Zoophoria!

The Story of the Modern Conservation Zoological Park as Told by its Leaders

"As a past interviewee for Zoophoria, I believe it to be a very valuable and factual documentation of the passion and commitment of the many fine people that are involved in zoo-based conservation. Over the past 20-30 years, accredited zoological parks have undergone a transformation from historical menageries to active participants in the global conservation community. Zoophoria is a great testimonial to this conservation revolution."

Rick Barongi

Former Director, Houston Zoo

Engaging the Next Generation in Conservation: A Conversation with Bill Street, Senior Vice President

Bill Street started his zoo and aquarium career as an intern at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and soon started as an educator at SeaWorld Orlando in 1992. Recently bought by Anheuser-Busch, SeaWorld was in a rapid period of growth. “I was fortunate in that I was so naïve that I thought it was normal to open a major attraction every year, produce and distribute publications on animals each week, to monthly broadcast via satellite into schools all across the country or to have

A Conversation with Roger Germann, President/CEO of The Florida Aquarium

Roger Germann began his career as a local television writer and producer in Chicago. “Communications was the backbone of my schooling and passion,” he remembered. He transitioned into working on the public relations side. “I worked for an agency and in Illinois state, local and federal politics,” Germann mentioned. In 2000, he was hired as Communications Director at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. “Because I worked in communications and understood messaging, I had the opportun

From Primitive Tanks to the Oceanarium: A Conversation with Bill Braker, Retired Director of the Sh

Over the course of his long career, Bill Braker transformed the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago from a small aquarium into the largest in the nation at the time of his retirement. He was also one of the original incorporators of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (then the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums) when it became independent from the National Recreation and Parks Association in 1971. Braker served as President of AZA and was an influential leader in

Looking Nature In the Eye: A Conversation with Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO of Shedd Aquarium

For decades, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has been regarded as one of the best aquariums in the world. In 2016, it appointed Dr. Bridget Coughlin as its President and CEO, only the third leader of the aquarium in the past fifty years. She has a number of visions and ideas for how Shedd Aquarium can continue to be innovative and impactful in the future. Here is her story. @ Shedd Aquarium Prior to joining Shedd Aquarium, Bridget Coughlin had never worked in aquariums. However, he

Reaching People: A Conversation with Ted Beattie, Retired President of the Shedd Aquarium

Since starting at the Cincinnati Zoo in the late 1970s to his retirement from the Shedd Aquarium in 2016, Ted Beattie was one of the most iconic and well-respected leaders in the zoo and aquarium profession. His work in marketing paved the way for zoos to market their exhibits and bring in guests through events and experiences like Zoo Lights and Boo at the Zoo. Beattie helped put both Zoo Knoxville and the Fort Worth Zoo on track to grow and develop during his stints as dire

Zoophoria!

The Story of the Modern Conservation Zoological Park as Told by its Leaders

Rick Barongi

Former Director, Houston Zoo

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