News Release

June 26, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Photo Download: Richard G. Gamble.jpg

Chicago Zoological Society Announces Richard G. Gamble as
Senior Vice President of Operations

Brookfield, Ill.—The Chicago Zoological Society is pleased to announce its new Senior Vice President of Operations, Richard G. Gamble of Chicago. The selection follows an extensive national search to fill the key leadership position, which is responsible for internal business and park operations and oversees major areas of the operation of Brookfield Zoo, serving more than two million guests each year.

A Chicago native, Gamble most recently served as Vice President & General Manager of Chicagoland Publishing and Publisher of Chicago Magazine for the Chicago Tribune Media Group. During his impressive 16-year career with the Tribune, he held several leadership positions, including Vice President of Finance & Operations, Publisher & General Manager for Exito! Newspaper, Director of Business Development, and Director of the Packaging Division.

Prior to his employment at the Tribune, Gamble held various logistics and operations positions for Taco Bell Corporation and McMaster-Carr Supply Company, all which added to his deep experience and skills to assume the Society’s leadership position.

“Rich has an impressive portfolio of operations and business experience. Equally important, he has a passion for our work here,” said the Society’s President and CEO, Stuart Strahl, Ph.D. “We know Rich from his volunteer work as a Chicago Zoological Society board member, and we reached out to him when the position opened six months ago to see if he would be interested in joining our team. He’s coming from one iconic leader in the Chicago area to another iconic cultural institution.”

“I have the privilege of bringing my diverse management, marketing, and operations skills and experience to one of the premier zoological institutions in the country, and one that I’ve long admired,” said Gamble. “I’m joining a team of committed professionals that every day is making a positive difference for wildlife, kids, families, visitors, and our community. “I and my family love Brookfield Zoo. I feel so fortunate for the chance to pursue my personal passion and to help educate the next generation of conservationists.”

Gamble said that while it is difficult to leave the Tribune family after so many years, he feels good about his significant contributions throughout the years. “I know they support me following my heart,” Gamble said. “I know there are many good people in place at the Tribune to carry on.”

He and his wife, Melissa, have a daughter. Gamble holds a Masters of Management degree from Northwestern University with concentrations in marketing, management strategy and planning, and organizational behavior.

An active community leader, he serves on several nonprofit boards, including Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Loop Alliance, Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and SOS Children’s Villages of Illinois, among others.

The Chicago Zoological Society’s mission is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for Brookfield Zoo's innovative, naturalistic, multispecies exhibits and for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service. For further information, visit www.CZS.org.

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