And I think that we need to be more and more aware of this because not only for laws that may affect how we act, but also for funding opportunities for our various nonprofit organizations. Going back just slightly, you mentioned that when you were putting things together at Gladys… Read More
In your opinion, has the zoo association continued to do those things that you felt they should be doing as an association?… Read More
Unfortunately, I think the American Zoo Association is like many other organizations. They’ve become almost too organized to the point where the bureaucracy is overshadowing the common good that they can and should be doing. It’s sometimes cumbersome to get something done. And you’ll find where a vocal minority of… Read More
Do they have friends who are well connected and just try and see what resources you have to work with and then maximize the potential. You mentioned that you were president of the American Zoo Association. Read More
Then once I find out what’s available and what sort of a rapport we had with them, then I’d try to maximize on them. And I’d go with looking into my board of directors, assuming I have a board, and almost all zoos now even if they’re a municipal zoo,… Read More
Find out what those people, what their contacts are, what strengths they have, are they well connected in the local community?… Read More
Is the zoo on their minds when they think about news stories or media opportunities?… Read More
What was his or her relationship with them?… Read More
Are they on good terms? Do they regularly come to the zoo?… Read More
How did my predecessor treat them?… Read More
I’m a young zoo director, I come to you and I say, “Don, I’m trying to market my zoo.” What advice would you give me?… Read More
Well, find out what resources you have first, find out what your standing is with regular media in the area. Read More
We had on the books for many years, an Otter exhibit. I love otters and think that they properly designed exhibit for otters you can have a very good educational exhibit and one that’s fun for the public to see. And I won’t say that that I’ve thought we could… Read More
I still maintain a veterinary license and narcotics license in order that I can assist the zoo in Brownsville as the backup veterinarian in case they’re veterinarian is unavailable. So I still am “on call”. Read More
Are there any exhibits that you would’ve liked to have completed or done that you just didn’t get the opportunity to do for various reasons?… Read More
As regarding your previous question, what other thing that I still do?… Read More
Would I have done differently at the time?… Read More
I probably thought I did what I needed to do or what was proper. I’ll stand on that answer. I think I acted at the time with the best information I had available. Obviously, I didn’t always make the right decision and yes, there’s some things I would’ve done differently,… Read More
There’s always something you could have done better. Read More
As you look back on your time at Brownsville, if you could go back in time, is there anything you would’ve done differently?… Read More