​There are seven elected executive board positions. Board members are elected for a term of one year, not to exceed four consecutive years. Candidates for the board must be docents/volunteer members who are not employed at an AZADV organization or organizational affiliate member. AZADV members must be present at the delegates’ meeting for the election. The board elects one of its members to serve as chairperson for the term of the board and appoints a non-voting (1) webmaster and a (2) parliamentarian, whose job it is to advise the board on matters of parliamentary procedure.

Board Chair and Membership Chair
VICKI DEFALQUE
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
[email protected]
Appointed in 2023
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: > 10–15 hours per week
• Accurately maintains a database of members
• Sends renewal notices and membership cards
• Sends membership cards, bylaws, AZAD history and disruptive behavior rules to new members
• Distributes roster updates to executive board monthly

Marketing/Communications Director
ALISSA CHENETSKI 
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
[email protected]
Marketing and Communications Director since 2024
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: 5-10 hours per week
• Manages AZADV’s email servicing account
• Creates and disseminates e-newsletters to membership
• Manages Facebook Group and social media team
• Spearheads marketing/content campaigns and initiatives

Conference Advisory Director
ELLEN KULIE
Detroit Zoo
[email protected]
Conference Advisory Director since 2022
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: >10 hours per week
• Recruit and work with conference hosts
• Update conference guidelines
• Keeps records of past conferences, including number of attendees, program, proceedings, and final report
• Sends a copy of most recent Final Report to elected hosts in the planning stages

Professional Development Director
JOANNE MASHALL
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
[email protected]
New board position as of 2022
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: >5-10 hours per week
• Plans and hosts educational webinars
• Manages AZADV Book Club
• Plans and organizes special events
• Promotes and facilitates member discussions in Facebook group

Newsletter Editor
PAM RYAN
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor since 2024
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: 30-40 hours per issue
• Annually produces 4-5 issues
• Establishes the production and mailing dates
• Plans newsletter content
• Solicits content, designs, and proofreads newsletter
• Position requires strong word processing and design skills

Treasurer
TOM BENNETT
Oakland Zoo
[email protected]
Treasurer since 2024
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: > 5 hours per week
• Is bonded
• Maintains AZADV checking account and monitors investments
• Manages cash flow and expenditures
• Collects and deposit annual dues and all other funds
• Develops annual budget
• Prepares financial statements, bank reconciliation, and expenditure reports.
• Works closely with the membership chair regarding membership renewal and application forms
• Furnishs financial records annually to CPA for "Agreed Upon Procedures" report and preparation of annual association tax return
• Checks biannually that the resident agent of Illinois is still active
• Works closely with successor to ensure all final reports are completed and to facilitate a smooth transition
• Knowledge of word-processing, Excel, and QuickBooks required
• Position requires accounting and financial statement experience, preferably with not-for-profits

Secretary
SHARI LARUE
Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
[email protected]
Secretary since 2021
Responsibilities

• Time Commitment: > 2.5 hours per week
• Prepares agenda and travel schedules for board meetings
• Records the minutes of all board meetings and the annual delegates' meeting
• Ensures that the abbreviated minutes of the annual delegates’ meeting are approved by board members before being read at the opening session of the annual conference
• Maintains the AZADV executive board, bylaws and rules committee, and the nominating committee notebooks
• Maintains an inventory of all AZADV-owned items
• Notifies, in writing, all committee members of their election or appointment
• Strong word processing skills required

Parliamentarian
JOHN PEEL
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
[email protected]
Parliamentarian since 2023
Responsibilities

• Advises the chair and other officers, committees, and/or members on matters of parliamentary procedure
• Assists with questions throughout the year that may arise in interpreting bylaws and rules or in connection with the work of the executive board, and/or committees
• Must be available for consultation during the executive board Interim meeting and must attend the executive board meetings held in conjunction with the annual conference. Does not make motions and does not vote during meetings
• Conducts the election of the AZADV chair at the in-coming/out-going executive board meeting
• Assists in the planning and steering of business to be introduced at the annual delegates meeting
• Attends the delegates meeting at the annual conference and acts as the timekeeper.
• In-depth knowledge of parliamentary procedure required

List of board members from previous years