Omaha Magazine
By Maureen O’Halloran Clark
May/June 2009
When Dennis Pate called to purchase cable for his new home, the woman on the phone commented on his previous city. “Jacksonville, Florida. Our new zoo director is from Jacksonville.”
“Well, yes. That’s me.” he said. She then recounted how important Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is to the community and to her family. He promised to take good care of it.
On March 16, Dennis Pate became the zoo’s executive director and CEO, stepping into the shoes that Dr. Lee Simmons had filled for 39 years. Propelled by Dr. Simmons’ vision, Omaha’s zoo grew from 13 employees to 235 full-time and 450 part-time employees with a budget of $22 million. In May 2004, Reader’s Digest named it “America’s Best Zoo,” and the zoo has made multimillion-dollar additions since then. Simmons takes on the vital role of Omaha Zoo Foundation’s chairman of the board of directors.
Pate comes with thirty-five years of progressive advancement at three accredited zoos. Kevin Bell, Chair-elect of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is confident that Pate will indeed take good care of the zoo. He has known Pate for 30 years. When Pate was an animal keeper at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, Bell was his supervisor. Later, when the zoo privatized, Bell, its executive director, asked Pate to return to the zoo as senior vice-president. “Dennis has always been one of the top people in our field, a rising star from those early days. I knew it was only a matter of time before Dennis would be lured to another institution as director/CEO.”
In 2002, Pate left Chicago to become the executive director of the Jacksonville zoo. He managed a $12.3 million budget with 240 employees. He oversaw the opening of the zoo’s $15.4 million Range of the Jaguar, $6.7 million Play Park and five other exhibits.
Bell states, “Omaha brings Dennis the opportunity on the science side, to enhance the already incredible reputation that Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo has, nationally and internationally, in terms of conservation and science-based programs.” As one example, he cites its work in amphibian conservation. Though other zoos participated, “What separated Henry Doorly out were the molecular genetics and other programs that very, very few zoos actually had. I credit Lee (Simmons) with getting the resources to get that work done, but also with being a leader in the zoo community to further science-based management and science-based research that helps us better take care of our animals both in U.S. zoos and internationally.”
Another example of its science-based research involved patented technology to reduce or eliminate pathogens in semen or other biological samples. This focus on research was one of the things that attracted Pate to Omaha. “Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is a national leader in conservation research and this sets it apart from other zoos in the U.S.,” explains Pate.
Pate’s thirty-five years of working with animals and people were evidenced during this photo shoot/interview in the Desert Dome and Lied Jungle. In between being introduced to a black-headed python, a sulfur crested cockatoo, golden lion tamarins, and an iguana, he obtained information from zoo staff, responded to two photographers’ requests, visited with Omaha Magazine editors, and answered this writer’s questions. Some of this was conducted amidst the roar of cascading waterfalls, the squeals of children, and the ear-piercing hoots of gibbons. He handled all of it with gentle calmness. Don’t misinterpret that, though. He recalls netting wolves and bears in the years before good animal anesthetics were available.
Pate can appreciate the diversity and size of Omaha’s animal collection; in fact, it was one of the draws for him. Last year, he was elected to the board of directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Previously, he served as chair of the AZA Accreditation Commission. He states, “The animal collection here is in the top two or three in the country. This zoo has not been afraid to build world-class scale exhibits.” In addition, the Omaha Zoological Society, the nonprofit corporation that owns the zoo, is planning to buy the Rosenblatt Stadium from the city when the new downtown ballpark is finished in 2011. He admits, “That was very appealing to me to be able to have property that we can expand into.”
He notes that this is a great zoo and a community icon because of Dr. Simmons’ consistent leadership over several decades. “That makes all the difference in the world.” The level of support for the zoo from business and community leaders also impresses Pate. “For me to be able to lean on the John Gottschalks and the Grewcocks and the Walter Scotts for advice is a pretty incredible thing. This zoo doesn’t just have to be as smart as me and the staff. We have people who are wise way beyond Omaha. To be able to bring that expertise here is probably why the zoo has done so well.”
He also comments that the family membership fee of $83 is less expensive than comparable zoos and even smaller ones. Last year, the zoo drew 1.4 million people. On his first Saturday, the zoo had 9,700 visitors. With all of the zoo’s great exhibits, he observes that zoo attendance has increased over the years and expects that it will continue. He will focus on accommodating these increases and is monitoring the need for more ticket booths, restrooms, parking spaces, and the like, to ensure that the zoo provides an optimal “guest experience.”
To research the guest experience for younger visitors, Pate will be bringing in a consultant, his 5-year-old son. Now that will give him real data as to what a treasure this zoo is to families.
Article text © copyright 2009 Maureen O'Halloran Clark. All rights reserved.