I think to make me an effective zoo director, I had a passion for my charges and the animal collection was paramount and always has been, and always will be. I had an eye for detail and I knew what I wanted. I had management skill, I knew how to work with people. I enjoyed people. That was an important part. I enjoyed being around people. And when you boil it down, the zoo director’s position is a people position. You have to get along with a wide array of people all the way down the line, the whole gamut, politicians, donors, keepers, board members.
