Nautical museum names new chairman

The ExplorOcean/Newport Harbor Nautical Museum has appointed a new chairman.

Tom Pollack, 51, of Dana Point is taking over leadership of the board of trustees from James D. Reed, the museum announced in a news release. Pollack had been the board’s secretary, according to the museum’s website.

From 2001-07, Pollack was chief executive and founder of the TP52 Class of grand prix racing sailboats. He has also been in the institutional bond business for 27 years.

The museum in Balboa Village is expanding. Museum officials will announce a new vision for the village, home of the iconic Fun Zone, at a 25th anniversary celebration Oct. 22, the release said.

“It’s going to be an amazing evening … ,” Pollack said in a prepared statement. “The new ExplorOcean attraction will put the ‘fun’ back into the dilapidated Fun Zone and will thrill a new generation of kids, teenagers and adults!”

However, as reported this week, the museum’s expansion will force the carousel, one of Fun Zone’s remaining longtime amusements, to close down. The museum is the merry-go-round’s landlord and has decided not to renew the attraction’s lease.

— Imran Vittachi