Meet The Zoo Director - February - Jeffrey S. Swanagan, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Name: Jeffrey S. Swanagan 

Actual title: Executive Director

Name of your zoo or aquarium: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

URL for your facility: www.columbuszoo.org

Number of species at your facility: 766

Your favorite critter at the facility: Mandarin goby fish

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: 4,801

Number of visitors annually: 1,852,000

Number of employees: 220 Full-Time; 25 Part-Time; 1,000 Seasonal

Number of volunteers: 400

Annual budget: $45,000,000 Operating and $12,500,000 Capital

Degree(s): B.S. Comprehensive Science Education, The Ohio State University
Master’s degree in Technology and Science Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology

Experience prior to this position:

1980-1987 Columbus Zoo, Education Coordinator
1987- 1998 Zoo Atlanta, Deputy Zoo Director
1998-2002 Florida Aquarium, CEO
2002-2008 Georgia Aquarium, CEO

Favorite part of your job: Serving the community, watching the team grow and exceed its goals, the dedication of the people, the unique animal moments, and traveling to some of the world’s most exotic places.

Family: Wife – Suzy, seven children; Holley -27, Brian -24, Jennifer -23, Christina – 22, David-21, Chris- 21, Kevin- 17; five in college and three weddings in 12 months!!

Pets at home: Tropical fish - tetras

When you retire, you plan to: Live in Tampa and volunteer at the local zoo and aquarium