FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUE ALLEN 216-635-3338 -or- 216-780-1368
Cleveland Metroparks announces Christopher
Kuhar, Ph.D., as the new director of the Zoo. Kuhar will
begin his new position in January following the retirement of
longtime director Steve Taylor.
�After an extensive national search, we vetted a deep pool of
qualified zoological professionals and found the best candidate in
our own backyard,� said Cleveland Metroparks Executive Director
Brian Zimmerman. �Chris possesses a wealth of knowledge,
exceptional talents and leadership that will continue to strengthen
the Zoo's important mission to connect people with wildlife.�
Kuhar expressed his appreciation by saying, �I am honored to be
given the opportunity to lead such a wonderful organization and
work with so many talented people. I hope to further the
outstanding reputation of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in this
community and throughout the world.�
Kuhar becomes the tenth director in the Zoo's 130-year history,
taking over for current director Steve Taylor, who's served in that
role for 24 years.
�Steve Taylor has been a great mentor to me and I hope to be
able to build upon his many accomplishments,� Kuhar said.
In his new role, Kuhar will be responsible for managing the
Zoo's extensive animal collection, as well as overseeing the daily
operations of the facility. In addition, he will help
implement the Zoo's master plan and integrate it into the larger
strategic plan for Cleveland Metroparks. He will report to
Zimmerman.
Kuhar, 39, joined the Zoo in 2008 as Curator of Primates and
Small Mammals. His duties expanded and his title was changed
to Curator of Animals in 2012.
Prior to that, Kuhar was the Research Manager at Disney's Animal
Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, where he studied animal
behavior for nearly five years. He previously worked as a
Research Assistant at Zoo Atlanta from 2000 to 2003 and Cleveland
Metroparks Zoo from 1997 to 2000.
Kuhar received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from
the University of Akron in 1997, his Master of Science in zoology
from Oklahoma State University in 2000 and his doctorate in
experimental psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in
2004.
Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Kuhar and his wife, Gayle, reside
in Strongsville with their two children.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Marketing & Public Relations
Sue Allen: 216-635-3338 or 216-780-1368
"mailto:to@clevelandmetroparks.com">sja@clevelandmetroparks.com
