After his first week on the job, CEO and President Bill Street talks about his first few days at the helm of Zoo Knoxville and what exciting projects are on the horizon for 2025.
Street has more than 30 years’ experience in the non-profit and for-profit sectors, including senior leadership roles at United Parks and Resorts (formerly SeaWorld and Busch Gardens), the National Wildlife Federation, the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and most recently the Indianapolis Zoo.
Street succeeded Lisa New, who served as president and CEO from 2013-23 and now heads the Dallas Zoo.
Listen to Street’s recorded interview: here.
“I’m honored and humbled to be a part of the team here and I look forward to finding ways that we can provide even more experiences for our guests to engage and connect with animals.” said Street. “Although we’re experts on animals and wildlife, we’re really about people and connecting them with our natural world. Through these experiences that you get at the Zoo with animals and wildlife, that helps instill a sense of wonder and respect for our natural world.”
Street has a long history with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), having co-chaired the Trends Committee and serving on the Government Affairs and Wildlife Conservation Committees.
Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Zoo Knoxville Drive, Knoxville.
Information provided by JJ Jones:jjones@zooknoxville.org.
