Elmwood Park Zoo Names Albert Zone as New Executive Director

According to a release from , the zoo's board of directors unanimously chose local entrepreneur and current acting executive director, Albert J. Zone, to fill the role permanently.

Zone, 33, is a Norristown native who first became familiar with zoo as a child. He has since become a passionate volunteer, supplier to and employee of the 88-year old institution last summer. He was selected to lead its 58-person staff following a national search chaired by Marilyn Tinari, head of the Middle School for Girls at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

“I’ve loved the zoo from the time I was a little kid, and to have the opportunity now to play so key a role in guiding it through this challenging economic time and into the future, is extremely personally rewarding,” said Zone. “The zoo is an important educational attraction that serves our youth and families in many ways, strengthening the social fabric of Norristown and Montgomery County.”

Zone traveled a circuitous and non-traditional route to his new position after graduating Summa Cum Laude from California University of Pennsylvania in 2001. There, he earned bachelors of science degrees in business management and hotel industries and operation while captaining the school’s football team and presiding over the Pennsylvania Student Athletic Advisory.

Zone embarked on a career in food service and club management before establishing the catering and entertainment companies that led to a professional relationship with the zoo and his employment as its business manager in 2011.  

Since joining the staff, Zone dramatically increased the zoo’s membership rolls and non-admissions revenue by aggressively marketing special events and exploiting its appeal as a site for parties, entertainment and family milestone celebrations. He also sought donor funds for and executed the expansion and renovation of the entire aged office space to create a pleasant, efficient work environment.

"Al Zone hit the zoo running and hasn’t slowed down since day one," said Cherifa Howarth, Chairwoman of the zoo’s 15-person board of directors and Vice President of G&C Waste Services, Inc., "He’s creative, manages inclusively, and has quickly assessed and addressed every business and animal situation he’s faced. He convinced me and the search committee that, among several extremely well-qualified candidates interviewed for the job, his key differentiator was a deep passion for the zoo, the people who staff it and the animals, which attract our visitors.”

Zone currently lives in Norristown with his wife and son.