Historic Philadelphia competitors

As President and CEO, I lead the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club and the Wilds conservation center with a focus on inspiring people to make a difference for wildlife and wild places. Annually more than 2.8 million people visit the Columbus Zoo and its other entities making it one of the most successful zoological institutions in the country and a significant economic engine in central Ohio. I have more than 30 years experience gained by first working as zookeeper and then advancing through every aspect of zoo management - from animal care to exhibit design to financial management to strategic visioning. I became the youngest zoo director in the country when tapped to manage Niabi Zoo in Illinois in 1995 and guided that zoo to gain national accreditation for the first time. I strive to use storytelling and my love of education to help inspire people to join the Zoo’s mission to protecting animals globally and locally. I have traveled with Jack Hanna for education programs, zoo promotions and national television appearances for more than 20 years, and do regular speaking engagements and television appearances, as well as speaking on behalf of state and federal legislation that affects wildlife. I place a high priority on animal welfare and conservation, and have had the opportunity to travel to several countries where the Zoo supports programs that help people help protect wildlife including a program helping save mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Africa. Globally, the Zoo has more than 100 conservation projects in 46 countries that are supported by $4 million raised through public donations and fundraisers each year.

Dr. Brian Davis is Georgia Aquarium’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Davis brings with him more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles within zoological and educational institutions, having previously held positions at Georgia Aquarium on two separate occasions. Dr. Davis first joined the Georgia Aquarium team prior to its founding in 2003, as the Director of Education, later served as the Aquarium’s Vice President of Education and then most recently as Executive Vice President of Operations. Prior to Dr. Davis’s most recent role at Georgia Aquarium, he served as President and CEO of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, where he oversaw the enhancement of the Aquarium’s footprint. Dr. Davis has also served in both teaching and administrative roles in Cobb County’s school system, and spent time developing education programs at both New York Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta. Dr. Davis has authored and co-authored papers related to science education, aquariums and other science related topics. He has served as an Adjunct Professor for Schools of Education at Georgia State University and Mercer University, and has served on the Boards of Directors for Centennial Place Elementary School, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Open Door Shelter, NorwalkACTS, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A New Jersey native, Dr. Davis has fond memories of enjoying family vacations at the shore, where his lifelong passion for the ocean was ignited. Dr. Davis graduated from Rutgers University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, later earning both a Masters of Education and his Ph.D. in Secondary Science Education at Georgia State University.

Kevin Bell is a Chief Executive Officer at Lincoln Park Zoo.