Associate Director for Conservation For more than three decades, Dr. Chris Wemmer has been a leading advocate for conservation, spending the bulk of his career directing a wide range of conservation and research initiatives at the Smithsonian National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center. Read More
Vice President Bill Zeigler has leveraged his extensive zoological expertise to shape collection strategies and management philosophies at the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo) and the Miami MetroZoo. He has played a significant role in numerous conservation and management initiatives with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Read More
Director Rick honed his skills working at the San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park, Metro Miami Zoo, Houston Zoo, and had the unique opportunity to help develop Disney’s Animal Kingdom as its’ first director. He is a recipient of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Heini Hediger Award… Read More
Director Emeritus Holding the position of Director of the Cologne Zoo for over 25 years, Dr. Nogge was a founding member of Council of the European Association for Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). His many positions include President of IUDZG, the World Zoo Organization, and a member of the steering committee… Read More
General Curator (Retired) Douglas Richardson has been working in the zoological profession for over 40 years. His management experience is extensive, having worked at zoos on four continents. Positions with the Zoological Society of London and The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, among others, have honed his skills as… Read More
Director Emeritus Steve has been a champion of ecotourism, leading over 35 tours to 10 different African countries. He is a published author with numerous articles and presentations throughout his long career. He has been an active member in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, serving as President, member of… Read More
President Emeritus John has always realized the value of service and was active on numerous boards and associations in Nebraska. He devoted over 30 years working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on many committees. Read More
Senior Vice President, Regulatory and External Affairs Jim Robinett has spent his entire career at the John G. Shedd Aquarium. He worked with the National Marine Fishery Service on a trawler, sampling fish populations. His work with Beluga whale tagging has taken him to Canada’s Northwest Territories. Read More
Vice President of Veterinary Services Emeritus Dr. Meehan worked at both Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo Chicago. He has been a long time accreditation inspector for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as well as a veterinary advisor for the Gorilla Species Survival Plan Program and member of the… Read More
Director Many zoo directors have the opportunity to meet famous people. David may be unique in meeting both H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Camilla. Among his accomplishments is starting Wild Welfare, an organization working to assist domestic and international zoos dealing with welfare issues. Read More
Director With over 50 plus years in the zoological field, Dr. Killmar has many unique experiences working with a wide variety of exotic animals. He has traveled the globe over his career dealing with zoos and international government officials. He has published extensively and is a member of the Conservation… Read More
Director Jan developed an interesting perspective as to what smaller zoos can do to contribute not only to the community, but to larger zoos, as well. Although she worked exclusively at one zoo, her knowledge is extensive at a national level. She is a pioneer for women working at senior… Read More
Curator Bess has 33 years of experience working at two of the major zoos in the United States. She has been instrumental in assisting the Milwaukee Zoo library in its mission to be a repository for zoo history. As a co-author of the definitive book on the history of… Read More
Director Born in Basel Switzerland in 1934, John has used his expertise in a variety of positions, as Director and Assistant Director in Albuquerque and Director at the Atlanta Zoo. He has collected animals in Asia, formed his own animal transport business, and as an avid photographer documented numerous zoos… Read More
Director Over his many years associated with the Saint Louis Zoo, Bill became a mentor and advisor to countless young veterinarians entering the zoo profession and having a residency at St. Louis. His belief in sharing information was documented in his publishing of over 100 papers in the field of… Read More
Director While at Pittsburgh Zoo she developed a vision for an elephant breeding facility. That dream manifested itself in an off-site 724 acre African Elephant International Conservation Center. Her national involvement included Chairman of the Board for the Zoological Association of American (ZAA) and President of the International Elephant Foundation. Read More
Director Bernard has spent 45 years working in the zoo profession at the Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Moving up the ranks he ended his distinguished career as CEO of the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park. Read More
General Curator As avid zoo historian and writer, Ken has served as a member of the International Zoo Yearbook advisory panel and associate editor of Zoo Biology. His writings have appeared in the International Zoo News, Zoo Grapevine, Der Zoologische Garten, International Zoo Yearbook, Animal Keepers Forum, Association of Zoos… Read More
Director Satch served the zoo and aquarium profession as chairman of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for two terms. His public service also included a term as chairman of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). He was instrumental in the development of the Riverbanks Zoo, holding… Read More
Senior Veterinarian Emeritus Dr. Mitch Bush performed his first case at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, where he treated an impala with a dangling leg fracture. After graduating from vet school he taught at John Hopkins and did pathology for the Baltimore Zoo. Later, he became veterinarian at the National… Read More