John C. Racanelli, Principal

John Racanelli is the founder and President of Racanelli Partners, Inc. and a Principal with the Thornton Group. John's specialties include strategic planning, leadership team development and organizational assessment, serving an international clientele comprised of early stage entrepreneurial businesses, conservation-based not-for-profit organizations, and many of the nation's leading aquariums and museums.

John has gained significant C-level experience in 30 years leading both businesses and non-profits, and has launched a number of organizations from the ground up. Previously, he served as CEO of the Florida Aquarium, Vice President of Marketing for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and COO of Academy Studios, a California firm that designs and builds exhibitions for visitor facilities worldwide. John has experience in start-ups, turnarounds and change leadership, and brought the Florida Aquarium from blueprints to one of Tampa Bay's top cultural attractions, creating the vision, mission and team to successfully manage this $100 million project dedicated to celebrating Florida's natural wonders. Arriving a year before the Monterey Bay Aquarium's grand opening, he led the creation and execution of all marketing, communications and fund-raising for one of the world's leading aquariums. In his diverse career, John has also worked as a commercial diver, tall ship navigator, adventure travel leader and King Crab fisherman in the Bering Sea.

John studied marine sciences and environmental planning at the University of California before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Leadership from Dominican University of California. He has spent the majority of his professional life in pursuit of conservation and advocacy for the natural environment, with an emphasis on the world's oceans. John has spoken on these topics at international symposia and writes frequently about our role as stewards for the environment that sustains us. A sailor, diver, ocean swimmer and surfer, he also serves on the boards of several non-profits.

John and his family live in Marin County, California.