When Greg Gorga and six friends moved to the Bay Area from Rutgers, New Jersey, back in 1980, Greg never imagined his journey would place him in the position of positively impacting the lives of thousands each year.
As Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Greg oversees educational programs and exhibits serving more than 5,000 youth annually. As the nonprofit museum celebrates its 25th anniversary—18 of those with Greg at the helm—he reflects on how far both have come.
“I knew port and starboard and that was it,” laughs Greg, thinking back to 2007 when he started at the fledgling SBMM. Beginning his foray into the nonprofit world as a grant writer, Greg began as Director of Development at SBMM, bringing his skills and experience from restaurant management to the job. Greg managed the Rusty Pelican before joining SBMM and stepping in as Executive Director in 2008.
Since then, “I’ve been the president of the Council of American Maritime Museums,” he notes, and SBMM has transformed into an educational powerhouse under his leadership.
“Greg’s tenure has been defined by growth, resilience, and lasting community impact. From guiding SBMM through financial crises and the COVID-19 pandemic to securing major milestones like the museum’s AAM accreditation and the installation of the iconic Point Conception Lighthouse Lens, Greg has shaped SBMM into a top-tier institution and cultural landmark,” says SBMM’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Heather Behrens. “He’s also expanded public programs, championed accessibility for underserved youth, and brought fresh energy to the museum’s exhibits and storytelling.”
Greg attributes SBMM’s growth to those he works with, from the talented staff and educators to the supportive community and inspiring participants, success has been a team effort.
As most educational programming is free of charge, serving thousands of Title 1 students, despite the admission charged and membership fees, the bulk of the museum’s funding comes from private grants and individual donors.
In addition to the original Tall Ship Program, which continues to inspire kids by offering a slice of life aboard the ships, SBMM hosts 13 different educational programs. These programs focus on project-based learning and serve kids from all economic backgrounds. Programs like Whales are Superheroes!, Science Nights, and Girls in Ocean Science are designed by experts to fit the needs of youth.
“They really know what will work,” says Greg. “Maritime on the Move takes kids to explore the salt marsh—half of those kids had never even been there—plus the tar pits and seal rookery. It’s a great way for kids to learn about the coastal environment and why it’s important, while introducing children to all sorts of career possibilities.”
Meeting legendary personalities like Joe Walsh, Kim Mearig, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, to name a few, is another career highlight. “This job has afforded me the opportunity to meet people who really care about our community and our planet,” says Greg, naming the volunteer docents, fellow nonprofits, and benevolent donors among them.
Looking forward to the next chapter of his journey, “I plan to consult, travel, and enjoy life.”
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