Columbus Zoo's CEO Dale Schmidt Resigns

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has a new director. In a written statement, the zoo says its board of directors met August 21 to accept the resignation of current director Dale Schmidt “for personal reasons effective immediately.â€? The zoo’s COO Tom Stalf has assumed the role of interim president and chief executive officer. Tom Stalf joined the Columbus Zoo in July, 2010. Board Chair Tim May says Stalf has the board’s full support. May says Director Emeritus Jack Hanna will work closely with Stalf during the transition to a new zoo director. Dale Schmidt became director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium upon the death of then-CEO Jeff Swanagan in 2009. Details about the search for a new president and CEO will be announced later by the board of directors.