He was a member of the AZA board of directors and served as chair from 2012 to 2013, and is a member of the executive committee of the Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center Network and of the board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He previously worked at SeaWorld in Orlando and the Nauticus maritime center in Norfolk, Virginia. The Florida native has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Stetson University and a master’s in biological sciences from the University of Central Florida. According to the announcement of his hiring, he helped advance conservation work there and raised almost $100 million for the aquarium. Schmid, 58, came to Columbus from the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, which he joined in 1996, rising through the ranks to become president and CEO in 1999. Schmid said the loss of accreditation won’t affect zoo visitors or animal care but will impact participation in the Species Survival Plan breeding program and animal exchanges, the latter of which could potentially result in the loss of some zoo animals.

“If I’m listening to what they’re saying, they just want to see more time to make sure these changes are sticking.” “Honestly, most of the work has been done,” he says. Schmid says the application submitted earlier this year is solid. The zoo can apply for accreditation again in September. “At the end of the day, I don’t think it was a big surprise,” Schmid says of the denial.

The zoo appealed the AZA’s decision, citing new leadership as well as improved financial oversight and animal care and acquisition processes. More: The denial of the zoo’s accreditation appeal and what it means

Tom stalf columbus zoo