McKnight named zoo president
Announcement follows record-breaking year for nonprofit.
The Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society announced on Tuesday that it has hired a president and chief executive following a national search to replace Andrew Aiken, who stepped down in November.
Margo McKnight, the former senior vice president of conservation, science and research at the Florida Aquarium, will take over the post May 21, the zoo said.
The announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for the nonprofit, which welcomed 330,000 visitors in 2017.
“While our national search allowed us to meet many exceptional candidates, we are certain Margo is the person to take our zoo to the next level in achieving our mission to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world,” Michele Kessler, the chairwoman of the nonprofit’s board of directors, said in a statement released by the zoo. “With more than 37 years of experience leading forprofit and not-for-profit conservation and Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) organizations, Margo brings a wealth of skills, talent, and energy.”
At the Florida Aquarium, McKnight created the groundbreaking coral conservation collaboration with the National Aquarium of Cuba.
She is also credited with designing the organization’s Center for Conservation at Apollo Beach, which focuses on shark, sea turtle and coral conservation.
Prior to that, she served as the executive director of the Wildlands Network conservation organization.
Aiken’s abrupt departure followed a difficult period for the zoo.
On April 15, 2016, a Malayan tiger took the life of zookeeper Stacey Konwiser.
A state report released in October blamed Konwiser, the keeper who worked closely with the tigers, for not following “established safety procedures” and
exonerated the zoo of any wrongdoing.
Investigations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Occupational Safety and Health Administration also blamed Konwiser, who died of a neck injury, according to the medical examiner.
After Konwiser’s death, the zoo announced it added more training for keepers and installed a two-key lock system and cameras in the night house enclosure where she was killed.
In August, the zoo faced another challenge as calls mounted for charities to move events from President Donald Trump’s Mara-Lago Club.
As pressure on social media grew, Aiken announced that the zoo would pull its annual gala from the club.
In October, the zoo announced that two bush dogs were presumed dead after their habitat flooded.