Distinguished Speaker Series: Bill Lackey
March 4 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Ocean Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series, presented by the Nicholas Endowment, brings interesting innovations, real-world research, exotic experiences, and delightful discoveries to the surface through powerful presentations from an ocean of experts. Speakers present on a variety of topics ranging from ocean researchers, ocean authors, ocean artists, and ocean athletes.
Light snacks & Refreshments available for purchase at event.
Distinguished Speaker: Bill Lackey
Bill retired in March 2023 after working in the fire service for 37 years. During that time, he worked as a Paramedic, USAR Rescue Specialist, Safety Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Investigator, and Drone Pilot. Bill has volunteered since 2017 with a local marine mammal rescue facility where he gained valuable experience working with NOAA’s West Coast Whale Disentanglement Team. With this experience, Bill partnered with co-founders Wendy Leeds, Lindsey Van Schoick, and Justin Van Schoick to establish Entangled Whale Response of Orange County (EWROC) to enhance Orange County’s whale entanglement response efforts. EWROC has partnered with Ocean Institute to collaborate on the 2025 Maritime Festival, engaging with the community to spread awareness about whale entanglements. Bill is now a level 3 whale entanglement responder with experience on multiple entanglement events. He is also an FAA Part 107 licenses Drone Pilot.
Wednesday, March 4
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Doors open at 5:30pm, talk begins at 6:00pm
$10 – General
FREE – Members
FREE – Students (with Valid ID)
About Entangled Whale Response Orange County (EWROC):
We are passionate about our efforts to minimize the suffering of entangled whales off the Orange County coastline. We believe the data gathered from entanglement gear can help with broader regional efforts to affect positive changes in the commercial fishing industry that will minimize opportunities for entanglement. We strive to strengthen the relationships within the Orange County Whale Watch/Research community that will benefit all whales passing through the offshore waters of Southern California.
