PEORIA, Ill. – Friday, June 14 is Peoria Zoo Director Yvonne Strode’s last day, as she retires after nearly two decades with the zoo.
“Yvonne’s unwavering commitment to animal welfare has been a cornerstone of her leadership at Peoria Zoo,” says Emily Cahill, Executive Director of Peoria Park District. “Her passionate gift of her time and talents have impacted our Zoo and our community in ways that will benefit future generations.”
On Friday, the Peoria Park District announced Strode’s successor…Max Lakes. He joins the Peoria Zoo from Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana, where he served as its director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Max Lakes to Peoria and our Peoria Park District family,” Cahill says. ” His varied experiences in animal care, education, and business leadership, combined with his innovative approaches and passion for connecting communities with wildlife, make him the ideal person to lead Peoria Zoo into its next chapter.”
Lakes has also held key positions at zoos in Kansas and Ohio, demonstrating his commitment to animal care and educational outreach. He says being from the Midwest, Peoria feels like coming home.
Lakes started his new role with the Peoria Zoo on May 27.
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