Journal file photo
Mulvena
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- After 20 years leading the Roger Williams Park Zoo, Jack Mulvena announced Friday that he will step down Jan. 31 to start a management consulting business, JFour Associates.
"There simply comes a point when it's time to move on and allow new energy and vision to take the Zoo to its next phase," Mulvena said in a press release. He has served as the society's executive director for 20 years, 10 as zoo director.
Under Mulvena, the zoo raised $30 million for such projects as Hasbro's Our Big Backyard featuring the CVS Caremark All Kids Can Treehouse, a $10-million expansion of the elephant and giraffe exhibits, plus a new veterinary hospital. The zoo logged 600,000 visits yearly and doubled membership to more than than16,000.
John Palumbo, a former zoo board chairman, will lead the national search for a new director.