Keith Lukasik, chair of the Society’s board of managers and co-chair of the executive search committee, called Siddall a proven leader who has shown he can “grow and transform a cultural organization within Western New York.”

“His tenure at the Aquarium of Niagara has been nothing short of exceptional,” he said in a release.

As the head of the Aquarium, Siddall oversaw the full-scale revision of the institution’s master and strategic plans, as well as $15 million in capital improvements, including the Great Lakes 360 expansion opening next year. During his tenure, the Aquarium also received its first-ever accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Jessica Copeland, vice-chair of the natural sciences society’s board of managers and co-chair of the executive search committee, said the search committee partnered with a search firm that conducted a five-month-long national search that generated more than 30 potential candidates.

“Gary stood out by demonstrating a deep admiration and respect for the Society, as well as an informed and innovative perspective on how to further advance the organization and its mission for the betterment of the Western New York community,” she said.

Siddall’s work at the aquarium has demonstrated that he has the qualifications and ability to realize an ambitious master plan at the science museum, which calls for an addition to the 1929 building, Lukasik said.

“We as a board are confident that he is the right leader at this important moment to build upon our rich 162-year history and to guide the organization toward continued success,” he said.

Siddall said he was honored to take over.

“I am inspired by the Society’s well-established efforts to connect the community to science and nature, and I look forward to leading Society team members at the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve in their efforts to cultivate a new generation of citizen scientists and inspire appreciation for our diverse, natural world,” he said.

The aquarium said it will form a search committee for a new leader and has a strong operations and veterinary team to care for the institution and its animals while the transition takes place. It will announce more details about an interim leader soon, it said.

“Our search will prioritize a candidate capable of providing steady leadership and bringing the aquarium’s bold initiatives to fruition and continuing this momentum now and well into the future,” said Christine Lorenz, chair of the Niagara Aquarium Foundation board of trustees.

Siddall’s last day at the aquarium will be Jan. 31, and he’ll take over at the Society on Feb. 5.

“I feel incredibly confident in the aquarium’s leadership and board of trustees and their ability to bring the organization’s bold vision for the future to reality,” he said.

The annual salary for Siddall’s new role was advertised as being in the range of $190,000 to $220,000.

Siddall became deputy director at the aquarium on 2014, before being named CEO in 2016. He began as a volunteer 20 years ago and advanced through the institution’s zoological department.

In June, Marisa Wigglesworth, who had led the Buffalo Museum of Science for nearly seven years as president and CEO, left to take a position as CEO of the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colo.