Meet the Zoo Director - July - L. Patricia Simmons, Akron Zoological Park

Name: L. Patricia Simmons 

Actual title: President & CEO

Name of your zoo or aquarium: Akron Zoological Park

URL for your facility: www.akronzoo.org

Number of species at your facility: 180

Your favorite critter at the facility: Jaguar

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 2,522

Number of visitors annually: 2008 – 328,953

Number of employees: Peak season – 150-170.

Number of volunteers: 114

Annual budget: $9.8 million

Degree(s): BFA – University of Cincinnati
MA in Management – University of Akron

Experience prior to this position:  Development researcher at Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio
Director of Development & Administration, Akron Zoo, Akron, Ohio

Favorite part of your job: Watching children delight in their discovery of animals

One dream wish for your facility: To be continually appreciated by our community

Family: Husband Bruce – Retired Professor, Runs family farm
Son Frank – Junior in high school

Pets at home: Three yellow Labradors – Twister, Stormie, Sky

When you retire, you plan to: Own my own business