COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Board of Directors has tapped Interim CEO Tom Stalf as the organization’s new president and CEO.
“The Board commissioned an assessment of the organization–where it is now and where we want to be in the future. It became very clear from the report, and comments from many leaders in our community, that Tom Stalf is the right person to lead the Zoo and its other properties,” Board Chair Phil Pikelny said in a statement.
Stalf joined the Columbus Zoo in May 2010 as the Senior Vice President of Operations and one year later was promoted to Chief Operations Officer. The Board of Directors appointed him interim CEO when Dale Schmidt resigned in August 2012.
“My life has been dedicated to inspiring people to care about wildlife and wild places but I know I can’t do it by myself,” Stalf said.
Stalf will serve as president and CEO of the Zoo and it’s other entities, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club and the Wilds conservation center.
In 1995, Stalf became the youngest zoo director in the country when tapped to manage Niabi Zoo in Illinois. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Western Illinois University.
