Sacramento Zoo’s director to resign. Board names new leaders amid move to Elk Grove
The Sacramento Zoo faces an era of change in the coming months. As the zoo prepares for its transition to Elk Grove, it will also gain new leadership.
The zoo announced Friday that Executive Director and CEO Jason Jacobs will step down from his position to move closer to his family in Florida.
Current chief operating officer and chief financial officer Robert Churchill will become interim executive director as the Sacramento Zoological Society’s board searches for a permanent leader. This is his second time in the role, first serving before Jacobs joined.
Kevin Bell, former president and CEO of Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, will join as chief strategy and new zoo advancement officer. He will play a “pivotal role” in driving forward the development of the new location in Elk Grove, according to a news release from the zoo.
“We are thrilled to have Kevin Bell support our leadership team and to see Robert Churchill take on the role of Interim Director once again,” said Elizabeth Stallard, chair of the Sacramento Zoo’s board, in a statement. “Together, they will not only ensure smooth operations but also push the boundaries of what’s possible as we advance the development of the New Zoo. We are confident in their combined leadership and vision as we enter this exciting new era of growth and innovation.”
Jacobs joined the zoo in 2017 after a stint as director of the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona. Over the last four years he oversaw the effort to move the Sacramento Zoo from its longtime location in Land Park to a 65-acre plot of land near Lotz Parkway and Kammerer Road, allowing for more animal exhibits and larger spaces for expanded habitats.
The Elk Grove City Council finalized the decision to approve construction of the $302 million project in May.
“While we are sad to see him go, his decision offers an exciting opportunity for us to infuse new leadership that aligns with our bold vision as we embark on our next chapter,” Stallard said in a statement.
Elk Grove Deputy City Manager Kara Reddig commended Jacobs’ work as executive director and expressed excitement about the future of the zoo project, in a written statement on behalf of the city.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jason Jacobs for his remarkable leadership and contributions, and we wish him every success in his future endeavors,” she wrote. “The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society remain united in our commitment to bringing a world-class zoo to life, one that will inspire and delight both our residents and visitors for years to come.”
This story was originally published October 4, 2024 at 3:45 PM.
