Silver Spring, Maryland (September 25, 2007) - The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced Palmer “Satch” Krantz as its elected Chair of the Board for 2008. Krantz was sworn-in at a ceremony at the 83rd Annual AZA Conference held last week in Philadelphia.  “The members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have tremendous confidence in Satch Krantz,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Satch has the important job of leading and coordinating the work of 216 accredited zoos and aquariums as they increase their critical role in wildlife conservation.”
Satch Krantz began his career at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in January 1973 and has served as its executive director since April 1976, making him one of the longest serving zoo directors in the nation. He had previously served as chairman of the AZA in 1988, and as president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Krantz is one of only three American zoo directors to have led both of these organizations. He is the first zoo director to serve two chairmanships for AZA since WWII. Krantz has been heavily involved in the community Riverbanks serves. He is a past president of the board of Palmetto Richland Children's Hospital and the Columbia Rotary Club. He has also served as president of the Clemson University Board of Visitors and the University of South Carolina University Associates and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the River Alliance, Children’s Hospital, the Clemson University Alumni National Council and the AZA. In 1995 he received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Regional Cooperation from the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and in 2002 he was given the International Ambassador of the Year Award by the Committee of 100. He received the Global Vision Award by the World Affairs Council in 2005. Throughout his career, Krantz has traveled extensively, including thirteen safaris to six different African countries. In February 2002, he walked 120 miles across Tsavo National Park in Kenya, which was only the second time anyone had ever walked the Park's entire length. Krantz is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University. He and his wife Becky are the proud parents of two grown sons. Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org
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