Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Zoo's Longtime Leader Announces Retirement
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
March 6, 2020

Share

After 11 years of having elephants and giraffes as coworkers, Scott Barton is hanging up his safari hat as CEO of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Barton announced his retirement this week.
“I am very proud of our accomplishments over the past 11 years and am always impressed by the remarkable support for Fresno Chaffee Zoo from our community,” Barton said in a news release. “Our team’s mission has always been to provide the Central Valley with a sustainable, world-class zoo experience. I’m confident the next generation of leadership will continue this vision at the Zoo.”
The zoo named Barton CEO in 2009. He will stay through the fall to provide a transition to his successor.
Last year, more than 819,000 guests passed through the turnstiles. The zoo boasts 18,000 membership households.

Measure Z Leads to New Exhibits


“I am very proud of our accomplishments over the past 11 years and am always impressed by the remarkable support for Fresno Chaffee Zoo from our community.”Scott Barton, retiring CEO
Barton oversaw the implementation of the original Measure Z in 2004 and helped lead in its extension in 2014. Voters approved the county sales tax each time, directing one-tenth of a cent for zoo projects.
The zoo delivered with such exhibits as Sea Lion Cove, African Adventure, and the Dino Dig.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo says Measure Z has raised $110 million over the last ten years.

Praise from All Around

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand commended Barton’s tenure.
“Scott has truly transformed Fresno Chaffee Zoo into one of California’s leading zoos and a first-class experience. A strong leader with a vibrant vision, Scott is deeply committed to the welfare of animals in his charge and he’s leaving big shoes to fill,” Brand said.
The zoo, which is run by the non-profit  Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation, says a nationwide search will be conducted for Barton’s replacement.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church

DON'T MISS

Valley PBS’ Top 2 Executives Departing. Were Their Resignations a Surprise?

DON'T MISS

Unfiltered Clip: Insights from Dr. Trita Parsi on Navigating the Israel-Palestine Conflict

DON'T MISS

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

DON'T MISS

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

DON'T MISS

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

DON'T MISS

How to Reclaim the Israel-Palestine Debate From the Radicals on Both Sides

DON'T MISS

US Airstrike Targeting Al-Qaida Leader in Syria Killed a Farmer, American Military Says

DON'T MISS

Today’s Campus Protests Aren’t Nearly as Big or Violent as Those of the Vietnam Era

DON'T MISS

Mike Yaz Homers at Fenway In Giants Win After Visit From His Hall of Fame Grandpa

UP NEXT

Valley Children’s Gets ‘Historic’ Gift to Boost Cancer Treatments. How Big Is It?

UP NEXT

Family Fun, Community Events Highlight Cinco de Mayo Weekend in Fresno

UP NEXT

Magical ‘Aladdin’ Delivers Magic Carpet Ride and Dad-Joke Humor

UP NEXT

Biden Says ‘Order Must Prevail’ on Campuses, but He Won’t Send National Guard

UP NEXT

Police Dismantle UCLA Tent Camp, Take Pro-Palestinian Protesters Into Custody

UP NEXT

This Classically Handsome Kitty Loves to Play with Anything That Rolls

UP NEXT

Fresno State Shows the Nation How a Peaceful Palestinian Protest is Done

UP NEXT

Fresno State’s Randa Jarrar Dragged Out of Event Featuring Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik

UP NEXT

Why Wheels on $10M Worth of Fresno Buses Don’t Go Round and Round

UP NEXT

Biden’s Historic Marijuana Shift Is His Latest Election Year Move for Young Voters

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

6 hours ago

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

7 hours ago

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

7 hours ago

How to Reclaim the Israel-Palestine Debate From the Radicals on Both Sides

7 hours ago

US Airstrike Targeting Al-Qaida Leader in Syria Killed a Farmer, American Military Says

7 hours ago

Today’s Campus Protests Aren’t Nearly as Big or Violent as Those of the Vietnam Era

8 hours ago

Mike Yaz Homers at Fenway In Giants Win After Visit From His Hall of Fame Grandpa

8 hours ago

Lagging Revenue Drives California Budget Deficit as Deadline Nears

8 hours ago

Valley Children’s Gets ‘Historic’ Gift to Boost Cancer Treatments. How Big Is It?

Californians Are Protecting Themselves from Wildfire. Why Is There an Insurance Crisis?

9 hours ago

Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church

Fresno police are investigating an incident of flyers posted on the exterior windows of Temple Beth Israel, and also at St. Anthony of Padua...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

Police Investigating Possible Vandalism at Jewish Temple, Catholic Church

Entertainment /
5 hours ago

Valley PBS’ Top 2 Executives Departing. Were Their Resignations a Surprise?

Video /
5 hours ago

Unfiltered Clip: Insights from Dr. Trita Parsi on Navigating the Israel-Palestine Conflict

6 hours ago

Hamas Is Sending a Delegation to Egypt for Further Cease-Fire Talks in the Latest Sign of Progress

7 hours ago

President Joe Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ Nations That Do Not Welcome Immigrants

7 hours ago

DEA’s Marijuana Reclassification Could Revive California’s Struggling Pot Industry

7 hours ago

How to Reclaim the Israel-Palestine Debate From the Radicals on Both Sides

7 hours ago

US Airstrike Targeting Al-Qaida Leader in Syria Killed a Farmer, American Military Says

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend