Ralph Richardson is the type of man who leaves a positive mark wherever he goes, and his two-year tenure as executive director of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) was no exception. Prior to joining the facility in April, 2000, it had never really taken off with the public to the extent that its founders had hoped, and he was determined to make a difference. Today there is no doubt that his diligence sure approach had a significant impact on the Insitute's newfound popularity and success.

Evidence of just how well he succeeded can be found in many ways. General memberships have more than doubled, corporate memberships have tripled, and a proper fund-raising plan has been implemented. In addition, BUEI's appeal has been broadened through revamped exhibits and the raising of public awareness of its many attractions, with the result that children and adults from all walks of life are now regular visitors.

"A few years ago BUEI was perceived as a `white elephant', but we have implemented many programmes and concepts to change this image. I hope most people now consider BUEI to be a viable community resource and a wonderful learning centre," Mr. Richardson said. "We developed community-based programmes reaching out to a broader, diverse community such as education offerings to students, and we created new and imaginative public programming such as the After School and the Alan Paris project."

This month BUEI celebrates its fifth anniversary, and one of the most exciting activities planned for summer visitors is the introduction of eco-tourism. There will be a new BUEI exhibit focusing on this topic which will involve the terrestrial and marine life of Bermuda. Described as a major event in the BUEI calendar, visitors will pay half price to tour the facility thanks to the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. Impressive as all of these developments are, however, the former executive director said they would not have been possible without the commitment of BUEI's 16-strong staff and 60 volunteers.

"In the early years there was a constant change-over of staff, but during the past two years that slowed. In addition, the mighty efforts of our 60 volunteers provided a tremendous service." In fact, Mr. Richardson said that he had particularly enjoyed developing exciting new programmes to capture the imagination of both the BUEI team and the public, and defined his leadership qualities as favouring a coaching style.

"I try to empower the staff. I encourage them to learn and grow. If you surround yourself with all `yes people' the organisation will never be better than the leader, but when you empower people and work as a team you really have something special that is creative and meaningful to build on," he said.

But then, perhaps that is not surprising for someone who keeps a plaque on his desk which reads: "Success is measured not so much by the position that one has reached as by the obstacles that have been overcome."

When asked what qualities he thought best decribed him, the dynamic executive chose: enthusiastic, passionate, dedicated, driven and compassionate. Certainly, he is a person who always seeks to be the best he that he can be.

Mr. Richardson has always enjoyed a varied and interesting career. Prior to joining BUEI he worked first as operations manager and chief pilot of the `Enterprise' submarine, where he oversaw training, maintenance and piloting of the 60 foot, 100-ton tourist vessel; achieved some 1000 hours underwater; and also wrote a 150-page submarine operations manual.

Then he moved into the insurance field, working at BF&M, where in just four years he rose to become manager of the personal insurance division.

His love of the sea and expertise is reflected in many ways. The talented Bermudian has lectured on basic navigation and marine engines at the Warwick Community, and on the Royal Yachting Association at the Bermuda College.

Mr. Richardson is author and publisher of a Bermuda best-seller, `The Bermuda Boater', a navigation textbook based on Bermuda charts. With 2000 copies sold he is currently preparing an updated edition as well as writing a second book.

He is an ocean race navigator who twice won the Navigators' trophy for class `A' in the Marion to Bermuda Ocean Yacht Race (1993 and 1997), and he has sailed more than 15,000 open ocean miles.

He was an assistant engineer at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, and was a volunteer fireman with the Bermuda Fire Service, where he held the rank of Lieutenant.

Last week, BUEI's popular and innovative executive director left to take up a a similar position with the ACE Foundation, where his new role will be to provide leadership for the ACE Foundation's charitable activities in Bermuda.

"I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life," he said.

The ACE Foundation, a Bermuda charitable trust, has been providing philanthropic support to the Bermuda community through numerous educational, cultural and community health initiatives since its inception in 1997.

Looking back on his years at BUEI, the former executive director said: "Last year was successful despite September 11, and I am proud to have been a part of a great institution. BUEI is now in good shape, providing good management prevails, which I am sure it will. I enjoyed my work there, and believe that my leadership may have changed outside attitudes toward BUEI for the better. It lost its `white elephant' image and is now very active, with specific goals and are a thriving organisation dedicated to Bermuda with numerous talents from people here and around the world.

"I learned a lot at BUEI. I love to create and develop new programmes and I love to manage people. I will be involved with the Alan Paris `Learn Around the World' educational project for the rest of the year despite my departure from BUEI," he concluded.

Mr. Richardson has been married to Julie for nearly 30 years, and the couple have four children.