OKC Zoo Names Executive Director/CEO
The Oklahoma City Zoological Trust is proud to
announce Dwight Scott as the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s
Executive Director/CEO.Scott will assume his responsibilities on July 1, however in the meantime he will periodically visit to become acclimated with Zoo staff and to assist with immediate needs including long-range planning and human resources. Brian Aucone, Director of Animal Management, who has served as Interim Executive Director since January 2008, will assist in the transition process.
Mr. Scott comes to the Zoo from the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum where he has served as the Assistant Director since July 2006. Prior to this, Scott spent four and 1/2 years as the Director of Animal Management at the Oklahoma City Zoo where he also served as Assistant Curator of Mammals beginning in October 2000 and Curator of Mammals from November 2001 until being promoted to Director of Animal Management. Scott began his career in 1994 working for three years as a keeper at the Kansas City Zoological Gardens, followed by three years at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He was initially the primate keeper at Disney and later the night shift Zoological Manager. Scott is a graduate of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Professional Development Program, completing Management School Training in 2001. He is a professional member of AZA and is a member of the Ape Taxon Advisory Group and the Gorilla Behavior Advisory Group.
For completion of his degree, Scott conducted research on chimpanzees and orangutans at the Kansas City Zoo. He graduated from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts with an emphasis on anthropology. A native of Chillicothe, Missouri, Scott now resides in Owasso, Oklahoma with wife, Kathy and 16-month-old daughter, Kristina.
The search committee for the Executive Directorship consisted of Zoo Trustees, committee chairman Dick Beshear, Byron Gambulous and Donna McCampbell. Also, Assistant City Manager M.T. Berry, former Zoo Trust Chairman and Oklahoma Zoological Society President Bob Hammack, Oklahoma Zoological Society President, Kristi Mathis-Mikawa and president-elect Vince White, along with Zoo staff members Tara Henson and Ernie Wilson. The selection process began in January 2008.
“Dwight brings passion and excitement for the Zoo, its staff and its continuing growth within the community,” said Trust Chairman Dick Beshear. “He possesses a positive management style, tremendous personnel skills and a broad range of animal knowledge and will be a true asset to our city.”
Former Zoo Executive Director Norberto “Bert” J. Castro resigned in December 2007 to become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Phoenix Zoo.