Pacific Marine Mammal Center CEO hands over helm of Laguna Beach nonprofit

Peter Chang, chief executive of Laguna Beach’s Pacific Marine Mammal Center — a nonprofit known for rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured seals and sea lions — has resigned from the organization after nearly four years of leadership.

The Irvine resident said Wednesday he notified board members of his departure weeks in advance and was willing to assist with the transition, which was announced Monday in a release issued by the center. His last day was Friday.

“I absolutely love PMMC. It was a very tough decision for me to leave,” Chang said Wednesday, crediting the pandemic-era “Great Resignation” as motivation for him to reassess his life and work.

Peter Chang, center, with PMMC co-founder John Cunningham and Stephanie Cunningham at an August 2019 sea lion release. John Cunningham passed away in July at 82.

(Courtesy of Pacific Marine Mammal Center)

“There never is a good time to leave, but if there ever was a time this is it,” he continued. “The organization is in great shape.”

Chang arrived in 2018, promising to expand the physical site and raise the profile of the center, founded in 1971 as Friends of the Sea Lion by three volunteers, while broadening education, ocean stewardship and research efforts.

In his first year at the helm, revenue grew 15%, while PMMC’s annual gala saw donations increase 54%, Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Meberg said in Monday’s news release.

“He held the organization right at budget in 2020, which was an even greater feat, considering it was during the worst of the COVID pandemic, and he increased our revenues by more than 35% in 2021, year over year, to $3.1 million,” said Meberg, who initially agreed to be interviewed for this story but later declined.

Charles Antis, from left, Wing Lam and Peter Chang at PMMC’s annual Fish Drive fundraiser in June.

(Courtesy of Peter Wang)

Chang is also credited for the formation of a leadership team with a vice president of science and conservation medicine, expanding community-based educational programs for children and launching a capital campaign to build an onsite water reclamation system that has so far raised 81% of a $7.5 million goal.

While thinking about leaving, Chang and his wife, Nicole Tran, ran the decision past his two sons, 13-year-old Jarren and Tobin, 11, who’ve attended Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s summer camp and after-school programs for the past three years.

“It was something I had to talk to them about as well,” he said. “But we’re all doing great, and we’re all looking forward to the next chapter.”

Although he does not yet know where that next chapter will be written, Chang hopes to remain in the nonprofit sector, which he credits for reinvigorating his passion for work after years of being jaded by corporate jobs.

“I’m looking for that next challenge,” he said, sharing his personal passion for environmental causes. “My goal is to be able to make a meaningful impact.”

Although PMMC’s board of directors did not speak on how or when they planned to replace Chang, the group’s website indicated Clay Halvorsen — former vice president of the Irvine Co. and husband of PMMC board member Diane Halvorsen — had stepped in on an interim basis.

“The Board of Directors and staff at PMMC extend our most sincere thanks to Peter for his tireless dedication to our mission and goal and wish him nothing but success in all of his future endeavors,” Meberg stated in Monday’s release.

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