Laserfiche WebLink
Schultz C& Williams <br />development, management, marketing <br />September 26, 2011 <br />Mr. Kent Yamaguchi <br />Zoo Manager <br />Santa Ana Zoo <br />1801 E. Chestnut Ave <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />RE: Santa Ana Zoo Management Assessment & Options Proposal <br />Dear Kent, <br />Based on our recent discussions and the City's request to study the potential future management <br />options for the Santa Ana Zoo, 1 am pleased to submit this proposal for your review and approval. The <br />underlying premise or objective of this study is to determine how best to leverage or eliminate/reduce <br />the City's general fund subsidy in support of the Santa Ana Zoo. The purpose of this study to identify the <br />potential management options, assess the strengths and weaknesses of each option along with the <br />financial impacts on the City of Santa Ana and Zoo and finally to make a recommendation on the most <br />viable and sustainable management option for the Santa Ana Zoo and the City of Santa Ana. <br />Given our extension experience in managing the "shift in the governance of zoos," we believe that our <br />assessment and recommendation will allow the Zoo to remain a treasured community resource while <br />providing for a viable and sustainable business model that will support the future needs of the <br />communities that the Zoo serves. Our recommendations will be realistic and achievable and will provide <br />the strategic framework for the Zoo's future financial, organizational and operational plans that will be <br />developed once the future management structure has been approved. <br />As we discussed, Gregg Hudson, Executive Director of the Dallas Zoo, will work with me in completing <br />this study. Gregg's experience in managing the shift in governance at the Dallas Zoo will be an <br />invaluable resource for us to draw upon in outlining the potential future management options for the <br />Santa Ana Zoo. As you know, I worked with Gregg to develop the transition plan for the Dallas Zoo and <br />Gregg has been instrumental in helping to frame some of the key issues related to the governance study <br />that we are completing for the North Carolina Zoo. <br />In addition, my recent involvement with the City of Dallas, City of Tulsa, and the leadership of <br />Milwaukee County Wisconsin and Kent County Michigan, in developing their respective zoo privatization <br />plans, will be an invaluable resource to you and City leaders in ensuring the Zoo's future growth and <br />viability. <br />QUALIFICATIONS <br />Schultz & Williams (S&W) is uniquely qualified to develop the Zoo's governance plan and organizational <br />analysis. S&W has extensive experience working with zoos of all sizes. We have helped develop <br />strategic, business and operational plans for over 75 AZA accredited institutions with operating budgets <br />