Feiro Marine Life Center announced last week the appointments of Melissa Williams as the center’s first executive director and Deborah Moriarty as the center’s first development director.

Moriarty has served as Feiro’s director since 2008 and guided the center’s transition from a city facility to a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, preserving the late Art Feiro’s dream of community marine science center on the Port Angeles waterfront.

Under her leadership, Feiro expanded its programs and services and more than doubled the number of visitors and students served annually.

Williams has been serving as vice president for learning at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Ill., since 2011, beginning her career there in 2006 as manager of student and teacher programs.