FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Oct. 15, 2007)

Sean Greene Joins Dallas Zoological Society as
Director of Community Relations

	The Dallas Zoological Society (DZS) has hired Sean Greene as Director of Community Relations. Greene will be responsible for all community outreach efforts including revamping the volunteer program, building community partnerships, and serving as the public face of the Dallas Zoo.

“We are absolutely thrilled to recruit Sean as a member of our senior management team,” said Michael Meadows, president and chief executive officer of DZS. “He has a proven track record of success in developing strategic partnerships with area businesses and community groups. During his tenure at the Mill Mountain Zoo, he helped rebuild their reputation and successfully led them through the accreditation process of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  His charismatic personality and knowledge of animals and this region will be a real asset to our community outreach efforts.”

Prior to joining DZS, Greene was executive director of the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke, Va., where he was responsible for day-to-day operations and overseeing a $700,000 budget. He guided the Zoo to AZA accreditation in September 2007 and served as the zoo spokesperson. Greene also helped develop new sources of funding and increase existing financial support for Mill Mountain Zoo.

“In my experience, community partnerships have been the key to building support for our wildlife mission,” Greene said. “This is a phenomenal opportunity to work with a great team. I was blown away when I saw all the changes that have taken place at the Dallas Zoo.”

“I am very excited by the opportunity to work with Sean,” said Gregg Hudson, executive director of the Dallas Zoo and The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park.  “By adding his incredible talents to an already strong team with the Dallas Zoological Society, it gives us the opportunity to become one of the elite zoological institutions in the country."

Before moving to Roanoke, Greene was animal outreach director for the Fort Worth Zoo where he supervised outreach staff and volunteers, and created the Wild Wonders outreach education program. He also was responsible for the selection, care, and training of outreach program animals and served as a primary spokesperson for the Zoo. Greene began his zoo career as a promotions specialist for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio where he assisted Director Emeritus Jack Hanna on various wildlife programs and national media appearances. He also traveled throughout Ohio presenting wildlife education programs.

Greene earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from The Ohio State University, and has appeared on the “CBS Early Show," “Good Morning America," and “The Late Show with David Letterman." He is an AZA fellow and a board member of the Roanoke chapter of the Ohio State University Alumni Association. He has served on the boards of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators and the Something MAAgic Foundation. He received the 2005 National Headliner Award in public affairs broadcasting from the Press Club of Atlantic City for “Wildlife Radio."