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Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens' Executive Director Dennis Pate Accepts Top Position at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Nationwide Search is Underway for Replacement

January 13, 2009, Jacksonville, FL – Officials at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced that its Executive Director, Dennis Pate accepted the position of Director and CEO at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. A veteran of three accredited zoos across the nation, Pate has been leading the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in achieving record growth and regional and national recognition since June 2002.  Pate will participate in the nationwide search for his replacement until he leaves on March 7, 2009.

“It has been a very rewarding experience to work at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and be part of its rise to prominence in the community said Dennis Pate.  “I’m very proud to have worked with such an exceptional group of board members and staff and know that the Zoo is well positioned to continue to succeed in the future.”  This is a community that has really supported its zoo.

“Dennis is not only a true leader and visionary, he is an excellent communicator,” said Ann Baker, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.  “The combination of those character traits has resulted in the opening of five exhibits in five years at our Zoo and Gardens: Range of the Jaguar, Giraffe Overlook and Savanna Blooms Garden; Wildlife Carousel; Play Park; and Gardens of Trout River Plaza. The sixth exhibit to open under his leadership, Asian Bamboo Gardens and Komodo Dragon, is scheduled to open in March 2009.   We will truly miss him both professionally and personally and wish him great success with his new zoo.”

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ awards received during Pate’s tenure include: 2008 AZA International Conservation Award; 2008 Greenscape of Jacksonville Civic Horticultural Leadership Award; 2008 Garden Club of America Zoo Horticulture Commendation; 2007 Florida Society of Landscape Architects; 2007 Florida Federation of Garden Club’s Statewide Award; 2007 Volunteer Jacksonville – Nature of Caring Award for Zoo Docents; 2006 Florida Library Association – Betty Davis Miller Award Youth Service; 2005 Advertising Federation of Jacksonville Telly Award for Children’s Audience category;  2005 AZA Exhibit Award – Range of the Jaguar.

Pate was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for 2008/2009, and previously served as Chair of the AZA Accreditation Commission and sat on the Honors and Awards and Nominating committees.  As fiscal year 2006/2007 Chair of the Jacksonville and the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Jacksonville), he worked with stakeholders in the region to promote conference and tourism growth.  

Omaha is considered by many to be one of the top ten zoos in the country with an extensive animal collection and a far-reaching conservation and research department.

For 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experiences in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Zoo is a non-profit organization and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Located on Jacksonville’s Northside on Zoo Parkway between I-95 and 9A, the Zoo is open year-round (closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day), 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with extended summer hours. General admission is $13.00 for adults and $8.00 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 are always admitted for free. For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

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