Mari Lou Livingood has been named the new executive director of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, replacing Kent Barnekov, who stepped down earlier this year.

“It's very exciting for me to return to the Seaport Foundation,” said Livingood, who served as the associate director of the ASF in 1998.

Prior to joining the ASF, Livingood served as director of development at Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region, assistant director of development at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and director of Program Development for the Association of Marina Industries.

With a background in environmental policy and workforce development, Livingood will connect urban youth to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) using the craft of boat building and the region's natural resources.

In her role with the Association of Marina Industries, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region, Livingood designed, funded and implemented a multitude of educational programs.

“Mari Lou's broad experience in management, fundraising, boating and workforce development will be an invaluable resource to the future direction of the Alexandria Seaport Foundation,” said board chair Mary Ellis Fannon.