ROYAL OAK, Mich., December 9, 2008 – The Detroit Zoological Society has appointed Ida B. Tomlin to the position of Chief Operating Officer.  She is responsible for directing numerous operations of the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo, including facility management, security, volunteers, education, guest relations, concession and retail services, membership, marketing, communications, community and government relations and human resources.

Prior to joining the Zoo, Tomlin served as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Human Resources for the Detroit Science Center for seven years, and as Assistant Director and Head of Public Programs at Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., for seven years before that.  Her background also includes positions as a Program Administrator at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Director of Minority Affairs and Associate Director of Admissions at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Mass.

“Ida brings years of successful experience, excellent skills and a stellar work ethic,” said Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director/CEO Ron Kagan.  “Her leadership and management expertise will strengthen us in many ways.”

Tomlin received a master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Michigan, Dearborn, and a bachelor’s degree in Communications/Media from Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Mass.

Tomlin serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Republic, University Cultural Center Association, International Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum and Association of Midwest Museums. 

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October.  Admission is $11 for adults 13 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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