I should say right up front that I have heard and read a great deal of praise for Susette Tibus, who by all accounts is a dynamic, energetic individual who has graciously volunteered her time over the years for all kinds of community endeavors.

And yet I couldn’t help but wonder how in the world, given her professional experience, she was named the new president and chief executive officer of Mystic Aquarium.

She is the permanent replacement for Stephen Coan, the former CEO, with master’s and doctorate degrees, credited with building the institution into its current form, with a $30 million budget and a full-time staff of 270.

Tibus and her husband own and operate Simply Majestic, a successful but small Mystic jewelry store.

I’m not the only one scratching my head over this appointment.

I’ve heard a lot of rumbling around town, including from employees and some of the many loyal community volunteers at the aquarium.

One of them wrote to me with some sarcastic praise about the appointment, suggesting Tibus did after all own an aquarium as a child and that saving Beluga whales goes hand in hand with “selling trinkets.”

Even stranger than Tibus’ complete lack of experience in running a large institution is the weird way news of the appointment has unfolded, with no announcement at all from the aquarium, just a change in names in the leadership box on their web site.

Even when The Day, having heard rumors about the appointment, reached out and asked for information, neither Tibus, who is on vacation, nor anyone from the board who appointed her, agreed to answer questions or even issue a statement for the news story that ensued.

It sure made it seem like they are hiding something.

I’ve been in The Day’s newsroom for decades and I can’t ever remember such a prominent leadership position in the region made in such a secret fashion.

I tried again to get someone to talk about it, and the aquarium public relations director did send me some statements, the kind of things the public might have expected to hear back when the appointment was made early in the month.

No one agreed to be interviewed, though.

“I am thrilled to be at the helm of this impactful organization as we move into out 50th year,” Tibus said in a statement, noting she has been on the board since 2008 and vice chair more than a decade.

George Milne, chairman of the board, said in a statement Tibus’ passion for marine conservation and education make her the ideal candidate to lead the aquarium as its CEO.

He said the search committee, executive committee and the board of trustees were unanimous in choosing her.

“Leadership is not just about managing resources and achieving goals. It’s about inspiring and empowering others to make a difference,” he said in the statement.

I hope their confidence is well placed.

All of us in Connecticut have a stake in the aquarium. Indeed, the state made a significant financial rescue in 2020, as the aquarium seemed to be teetering financially.

We in eastern Connecticut especially need it to succeed.

I am a little concerned about Tibus’ active political role, having served in leadership positions in both the election campaign and political PAC run by Republican state Sen. Heather Somers.

I would feel more comfortable with someone from a more bipartisan background in a job that will require continuing bridge building with the state government, now run by Democrats.

Maybe that’s just the cynic in me.

Here’s hoping to her success.

Congratulations and good luck.

This is the opinion of David Collins

d.collins@theday.com