Skip to main content

January 31, 2019

Saint Louis Zoo Association Elects New Officers, Names New Members

Saint Louis Zoo Association elected new officers and announced new board members at its last meeting on Dec. 6, 2018. The Saint Louis Zoo Association provides leadership for fundraising, conservation education, programming, facilities, government relations and special events.

President of the Association is John Sondag, President, AT&T, Missouri (retired). Vice President is Wendy Henry, Managing Partner, BKD, LLP. Treasurer is Kenneth Hannah, Chief Financial Officer, Caleres. Secretary is James E. Williams, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Estel Foods, Inc., and Immediate Past President is Joseph Ambrose, Vice Chairman, First Bank. The officers will serve two-year terms, which began on Jan. 1, 2019.

Members serving on the Saint Louis Zoo Association's executive committee are:

  • Kathy Schmitt-Federico, Executive Manager, Jack Schmitt Chevrolet of O'Fallon
  • Steven Finerty, Chairman, Argent Capital Management
  • Randell E. Gelzer Jr., Senior Director, Government Operations, Boeing Company
  • Pamela A. Glaser, J.D, ChFC, CLU, First Vice President/Investments, The Private Wealth Management Group/Stifel
  • Janis G. Goldstein, Community Volunteer
  • Michael J. Hickey, Attorney, Lewis Rice, LLC
  • Molly Hyland, Senior Vice President, Director of Community and Government Relations, Commerce Bank
  • Kenneth A. Johnson, AAA Missouri President and Chief Executive Officer (retired), Saint Louis Zoo Docent
  • Michael P. McMillan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.
  • Patrick J. Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer, PJM Advisors LLC
  • Lisa W. Nouss, Community Volunteer
  • Gwendolyn D. Packnett, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (Retired), University of Missouri - St. Louis
  • Thomas P. Pollihan, Senior Investment Consultant, Mercer
  • Gregory Portell, Partner, A.T. Kearney
  • Robert T. Sharp, Executive President, Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions, Emerson
  • Maria G. Taxman, Community Volunteer, Honorary Consul for Honduras

New members of the board include:

  • Ed Cabbabe, M.D., FACS, President, Advanced Plastic Surgery
  • Nina Orthwein Durham, Trustee, William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation
  • Charles Henson, Diversity Manager, BJC Healthcare
  • Ricky Hopkins, Owner, A-List Realty Firm
  • Ryan Martin, Vice President and Chief Audit Executive, Ameren
  • Jennifer McGrath, Community Volunteer
  • Steve Pope, DVM, Chief Executive Officer, Pope Animal Hospital
  • Steve Schankman, President, Contemporary Productions
  • Lisa Sullivan, Global Accounting Lead and Assistant Controller, Bayer
  • Kevin Travers, Chief Executive Officer, Premium Retail Services
  • Lottie Wade, Community Volunteer

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Saint Louis Zoo 314/781-0900
Billy Brennan, 314/646-4633, Brennan@stlzoo.org
Christy Childs, 314/646-4639, Childs@stlzoo.org
Mike De Pope, 314/646-4703, DePope@stlzoo.org

About the Saint Louis Zoo

Home to over 16,000 animals, representing nearly 500 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research, and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo attracts approximately 3 million visitors annually and is the most-visited attraction in the region. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Saint Louis Zoo is part of an elite group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care as well as provide fun, safe and educational family experiences. The Saint Louis Zoo and the other AZA-accredited institutions collectively dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation and education programs. For more information, visit stlzoo.org.