The National Elephant Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit managed by a Board of Directors. The Board establishes strategic direction, partnerships and governing policies and will manage The Center. The Board is responsible for fundraising to support capital development and operations. Members of The National Elephant Center board of directors are:

Rick Barongi, Chairman
Houston Zoo

Craig Piper, Vice Chairman
Denver Zoo

Dennis Pate, Treasurer
Henry Doorly Zoo

Mike Blakely, Secretary
Little Rock Zoo

Mark C. Reed, Past Chairman
Sedgwick County Zoo

Dr. Anne Baker
Toledo Zoological Gardens

Dr. Bob Dale
Butler University

Martha Fischer
St. Louis Zoo

Dr. Bill Foster
Birmingham Zoo

Gregg Hudson
Dallas Zoo

David Jones
North Carolina Zoological Park

Kim Smith
Oregon Zoo

Steve Taylor
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Keith Winsten
Brevard Zoo
 

Staff

John Lehnhardt
Interim Executive Director

Jeff Bolling
Chief Operating Officer

Former board members:

• Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, President and CEO, St. Louis Zoo

• Mike Crowther, President/CEO, Indianapolis Zoo

• Mike Fouraker, Executive Director, Ft. Worth Zoo

• The late Clayton Freiheit, President/CEO, Denver Zoo

• Dr. Deborah Jensen, President/CEO, Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle)

• Mike Keele, Deputy Director, Oregon Zoo

• Jerry Borin, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium