Mystic ― Susette Tibus, long active in civic organizations in the region and co-owner of a Mystic jewelry store, has been named president and chief executive officer of Mystic Aquarium, one of the state’s leading tourist attractions.

The aquarium has yet to publicly announce Tibus’s hiring, though its website says she “currently serves as president and CEO.” She also is a member of the aquarium’s board of trustees.

Tibus was vacationing Friday and unavailable for comment, according to Meagan Seacor, an aquarium spokeswoman. Tibus did not respond to email messages.

Tibus, 67, succeeds Katie Cubina, who was named interim president and CEO after Stephen Coan retired last summer following 20 years of service to the aquarium. The aquarium website lists Cubina with her previous title, senior vice president for mission programs.

George Milne, chairman of the aquarium’s board, could not be reached for comment.

Tibus and her husband, Chuck Sneddon, own and operate Simply Majestic, a Williams Avenue jewelry store they founded more than 25 years ago. She has served as chairwoman of the Stonington Police Commission, as president of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and on the boards of the Westerly Hospital Foundation and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.

A spokesman for m/Oppenheim Executive Search, the San Francisco-based agency hired to conduct the aquarium’s CEO search, said the agency, which specializes in placing executives with nonprofits, could not comment on its work for the aquarium.

The agency posted the aquarium position online in January, saying the aquarium board sought “a mission-driven, results-oriented executive to lead an internationally prominent nonprofit aquarium …" The post says the aquarium, which attracts about 800,000 visitors annually, has an annual budget of $30 million, a full-time staff of 270 and 300 volunteers during peak season.

“The CEO will develop and implement new strategic and master plans …,” as well as “assume responsibility for Mystic Aquarium’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, which will be used as a platform for introducing the CEO to constituents …,” the post says.

It also says the CEO’s priorities will include “significantly” increasing revenue from aquarium operations and fundraising, and initiating a capital and endowment campaign.

Coan, the previous aquarium CEO, was credited with stabilizing the aquarium’s finances and upgrading and expanding its facilities. The final year of his tenure was marked by controversy after the aquarium’s decision to bring five beluga whales from Marineland Canada to Mystic, a move opposed by animal rights groups. Two of the whales died over an ensuing six-month period.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com