School is out and parents are looking for activities to keep children entertained, mentally stimulated and out of the house --- Well, how about some lions, tigers and bears?
Wildlife expert and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Tom Stalf  joins us this morning from his world-famous Heart of Africa exhibit to talk about some exciting new opportunities to experience wildlife in our hometown.

 
As President and CEO, Tom Stalf leads the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club and the Wilds conservation center with a single focus – inspire people to make a difference for wildlife and wild places. Annually more than 2.4 million people visit the Columbus Zoo and its other entities making it one of the most successful zoological institutions in the country and a significant economic engine in central Ohio.
 
Tom brings to his leadership role more than 20 years of experience gained by first working as zookeeper and then advancing quickly through every aspect of zoo management – from animal care to exhibit design to financial management to strategic visioning.  He became the youngest zoo director in the country when tapped to manage Niabi Zoo in Illinois in 1995 and guided that zoo to gain national accreditation for the first time.
 
A tireless champion for wildlife, Tom uses his gift of storytelling and love of education to help inspire people to join the Zoo’s mission to protecting animals globally and locally. He has traveled with Jack Hanna for education programs, zoo promotions and national television appearances for more than 15 years, and he does regular speaking engagements and television appearances, as well as speaks on behalf of state and federal legislation that affects wildlife.
 
Tom places a high priority on animal welfare and conservation, and he has traveled to several countries where the Zoo supports programs that help people help protect wildlife including a program helping save mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Africa. Globally, the Zoo has more than 70 conservation projects in 30 countries that are supported by $1 million raised through public donations and fundraisers each year.
 
Tom joined Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in May of 2010 as the Senior Vice President of Operations and one year later was promoted to Chief Operations Officer. The Board of Directors appointed him President and CEO in February 2013.  He is a professional member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has served as an AZA accreditation mentor and is currently a member of the Government Affairs committee.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Western Illinois University.

-Press Release