Emily Veazey, the new executive director of the Texas Surf Museum, plans to fully implement the facility’s threefold mission of extending surf culture, connecting with the community, and raising conservation awareness.
The Texas Surf Museum has a new executive director. After helping with the museum’s only fundraiser of the year, Octoberfest, Emily Veazey moved from contractor to top dog in mid-October.
“I’m excited about growing the museum,” Veazey said.
She plans to spend the next three months reviewing the museum’s mission and focus.
“Are we being true to surfers?” she said when asked about the review. “That is so much a part of the culture in South Texas. I want to look at what we do well and where we can grow our base.”
Veazey urges repeat visits to the museum, which works to bring in new exhibits throughout the year. Currently on loan is an exhibit that is closing October 20: “China Beach: Surfing During the Vietnam War and the Healing Power of Wave Riding.”
Another exhibit now being installed will open on Veterans Day, November 11.
“We are creating a 'Wave of Honor Wall,' she said. “We have created a dog tag for every Texas soldier who died in Vietnam — 3,414 names in all. There’s no other memorial honoring Texans who died in Vietnam. It’s stunning.”
Although Veazey is not a surfer, she does boogie board and paddle board. The daughter of a Navy pilot, she grew up on beaches in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and, of course, Corpus Christi when her father was stationed at the Naval Air Station.
“I feel very connected to the water,” she said. “It’s my happy place.”
In 2014, Veazey, her husband, and three daughters moved to Corpus Christi, where she opened an event management company, Live Oak Events. Along with the Texas Surf Museum, clients included the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Management District, the Texas State Aquarium, and Kleberg Bank.
Veazey earned a master’s degree in corporate communications from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001.
“We are excited to have Emily joining the Texas Surf Museum as our executive director,” said Brad Lomax, chair of the Texas Surf Museum Board of Directors. “Her experience with organization, fundraising, marketing, and event management are assets to the museum. We’re looking forward to Emily’s leadership in engaging the Coastal Bend community with the museum and growing the organization in 2020 and beyond.”
The Texas Surf Museum is located at 309 N. Water Street in Corpus Christi. Call 361-888-7873 for more information or visit the website at texassurfmuseum.org. You can also follow the museum on its Facebook page @texassurfmuseum. Hours are 1 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
