KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Zoo Knoxville announced Monday that its board of directors would have new members and a new leader.
In a release, the zoo said Russ Watkins was appointed to a three-year term as Chair. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2015 and previously served on the Facilities Committee and the Future, Trends and Strategic Initiatives Committee. He is succeeding Chelly Clayton, who served as the zoo's leader since 2021. Clayton will stay on the board as the Immediate Past Chair.
Watkins is also the CEO of a real estate development company in Knoxville. The zoo's release said he has worked with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Tennessee, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and the Knox Are Chamber Partnership Economic Council in the past.
He also served as the Vice Chair of the Board while Clayton led the zoo's board of directors.
Three other people were elected to serve on the board of directors. Those new leaders are listed below.
- Greg Ashley: Chief Financial Officer for Stowers Machinery Corporation
- Dr. Robert DeNovo: INterim Dean of teh University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
- Rebekah Jane Justice: Cheif of Urban Design and Development for the City of Knoxville
