John E. Reynolds III, was named Chairman of the Marine Mammal Commission by George H. W. Bush in 1991. Reynolds received a B.A.in Biology from Western Maryland College in 1974; an M.S.in Biological Oceanography from the University of Miami-Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, in 1977; and a Ph.D in Biological Oceanography from the University of Miami - School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, in 1980. That same year, he became an Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Science at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Chairman of Natural Sciences at Eckerd from 1986 to 1992. He has also been a professor at the University of South Florida; a visiting professor at Duke University Marine Laboratory; and has taught outreach courses in Cell Biology and Marine Mammology for high school students. He is also a referee for manuscripts submitted to the Marine Mammal Science and Florida Scientist; reviewer for proposals for the National Science Foundation; and a Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for Save the Manatee Club. Reynolds has also received more than 20 research grants and written or co-written several books, as well as articles for more than 120 publications, predominantly on marine mammals and biology. Currently, Reynolds is the Director of the Center for Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida.