David Traylor Zoo’s longtime leader is in the process of transitioning into retirement.
With the hire of new director Brenda Young announced last week and Young’s official start earlier this week, Keith says she is now the zoo’s assistant director. And the early returns on the Brenda Young era are promising.
Keith has been on the zoo staff 32 years, including the last 16 as director after the facility’s namesake, David Traylor, retired after his own lengthy career leading the zoo. She will work at the zoo until Oct. 1 and then take on a remote role until her official retirement date Jan. 1.
Keith says retirement will include time with grandchildren, travel and possibly work in a support role for the zoo, including fundraising. The city has set 1-4 pm Sept. 27 for Keith’s retirement reception at the zoo.
Young will be KVOE’s Newsmaker guest at 7:20 am Thursday.
As Young gets acclimated and Keith prepares for retirement, the zoo has its latest big public event coming Sept. 20. Zoo Brew: A Night in the Wild will be from 5-8 pm Sept. 20, featuring a catered dinner from 627 Event Space, drinks from Radius Brewing, Trolley House and Turquoise Tavern and live entertainment from Brickhorse. Tickets are $50 a person and available online at efoz.org or by calling 620-341-4365.
