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AZA Staff
Administration
Jim Maddy
President and CEO
Jim Maddy is a nationally recognized leader in conservation policy and advocacy. Since joining the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 2006, he has implemented an aggressive and successful plan to improve Association member services. Under his leadership, the AZA has developed new corporate partnerships and built organizational capacity.
Jim previously served as President of the National Park Foundation (NPF) for nine years. There, he worked to strengthen the connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants and increasing public awareness.
Prior to NPF, Jim served as President of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) through four federal election cycles. LCV is the independent political voice for the environment, and Jim built the organization into a significant force for injecting sound environmental policies into the federal electoral process.
Jim broke ground as the first Executive Director of the Western Governors' Association (WGA). At WGA, Jim developed policies and programs in the areas of natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and state governance.
Jim's service on the Board of Directors for The Center for Clean Air Policy has put him at the forefront of climate policy and air quality issues since 1985. Jim is a founding board member and serves on the executive committee of the board.
As an active member of the Board of Directors of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), Jim is working to advance public service on behalf of the environment. SCA recruits over 3000 students at over 400 public land sites for ecological restoration, wildlife management, and environmental education. Jim chairs the audit committee.
Jim holds an M.A. in Economics from West Virginia University.
Kris Vehrs, J.D.
Executive Director
Kris is responsible for internal and staff operations functions at AZA. She provides counsel to the Association including review of contracts, bylaws changes, accreditation and ethical issues. Kris works with the Board of Directors to determine the focus of the Association.
Kris began working for AZA in 1979 when AZA was represented by the firm of Steele and Utz. Kris served as the Director of Government Affairs from 1981 until March 2000. Kris has a law degree from George Mason University.
Barbara Pueschel, B.A.
Board and Committee Liaison
Barbara joined AZA as executive assistant to the Executive Director in 2004, shortly after returning to the US from Dominica. Her responsibilities at AZA include providing administrative support to the Board of Directors, AZA Committees and the Executive Director.
Barbara has worked in independent education since 1985 primarily in development and publications. She has a B.A. in History and English from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has taken graduate courses in Art and Literature from Wesleyan University.
Laura Benson, B.S.
Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Laura has been with AZA since December 1997. She is responsible for overseeing the AZA finances including budget development, accounting operations, banking, investments, contract/ grant review and audit. She has worked with the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force to provide them with financial operations support for their growing programs. Additionally, she manages key administrative areas including human resources, information technology and office management.
Prior to joining AZA, she has worked extensively in the non-profit sector including the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Wheat Industry Council, American Association of University Professors and National Center For Tobacco-Free Kids (NCTFK). She joined NCTFK at inception and was responsible for establishing all financial, human resource, administrative and office facilities from the ground up. She also played an instrumental role in securing the founding grant of $20,000,000 for the organization. Her skills have been put to good use at AZA where she has helped to consolidate and restructure the organization.
Accreditation
Denny L. Lewis, M.B.A.
Vice President Accreditation Programs
Denny Lewis has had a career developing and managing certification and accreditation programs primarily in the scientific professions, including the American Institute of Chemists, the National Certification Commission in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, and the Association For The Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
A native of Washington, DC, he came to AZA in 1998 with a passion for wildlife that began as a child and continued through college, where he majored in business and studied zoology in elective courses. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland.
Jennifer DiNenna, B.S.
Program Assistant, Accreditation Programs
Jennifer assists with the Accreditation and Certification process, including accepting applications, setting up inspections, maintaining and updating records, and preparing for accreditation hearings.
A native of Maryland, Jennifer earned a degree in Zoology from the University of Maryland. She then obtained a Certificate of Accomplishment from Animal Behavior College. Prior to joining AZA, Jennifer was a manager of a pet sitting, boarding and day care facility. She then decided to follow her passion for exotic animals at AZA.
Jennifer is also a Professional Positive Reinforcement Canine Trainer. She continues to instruct obedience classes in her spare time.
Communications
Steven Feldman
Senior Vice President, Communications
Steve is responsible for managing all communications for AZA and serves as a spokesperson for the organization. His mission is to raise national awareness of the conservation leadership; high standards of animal care; and innovative science and education programs of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.
Steve joined the AZA after 20 years of experience as a leading communications strategist and counselor to many of the nation's top companies and associations. He has successfully developed communications and advocacy programs on a wide range of issues, with special expertise in the area of conservation. Steve's work has earned national recognition, including the PRWeek Award, the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil and the Inside PR Magazine Creativity in Public Relations Award.
