Meet the Zoo Director - November, 2009 - Gerry Brady, Potter Park Zoological Gardens

Name: Gerry Brady

Actual title: Zoo Director

Name of your zoo: Potter Park Zoological Gardens

Location: Lansing, Michigan

URL for your facility: www.potterparkzoo.org

Number of species at your facility: 133

Your favorite critter at the facility: Amur tigers are extreme

Total number of animals at your facility: 585

Number of visitors annually: 200,000

Number of employees: Peak Season 80 - 90

Number of volunteers: 200

Annual budget: 4.1 million

Degrees: Masters in Zoology, BA Biological Science, BA Chemistry

Experience prior to this position: After receiving my Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, I went to the South Pacific (Micronesia) and taught science for two years in the Peace Corps. In 1976, I joined the AZA and was hired as General Curator / Park Manager of Bear Country USA, Black Hills, South Dakota. I then went to the Sunset Zoo, Manhattan, Kansas as Zoo Director and five years later was hired as General Curator of the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo, Colorado Springs. In haste, I moved on to the great state of Michigan and have been the Zoo Director for 20 + years at the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan.

Favorite part of your job: Working on AZA accreditation materials (guess again). I really enjoy interacting with staff and visitors. The best comes when monies are secured for exhibit improvements, staff training, and new equipment. I love the daily excitement of talking with visitors and seeing their enthusiasm when touring the zoo.

One dream wish for your facility: That donor that writes a check for a one million dollar endowment fund.

Family: One girl friend, one son (18 – I need help), two step daughters, six grand children and a fantastic brother and sister.

Pets at home: Two cats, one pug, hissing cock roaches, rainbow boa, and three Michigan frogs

When you retire, you plan to: Move to Colorado to the mountains and continue conservation work in Asia and Africa