OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — It's been 14 years since a new head of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was announced. A new era began this week with a new zoo director, Dr. Luis R. Padilla, DVM, Dipl. ACZM.
On Friday, the new President and CEO of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium introduced himself during a press conference and shared his excitement to be there.
"I couldn't be more happy to be at this place. I look forward to getting to know the community even better," said Dr. Padilla. "There are many things about the community that I'm looking forward to experiencing to the College World Series, some of the local dining places."
Additionally, Dr. Padilla spoke about what brought him to Omaha and his past experience.
"It's always been clear even going back to the 1990s when I was a veterinary student," aspiring to work in a zoo," said Dr. Padilla. "That Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is a very special place."
Dr. Padilla succeeds Dennis Pate, who will retire. Pate attended the press conference and there were opening comments by Mogens Bay, Chairman of the Omaha Zoological Society Board of Directors.
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