Nashville Zoo, Inc.
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615-833-1534
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3777 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
Organization Details

Executive Director


Executive Director Mr. Rick Schwartz
E-mail rschwartz@nashvillezoo.org
Term Start November 1989
Rick's Experience: Rick Schwartz has been heavily involved in the world of conservation for more than thirty years. He is known internationally for his expertise in big cats and for his personal devotion to the preservation of the highly endangered clouded leopard. Since 1989 he has been the director and primary architect of Nashville Zoo. He is a leader in conservation both in Tennessee and around the world. Mr. Schwartz's relationships with animal experts around the globe have allowed Nashville Zoo to successfully import some of the rarest species in the world, creating new genetic pools for the United States captive population. As a leading expert in zoo design, development and maintenance, Mr. Schwartz's utilization of current resources and creativity are an asset to the organization. His knowledge of animal care and husbandry, landscape and horticulture, building materials and contracting has kept the Zoo from incurring the expense of hiring outside contractors and consultants.

Senior Staff


Name Title
Mr. Andy Tillman Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Kim Pridgen Chief Financial Officer
Mr. David Oehler Vice President
Ms. Jami Geselle Chief Human Resources Officer
Beth Bush Chief Development Officer

Staff

Full Time Staff 238
Part Time Staff 85
Volunteers 321
Contractors 0
Retention Rate 65%

Plans & Policies

Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan? Yes
Does your organization have a Strategic Plan? Yes
Years Strategic Plan Considers N/A
When was the Strategic Plan adopted? March 2023
Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan? No
Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan? Yes
Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? Yes
Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy? Yes
Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy? Yes

Evaluation

Is there a formal evaluation for... Frequency (if applicable)
CEO/Executive Director Yes Annually
Senior Management Yes Annually
Non-Management Yes Annually

Affiliations

Affiliation Year
Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network 2007
Hospitality TN 2023
Intermuseum Council of Nashville 2004
Music City Concierge Association 2013
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce 2001
Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation 2012
Williamson County Chamber of Commerce 2009
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2013

External Assessments and Accreditations

Assessment/Accreditation Year
Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2019
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2023
U.S. Department of Agriculture 2023

Awards


Award / Recognition Organization Year
10Best Reader's Choice Awards- Top 5 Best Exhibits for Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear USA Today 2019
America's Best Restroom for the cotton-topped tamarin exhibit in one of the women's restrooms Cintas 2019
Salute to Excellence CEO of the Year Award Finalist - Rick Schwartz Center for NonProfit Management 2012
Certificate of Merit - Grassmere Historic Home & Farm Tennessee Historical Commission 2015
Commissioners' Award - Grassmere Historic Home & Farm Metro Historical Commission 2015
Excellence in Construction Award for Entry Village Greater TN Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors 2016
Excellence in Construction Award for the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center Greater TN Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors 2019
Innovation in Education for the Croft Middle Design Center Partnership Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2019
Top Honors International Conservation Award - Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2016
Most Admired CEO Award Finalist - Rick Schwartz Nashville Business Journal 2012
Perfect 100% for Financial Health and Accountability and Transparency Charity Navigator 2016
Top Honors Exhibit Award - Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2019
Perfect 100% for Financial Health and Accountability and Transparency Charity Navigator 2019
Excellence in Construction Award for Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear Greater TN Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors 2018
LEED Silver Award for the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center U.S. Green Building Council 2019
Significant Achievement International Conservation Award - Okapi Conservation Project Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2018
Significant Achievement International Conservation Award - Lowland Tapir Conservative Initiative Brazil Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2018
State Wildlife Action Partnership Award for the Tennessee Hellbender Recovery Partnership Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2013
Salute to Excellence Leadership Award Finalist Center for Nonprofit Management 2012
Award of Commendation - Cemetery Dedication Ceremony at Grassmere Historic Farm Tennessee Association of Museums 2015
Top Honors Exhibit Award - Tiger Crossroads Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2020
Edward H. Bean Award - Clouded Leopard Conservation Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2020
Award of Excellence - Nashville To Miami To Havana: Cuba, Castro and the Croft Family American Association for State and Local History 2020
Award of Excellence - Educational Programming "Nashville to Miami to Cuba" Public Program Series  Tennessee Association of Museums 2020
Award of Excellence - Grassmere Historic Farm New Interpretive Graphics  Tennessee Association of Museums 2020
Perfect 100% for Financial Health and Accountability and Transparency Charity Navigator 2020
Award of Excellence - Morton Family Exhibit Tennessee Association of Museums 2022
Leadership in History Award of Excellence - Morton Family Exhibit American Association for State and Local History 2022
Top Honors Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award - Morton Family Exhibit Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2022
Top Honors Facility Award - HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center Association of Zoos & Aquariums 2023
Excellence in Construction Award - Komodo Dragon Exhibit Associated Builders and Contractors - Greater Tennessee Chapter 2023