Supervisor of Herpetology, The Dallas Zoo

2003-2005
In November of 2003, I was promoted to Supervisor of Herpetology at The Dallas Zoo. The department, just recently having two of its own members elevated to management positions, found itself with a personnel shortage. Therefore, I continued to maintain up to two sections at a time while serving in a supervisory capacity. Even as a supervisor, I continued to learn from others in the department. In fact, I think I learned more about management from those that I managed than from my peers.
   

                                                                                    

    We eventually had some relief from the staffing shortage and everything was back on track when I decided to leave the department to pursue an academic career.  I still maintain contact with everyone who worked for me, and I continue to be committed to their success as individuals and professionals. I hope that I can return the knowledge and respect that they provided me by performing the roles of mentor and cheer-leader.
  

 

 

The crew at my going away party: Bradley Lawrence, Jessica Crowley, Michael Burger, and Samantha Snavely.

I moved very quickly through the ranks as a zoo professional, partially due to opportunities arising at key times. I would like to think that my networking skills, knowledge, education, and experience also played a critical role.  I found that communication is paramount to success in any endeavor. When it breaks down, the entire system suffers. However, when free discussion is the status quo, a culture of confidence and associated success can be achieved. This was the bedrock on which the department was founded and is a central theme to my personal management strategy. I hope to apply what I learned as a supervisor to my academic career and find even greater success as I turn this page in my life.  I enjoyed my time in the zoo field, and I will not entirely rule out a return in the future.