Steve served as a senior aide to Senator Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (D-MI), where he developed significant expertise in the federal legislative process. He has also served as a spokesperson and writer for a number of political campaigns. He holds a Bachelors Degree in International Affairs and a Masters Degree in Political Management from the George Washington University.
Jackie Marks
Program Assistant, Communications
Jackie is responsible for providing public relations services for AZA member zoos and aquariums, highlighting their special events, conservation achievements and education programs.
Prior to joining AZA, Jackie completed a dual masters degree in International Affairs and Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from American University. As part of the program, Jackie lived in Costa Rica for one year studying at the United Nations affiliated University for Peace. Jackie's undergraduate degree is from Pace University in suburban New York, where she majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Psychology.
Jackie is dedicated to conservation and has interned at Oceana and Discovery Creek Children's Museum of Washington. Including Costa Rica, Jackie has lived outside of the US for most of her life, moving between Tanzania, Yemen, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands. She has worked with animals, including endangered sea turtles, birds of prey, reptiles and prairie dogs.
Courtney Jordan
Program Assistant, Communications
Courtney is responsible for continuing to strengthen communication between AZA and its members, while also assisting in conveying AZA's message to the public through various public relations efforts.
Courtney joined the organization just weeks after receiving her Master of Arts degree in Professional Communication from Clemson University in South Carolina. During her tenure at Clemson, Courtney interned at a Public Relations firm and taught Freshman Composition. She also interned at a non-profit organization where she developed its first internal communication plan. Courtney received her B.A. in English from McDaniel College.
Conferences and Membership
Melissa Howerton
Director, Conferences and Membership
Melissa develops, markets and manages AZA conferences, meetings and membership recruitment efforts.
Previous to AZA, Melissa worked for 8 years at the Newspaper Association of America managing meetings, membership recruitment and retention, and committee liaison work.
Melissa has a degree in Communications from George Mason University and currently resides in Maryland with her husband, Mike and son, Cole.
Cheryl Wallen, B.B.A.
Meetings Program Assistant
Cheryl joined AZA in January 2007. She assists the Meetings Manager with all aspects of the planning and execution of the Regional and Annual Conferences and other meetings for AZA.
Cheryl graduated from James Madison University with a B.B.A. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a concentration in Special Events and Meeting Planning. Prior to joining AZA, Cheryl completed an internship with a corporate concierge company in Fairfax, Virginia.
Aaron Tuttle. B.A.
Membership Coordinator
Aaron came to AZA as an intern in January of 2007 and has since moved into an Administrative Assistant position, providing administrative support to the President and CEO.
Aaron has a B.A. from Mount Union College in German and International Studies. Originally from Ohio, he moved to Washington, DC to pursue a Master's degree at American University in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, with a concentration in the environmental factors that contribute to conflict. He has lived and studied in Austria and Germany and has traveled extensively throughout Europe.
Conservation and Education
Paul Boyle, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Conservation and Education
Dr. Paul Boyle leads the Association's conservation education and science programs. He has over twenty-five years experience creating and directing conservation programs, environmental research, public education, and exhibit programs. Most recently, he served as CEO of The Ocean Project, a global initiative that he founded in 1997 to increase public awareness of the crucial roles the ocean plays in human survival and to engage people in becoming personally involved in being a constituency for the ocean.
Paul was Director of the New York Aquarium and its Osborn Laboratories from 2002 to 2006. He has served on the AZA Board of Directors and as liaison to the Board of Regents and the Charter and Bylaws Committee. He also chaired ADISC, and served as an advisor to the Animal Welfare Committee.
He earned a B.A. in Biology and Marine Science at Northeastern University, a Master's in Environmental Engineering at Harvard University, and a Doctorate in Applied Environmental Sciences, also at Harvard, and graduated from the Wharton School's Executive Management program.
Debborah Colbert, Ph.D.
Vice President for Animal Conservation
Dr. Debborah Colbert joined AZA in September 2008 as the Vice President for Animal Conservation and is responsible for overseeing AZA's core animal programs, facilitating the work of AZA's members in cooperative population and collections management, and the advancement of AZA's conservation and science initiatives.
She was the Captive Manatee Care and Training Coordinator at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium for over nine years and has an extensive background in conservation research, with a particular focus on manatee sensory biology, behavior, animal training and husbandry. She has cetacean stranding and sea turtle care experience and has managed large corps of volunteers.
Most recently, she served as Director of Research and Education at Sea Life Park in Hawaii, where she received a NOAA - John Prescott Grant in 2007. She has served as Secretary on the International Marine Animal Trainers Association's (IMATA) Board of Directors and is currently their Research and Conservation Committee Chair.
