both the GRC and the aquarium’s board of directors will search for an interim director while “a comprehensive search for a permanent successor is conducted,” a news release from the aquarium said.
Compensation for the position was listed at $226,350 in 2024, the latest year for which information was publicly available from nonprofit reports.
Before working at the aquarium, Allen served as vice president and general manager of Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine, Florida, and had previously managed hotels and resorts.
Aquarium files IRS financial reports
The aquarium was operating in the red, according to the last report to the Internal Revenue Service that is publicly available at Candid, which compiles reports and other information about nonprofits. The 2024 report for the Mississippi Aquarium showed revenue of $8.7 million, with expenses of $10.2 million.
But Allen said pledges can’t be reported as revenue on the IRS report, called a 990.
“I know the 990s are a snapshot of the financials, but I don’t think it tells the whole story,” he said. “Our future is bright. Our board is working to make sure we are set up for the future.”
The aquarium opened to much fanfare. It is a unique facility that showcases the Mississippi Coast’s riverine to Gulf environment, with displays indoors and out.
Gulfport community advocate Kealvin Barnett announced Allen’s departure on Facebook. Allen said the aquarium had planned to issue a news release next week about his departure.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 12:47 PM.
