Zoo Director, Charles "Chuck" Wikenhauser

As director of the 200-acre Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Chuck oversees all Zoo administrative operations including a $26 million budget, a 2000-count animal collection, an annual attendance of 1.3 million visitors and a staff of 575 full-time/seasonal employees. Since he started as MCZ's Zoo Director in 1990, Zoo revenues have more than doubled and he has overseen over $80 million in capital improvements.

Prior to MCZ, Chuck served as director of the Pittsburgh Zoo, Pittsburgh, PA, from 1986-1989, director of the John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids, MI, from 1981-1985 and director of the Glen Oak Zoo, Peoria, IL, from 1973-1981. He began his zoo career as a zookeeper, at the Niabi Zoo, Rock Island County, IL, in 1973. Chuck earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1971.

Chuck has been a Professional Fellow with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) since 1974 and currently serves on the Accreditation Commission. He previously served as an Accreditation Commission Vice Chair. He has participated in 40 Zoo and aquarium accreditation inspections.

Chuck has traveled to Africa over 15 times visiting Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. In 1989 he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Chuck's Favorite Zoo Animals and Why:
Elephants and Penguins: "Both animals are fascinating to watch. Each individual has a personality of its own which affects how they interact with each other. I have had a chance to see each species in the wild."

If Chuck Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, He Would Be a:
"I would probably be a science teacher. Earlier in my career I participated much more in Zoo education programs. I really enjoyed introducing young people to how science affects their life and nature constantly."

Deputy Zoo Director/Administration and Finance, Vera Westphal

As deputy director of administration and finance at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Vera oversees all finance/administrative activities for the Zoo including accounting, budgeting, data processing, human resources, business office activities, capital project development, procurement, accounts payable/receivable, cash management and two trust funds. She manages a $26 million budget and 19 full-time/seasonal employees. Vera is also chair of MCZ's Green Committee.

Prior to MCZ, Vera served for fifteen years at the Milwaukee County Department of Administrative Services, as a fiscal and management analyst. While there, she administered Milwaukee County's $1 billion budget, analyzing and making recommendations for fiscal and policy changes to over 22 County departments including public safety, health, administrative and cultural.

Vera earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management and communications from Concordia University, Mequon, WI.

Vera's Favorite Zoo Animal and Why:
"It is so hard to pick a favorite animal because the Zoo has so many amazing animals to pick from large to small in size."

If Vera Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, She Would Be a:
"I would be a doctor. The human body is so fascinating and complex and the learning never ends especially with all of the ongoing advances in medicine."

Director of Animal Management and Health, Gary Lunsford

As a division director of the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Gary oversees all animal division teams and management of their operations. Gary’s responsibilities include oversight of the care and exhibit of the resident animal population, their health and welfare, as well as conservation and research programs.

Prior to his role at MCZ, Gary served as General Curator, Director of Zoological Operations and Senior Director of Animal Care & Conservation at Assiniboine Park Conservancy, Inc. in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 2012-2018. Prior to that he served as a Zookeeper, Lead Keeper, Curator of Aquariums & Children’s Zoo, Zoo Registrar & Curator of Education at the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 2002-2012. He also served in a number of different roles at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens from 1995-2001, primarily in Aquaticus and Island Life.

Gary earned a Bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix in 2007 and a minor in biology. He is skilled in team development, financial management and quality control.

Gary's Favorite Zoo Animals and Why:
“It would be too hard to pick a favorite species, as too many come to mind. But, for as long as I can remember I have had a bit of an obsession for turtles. I’m also a big fan of fish, aquatic invertebrates, crocodilians, otters, red pandas, penguins, gibbons and bongo. Yet, over the years my passion has been consumed by polar bears.”

If Gary Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, He Would Be a:
Engineer or graphic designer. Both appeal to his enthusiasm for creative development with one focusing on his math skills and the other on his artistic nature.

Marketing and Communications Director, Laura Pedriani

As marketing and communications director at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Laura oversees all public relations, special programs, group sales and special events with responsibilities including marketing, advertising, promotions and sponsorships. She oversees a $1.8 million budget and a staff of 42 full-time/seasonal employees.

Since she started as public affairs and services director in 1990, a la Carte has become one of metro Milwaukee's largest summer festivals; the Zoo's first website was established and then was redesigned in 2012; the Zoo has maintained its yearly attendance and status as Wisconsin's largest family attraction.

Prior to her role as public affairs and services director, Laura served as MCZ's public relations and special events coordinator, from 1987 to 1990, and as an assistant public relations coordinator, in 1986. She also worked as a public relations director for the Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL, from 1986 to 1987, and as a health information specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Health, Madison, WI, from 1985-1986.

Laura is a Professional Fellow with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Laura's Favorite Zoo Animal and Why:
"Giraffes are my favorite animals. They have sweet, gentle faces but can protect themselves when needed."

