Celebrated North Carolina Zoo CEO Pat Simmons Passes Away at 61
ASHEBORO, NC – Pat Simmons, the esteemed CEO and Director of the North Carolina Zoo, passed away on July 14 after a five-year battle with cancer. She was 61.
Simmons, who joined the North Carolina Zoo in 2015, brought over 41 years of experience in zoo management, including a notable tenure at the Akron Zoo from 1985 to 2014. A prominent figure in the zoo community, she served as Chairwoman of the Board for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 2012 and was on the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.
Cheryl Armstrong, executive director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, expressed profound gratitude for Simmons’s contributions: “Pat’s warmth and wisdom will be cherished. Her legacy of kindness and integrity will continue to inspire us.”
Under Simmons’s leadership, the North Carolina Zoo was recently voted the “best zoo in the country” by Newsweek, an acknowledgment she attributed to the dedication of her team. In a past interview, Simmons highlighted their commitment to providing exceptional service and impactful conservation efforts.
2024 marks not only the North Carolina Zoo’s 50th anniversary but also its achievement of botanical garden accreditation, a distinction awarded to only a handful of zoos nationwide.
Rep. Brian Biggs, R-Randolph, praised Simmons as a visionary whose initiatives would ensure the Zoo’s legacy for future generations. He noted, “Her careful planning and bold vision expanded our mission, enhancing global conservation programs and creating new habitats.”
Simmons leaves behind a lasting impact, not just in zoo management but also in mentoring staff and championing women in leadership. Her dedication to fostering connections between people, animals, and nature continues to resonate within the community she helped build.
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