Seeking tempo change

Andrew Edwards

Glenn Zagoren, who recently resigned his post as president of the

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, says he wanted to leave nonprofit

work and return to the world of advertising and marketing.

“I like things moving in an entrepreneurial, fast pace,” Zagoren

said.

Zagoren resigned his post at the museum June 18. He said his

marketing firm, the Zagoren Group, started business the same day. The

company has offices in Newport Beach and New York City. Zagoren lived

in New York before taking the helm at the museum in early 2003.

Zagoren acknowledged that unresolved debates remain regarding the

size of the museum and what the museum’s mission should be. However,

he did not elaborate on any specific issues where he and the museum’s

board may have disagreed. Instead, he repeatedly spoke about he and

some board members being unable to decide whether to paint the museum

red or blue.

“There’s only so many times you can say, ‘Red or nothing,’ before

you’re blue in the face,” Zagoren said.

The chairman of the museum’s board, Peter Pallette, declined to go

into detail on any issues surrounding Zagoren’s decision to leave the

museum. Pallette reiterated Zagoren’s comments that the former museum

president wanted to return to the for-profit business arena. Pallette

did not comment further on the resignation, pending the completion of

a prepared statement by the board that was not available late

Thursday.

The museum’s presidency has been filled by David Muller, who

served on the museum’s board until his appointment. Muller said he

was selected as an interim president, but the term of his appointment

could change.

Muller said he may discuss museum issues with Zagoren.

“I look forward to tapping his skills in the future,” Muller said.

One of Muller’s priorities, he said, was finding a new home for

the museum. The museum’s lease with the Irvine Co. is set to expire

in 2006, and though the museum has received an extension through

2008, Muller said he does not want to assume the lease situation will

not change.

Muller, Pallette and Zagoren all said the most likely choice for a

new location is the Balboa Fun Zone.

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at andrew.edwards@latimes.com.