If Laura Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, She Would Be a:
"I would be a landscaper. I love the fact that you can see the results of your work immediately and I like working outside."

Curator of Primates and Small Mammals, Trish Khan

As Curator of Primates and Small Mammals at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Trish oversees and manages animal health, husbandry, breeding/acquisition, exhibits/buildings, budgets, animal staff and training/enrichment programs for 16 species of primates and 12 species of small mammals. She also supervises the Nightkeeper staff and duties.

Trish has a long history with the MCZ. She was hired as a Zookeeper in 1993 and followed her passion for primates to become the Lead Orangutan Keeper – a position she joyfully held for over 22 years. She was promoted to Supervisor of the Primate Department in 2000, eventually becoming the Curator of Primates and Small Mammals in 2015.

Trish earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 1990. She traveled to Indonesia in 1995, spending several weeks studying wild orangutans at Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting National Park.

Trish's Favorite Zoo Animals and Why:
"I love all primates. I have been so very fortunate to have shared my life with so many individuals that have shaped my life. My commitment to the care of an orphaned Barbary Macaque many years ago began my lifetime journey on the path of primate care and conservation. I have had the privilege of building close and lasting relationships with many amazing gorillas, bonobos, orangutans and monkeys. It has been rewarding, challenging and full of fun every step of the way."

If Trish Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, She Would Be a:
"Gardener/Flowershop keeper/Bookstore shelver/Wanderer"

Curator of Birds and Family Farm, Alex Waier

As bird and Family Farm curator at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Alex oversees and manages health monitoring, husbandry, exhibits/buildings, animal breeding/acquisition, animal staff, budgets and training/enrichment programs for over 80 species of birds and all Family Farm animals. As a member of MCZ's Safety Committee and Guest Service Committee, Alex works to enhance all employee and guest experiences.

Prior to MCZ, Alex served as supervisor of aviculture at SeaWorld, Orlando, FL, from 1996-2008. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, in 1988.

In 2004, Alex aided hand rearing of Caribbean flamingos from abandoned eggs collected near Rio Lagartos, Mexico, and in 2002 he participated in a census count for the Galapagos penguin in Galapagos, Ecuador.

Alex's Favorite Zoo Animals and Why:
"I will always be partial to the penguins as that is where I started in the field and they continually find ways to amaze and occasionally frustrate me, which makes every day a challenge. They are characters."

If Alex Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, He Would Be a:
"Teacher/Coach- I love spending time with my kids and watching them learn new skills. Watching children gain self confidence when they master a task is very rewarding."

Curator of Large Mammals, Tim Wild

As curator of large mammals at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Tim oversees and manages animal health, husbandry, animal staff, budgets, animal breeding/acquisition, buildings/exhibits and training/enrichment programs for 38 different mammal species.

Prior to MCZ, Tim served at the Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City, MO, as an animal area supervisor from 2004-2011, a hoofstock keeper from 2001-2004, and an elephant keeper from 1999-2001. He served as head keeper at Northwest Wildfowl, Everett, WA, from 1996-1998. Tim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, in 1991.

Tim's Favorite Zoo Animals and Why:
"African antelope. There is such a large and diverse number of species and each one has unique behavioral and ecological adaptations. Working with a variety of species really lets you see the subtle differences."

If Tim Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, He Would Be a:
Whale researcher

Curator of Aquarium and Reptiles, Shawn Miller

As the Aquarium and Reptile Curator at the Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ), Shawn oversees and is involved in collection planning, implementing exhibit design, current/future projects in the Aquarium and Reptile Center (ARC), as well as acquisition and disposition of animals in the ARC collection. He assists with day-to-day operations of the Zoo, acts as curator of the day once a week and is an extra set of hands when needed. Shawn oversees the ARC staff, roving zookeepers and 146 species.

He is the institutional representative to many Species Survival Plans (SSP®), Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG) and local conservation projects.

Shawn has a long history with MCZ. He started as a seasonal worker in the Grounds Department in 1996. Since then, he has been a Heritage Farm attendant from 2001-2003, an aquarium and reptile keeper from 2003-2011, a rover for one year and the Commissary supervisor from 2011-2018.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology with an emphasis in herpetology and minor in museum methods from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wis., in 2003.

Shawn's Favorite Zoo Animals and Why:
"That's a tough one. Currently, I would have to say our eyelash vipers. I really like their striking color and nasty attitudes. Overall, my favorite animal is the cruziohyla craspedopus, an Amazon fringe-legged frog."

If Shawn Had to Do it All Over Again and Couldn't Work at a Zoo, He Would Be a:
"I would probably still be breeding assorted reptiles and amphibians at home. As a career though, maybe I would be an adventure guide. I really enjoy traveling, camping, hiking, kayaking and river rafting. I'd find a way to put those pieces together and make a career. Also, I'd pursue my artwork more seriously."