History Committee
Purpose & Tasks
Purpose: Maintaining the legacy and continuity of ZRA by safeguarding its past and documenting its present as we grow and flourish.
Standing Tasks:
- Oversee the preservation and documentation of ZRA’s historical records and heritage
- Engage with members contribute to history records and share their stories, experiences, and artifacts related to ZRA.
- Stay current with preservation technology to ensure long term preservation
- Involve younger members in historical projects to foster a sense of continuity and respect for ZRA heritage
Current Goals & Projects
- Continue to edit the Milwaukee Archive Inventory on Google Drive with scanned, identified, and added documents.
- Possibly send someone to Milwaukee to help determine what’s scanned/available
- Find missing conference information
- Sort and organize incoming historical records from other ZRA members
- Create a History Committee Policy and SOP, retention plan
History Committee Resources
History Committee Members
-
Committee Chair
Jasmine Alvarado
Species Management Specialist
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
904-757-4463 x131
Leader since 2024
-
Committee Vice-chair
Faith Benassi
Exhibits Registrar
Milwaukee County Zoo
Faith.Benassi@milwaukeecountywi.gov
414-256-5448
Leader since 2024
Committee Members
Ian Shelley
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Member since 2026
Jenifer Joseph, MBA
none
Member since 2026
Katie Curran
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Member since 2026
Maria Korte
SeaWorld San Diego
Member since 2026
Nancy Butler
Detroit Zoo
Member since 2026
Sarah Foote
Potter Park Zoo
Member since 2026
Kayla Bennett
Dallas Zoo
Member since 2026
Caroline Seneca
Audubon Nature Institute - Zoo and Species Survival Center
Member since 2026
Elizabeth Johnson
Longneck Manor
Member since 2026
Misty Gray
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Member since 2026
Donna Bear
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Board Liaison
Annual Conference Committee
Bylaws Committee
Ethics Committee
ZRA Committees - Overview
Marketing & Outreach Committee
Membership Services Committee
Newsletter Committee
Nominations & Elections Committee
Professional Development Committee
Standards Committee
Strategic Planning Committee
Training Committee
Task Forces
Website Management
ZRA - About Us
Contact Us
General
Shelly Roach, President
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
P: 614-645-3429
F: 614-645-3465
shelly.roach@columbuszoo.orgMembership Chair
Vickie Edel, Chair
Audubon Nature Institute
P: 504-212-5369
vedel@auduboninstitute.orgProfessional Development
Rae Lynn Haliday, MBA, CRM/CIGO, FAI, Chair
Saint Louis Zoo
P: 314-646-4572
F: 314-647-7969
haliday@stlzoo.orgZRA connects, trains and empowers the community of zoo and aquarium registrars.