When he joined Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown a decade ago, Executive Director and CEO Al Zone brought with him 20 years of hospitality industry experience that included owning and operating his own catering and events companies, writes Lisa Dukart for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Some of the programs he implemented over the years include hand-feeding giraffes, which is now a quintessential experience at the site.

He also helped raise $6 million that secured a new jaguar exhibit and a permanent home for giraffes.

His efforts have grown visitors to the zoo sixfold in the last ten years, from around 100,000 visitors to 600,000 annually.

The zoo is also on pace to surpass that this year, with 700,000 visitors expected.

“My leadership style is very much ‘hands on’ in that I like to involve myself in the finer details of the operation,” said Zone. “At the same time, I work to empower our great leadership team so that they have the confidence to make decisions. I believe this formula is essential to allowing our leaders to excel and our organization to flourish.”

Read more about Al Zone, the CEO of Norristown’s Elmwood Park Zoo, in the Philadelphia Business Journal.