She earned her B.A. in Psychology from New College, the Honors College for the State of Florida. She earned her Master and Doctorate degrees in Psychology (Cognitive and Neuroscience) with a minor in Marine Biology from the University of South Florida.
Candice Dorsey, M.S.
Director of Animal Conservation
Candice joined AZA in September 2008 as the Director of Animal Conservation. Among her responsibilities is advising and supporting AZA's Taxon Advisory Groups, Species Survival Pans, Population Management Plans, Regional Collection Plans and studbooks. She works with the VP and Senior VP in advising animal management and conservation related board-level committees, such as the Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee, and the Animal Welfare and Field Conservation Committees. Candice also directs AZA's Conservation Endowment Fund (CEF) grant program and serves as a scientific liaison to other AZA departments and their programs.
Candice earned her BA in biology from St. Mary's College of Maryland and received her MS in Conservation Biology from American University, where her thesis focused on the developmental stability of the Florida manatee. She has also completed internships on Western lowland gorilla behavior, population genetics of the black footed ferret, captive giant panda foraging, and molecular biology. Candice is currently finishing her Doctorate in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University and the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center. Her research was primarily focused on captive black rhinoceros health and was partially funded by AZA's Conservation Endowment Fund.
Shelly Grow, M.S.
Conservation Biologist
As conservation biologist, Shelly's primary responsibility is to help AZA members respond to amphibian population declines. Shelly works closely with the Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group, AZA members, public awareness and education committees, and global partners.
Shelly began working on amphibian issues at AZA in May 2007 after serving as the program coordinator for the Butterfly Conservation Initiative since December 2003. She received a B.A. in environmental studies from Grinnell College and an M.S. in sustainable development and conservation biology from the University of Maryland. Prior to working at AZA, Shelly worked on organic and sustainable agriculture research and policy with the US Department of Agriculture and the Henry A. Wallace Center for Agriculture and the Environment at Winrock International.
Rachel Penrod, B.S.
Program Assistant, Conservation and Science
Rachel started in August 2006 as the AZA program assistant responsible for administration of the Conservation Endowment Fund grants, maintaining and updating the Conservation Programs Database, and publishing the monthly Conservation and Science Report.
Prior to working in the Conservation and Science Department at AZA, she worked in the Marketing Department as marketing program assistant. In that role, she assisted in the development and production of several National Awareness Campaign tools, including the Wildlife Friendly Yard packets and Wonders of Water II Toolkit. Before her time at AZA, Rachel worked as an advanced intern for conservation education at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Group Education Programs, where she taught informal education programs focusing on animal welfare and conservation. She has also worked in the Marketing Department at The Nature Conservancy. Rachel earned a degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland in 2004, where she concentrated in Politics and Policy, with a focus on international development and resource economics. Her favorite animal is the Patagonian cavy.
Melissa Yuen, B.S.
Program Assistant, Conservation and Science
Melissa joined AZA in December 2004 as the program assistant responsible for overseeing collection, managing the online database, and producing summaries on the Annual Reports on Conservation and Science (ARCS).
Prior to working at AZA, she has participated in over three years of research on songbird auditory mechanisms, avian nutrition, and various projects relevant to poultry husbandry. She earned a degree in Zoology from the University of Maryland. Some of her favorite animals have been: the great white shark, wolf, otter, raven, and fossa.
Government Affairs
Steve Olson, M.S.
Vice President Government Affairs
Steve became Director of Government Affairs in March 2000. The Government Affairs Department represents the interests of AZA before Congress and Federal agencies. The Department monitors Federal legislation and regulations, analyzes the impact of bills and regulations on AZA members and develops position recommendations with the Government Affairs Committee and the AZA Board of Directors, supplies information on legislation and regulations to its member institutions, and works with government officials on developing effective Federal legislation, regulations and partnerships.
Steve received his B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Management from Colorado State University. In 1987, Steve began work for the U.S. House of Representatives' Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. Steve has also worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the project manager for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and the National Coastal Resources Institute as its executive director.
Marketing
Jill Nicoll
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Strategies
Jill is responsible for securing national corporate sponsorships designed to support and raise the visibility of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and support the work of AZA. In addition, she is responsible for revenue generating activities associated with the AZA Annual Conference, CONNECT magazine and Commercial Memberships.
Jill joins the AZA with 20 years experience in the area of corporate partnerships, most recently as a consultant and prior to that as EVP/COO at the National Park Foundation where she worked leading corporations including the Ford Motor Company, Discovery Communications, Kodak, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Target Stores and American Airlines, among others. Before joining the National Park Foundation, Jill was a PR Manager at United Media in NY, where she handled the partnership with Charles Schulz and the PEANUTS characters. Jill holds a Bachelors Degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband, two kids, two cats, one dog and assorted fish.
Jay Vestal
Vice President Sales and Marketing
Jay works with Jill Nicoll to secure new corporate sponsors to benefit both AZA and member zoos and aquariums. Jay works with zoo and aquarium marketing directors to design annual and one-time promotions, special events and marketing campaigns for companies and their brands.
Jay worked for ten years as Vice President for two Congressionally-chartered public lands nonprofits, the National Park Foundation and subsequently, the National Forest Foundation. He was responsible for corporate, foundation and individual philanthropy through a combination of fundraising, marketing and events in support of the National Park System and the National Forests and Grasslands.
Jay began his fundraising career in 1972 as Director of Development for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, and later at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. During an eleven-year career with CMN, Jay helped to perfect "cause-related marketing", at the time a new strategy for aligning corporate objectives with the interests of charitable causes through brand promotional programs. Jay spent three years with a New York based advertising agency, Bozell Worldwide, developing values-oriented advertising campaigns for a variety of national nonprofit organizations.
A native of Dallas, Jay holds a degree from the University of Memphis. A parent of three grown children, he resides in Salt Lake City with his wife, Eileen.
Muri Dueppen
Marketing Manager
Muri joined the AZA staff in January 2008. She works with AZA's Commercial Members to improve their marketing initiatives, including advertising, exhibit booth space, and meeting sponsorships.
Previously, Muri has held multiple positions at both a small, private zoo and a scientific association. Her experience includes animal caretaking, wildlife education, membership development, and 15 years of marketing management. Most recently, Muri served as a free-lance consultant while stay-at-home parenting and taking graduate business courses.
Muri earned her B.S. in Biology from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1991 and will soon obtain a graduate certificate from the University of Maryland, University College in Integrated Direct Marketing. She also completed the association's School for Professional Management Development in 1994, when it was still known as AAZPA.
Meghan Mogensen
Marketing and Administrative Assistant
Meghan is responsible for tracking annual promotions, coordinating corporate sponsorship submissions, maintaining the marketing database as well as providing administrative support to the President and CEO.
A native of Virginia, Meghan earned a B.S. in Business Management from Virginia Tech.
Meghan has been immersed in exotic animals and the zoo industry since birth, as her parents have dedicated their lives to operating two private zoological facilities. As a youth she raised numerous animals ranging from pheasants, llamas, skunks, turtles, kangaroos, cockatoos, pot bellied pigs and porcupines. In high school she spent several summers teaching reptile identification classes at a youth camp. And prior to joining AZA, Meghan worked with tortoises, small primates, flamingos, and lemurs.
Professional Development
Geri Philpott, M.S.
Program Training Manager
Geri joined AZA in September 2004. She works closely with the Board of Regents to coordinate the Professional Development Program. Geri also works with George Mason University on the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies concentration in Zoo and Aquarium Leadership degree, which prepares students for advanced careers in modern, professional zoos and aquariums.
Geri has a master's degree in Environmental Studies, concentration in Environmental Education, from Antioch New England Graduate School, Keene, NH, and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI. Prior to joining AZA, Geri coordinated international biodiversity training programs at the National Zoological Park in Washington, DC.
Susannah Brooks
Program Training Specialist
Susannah joined AZA in September 2007 as an assistant to the Program Training Manager. She serves all aspects in professional student development. She earned her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Utah. Prior to joining AZA, Susannah was an education coordinator / school programs manager at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Publications
Tim Lewthwaite, M.A.
Publications Coordinator
Tim joined AZA as Publications Manager in September of 2004. He is responsible for producing AZA's Connect magazine and the Membership Directory. Prior to joining AZA, Tim was Director of Communications for Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, MD, where he produced the alumni magazine and managed the school's Web site. He has also worked as a freelance writer and editor and has been published in Presstime, the Newspaper Association of America's magazine, Equus, a leading equestrian magazine and African Voices, a literary magazine based in New York.
Tim has a master's degree in professional writing from Towson University.
Web Site
Kate Bronislawski, M.P.A.
Director, Web Services and New Media
Kate joined the staff of AZA in 1997. Her responsibilities include managing all of the content on the AZA web site, maintaining the site architecture, and coordinating the site's databases.
Prior to joining AZA, Kate managed institutional research and NIH-funded medical research at several colleges and universities and then established resource and information centers at both Georgetown University and at the American Public Garden Association.
Kate holds a master's degree in public administration from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.
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