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GREENVILLE ZOO FOUNDATION

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The Greenville Zoo Foundation is a non-profit organization that serves as an independent community outreach group, whose purpose is to provide financial, resource and advocacy support for the needs of the Greenville Zoo.

As a 501(c)3 organization, the Greenville Zoo Foundation’s efforts assist the Zoo in completing its mission to service the Upstate of South Carolina by promoting an appreciation of nature and wildlife while providing innovative programs for education and conservation.

Board of Directors 2018


Bill West

CEO, Ellipsis Technologes

Chair of the Board

Volunteerism: Board, Bike and Build; President, Upstate Film Society; Mentor, Clemson MBA Program

Hobbies or interests: Cycling

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: It is the perfect small town zoo for a family day.


Chris Lewis

Professional Sports Executive & Leader

Volunteerism: VisitGreenvilleSC Board member, Ambassador – Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Covenant United Methodist Church Volunteer

Hobbies or interests: Playing sports with the kids, watching my daughter’s soccer games, golf, fantasy football.

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: It is a great place to unwind and spend some good, low key family time.


Laura K. Whitney

Physician, The Children’s Medical Center, PA

Volunteerism: Junior League of Greenville

Hobbies or interests: Cooking & Golf


Ben Uereta

Architect, Principal, DP3 Architects

Volunteerism: Treasurer CESA Boys Premier U16; Social Chair Leadership Greenville LG40; Guest Reviewer, Mentor at Clemson University Undergraduate/Graduate Studios

Hobbies or interests: Photography, Field Sketching, Wood Working, Reading, Music, Exercise, and following his kids around the state, the country and the world with their team sports

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: The animals of course! It is amazing the excitement that the animals can infuse in people of all ages, kids and grownups alike!



Lynne D. Jones, CPA, LLC

Volunteerism: Board member, Children’s Museum of the Upstate (former treasurer), Sustaining member Junior League of Greenville, Greenville Women Giving, Advisory Board Member, Pelham Medical Center Leadership Greenville Class #38, Team member and board member, Greenville Hospital System Every Woman Cycling Team

Hobbies or interests: In my spare time, I enjoy cycling, cooking, and spending time outdoors with my husband and 14-year old son

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: My favorite thing about the zoo is the memories I have of bringing my son there when he was little and we just moved to Greenville and I didn’t know a soul.  It’s the perfect size to walk through with a toddler.  We  spent many an afternoon listening to the monkeys howling and swinging on the playground.  At the same time, however, zoos are timeless.  They bring joy to everyone no matter what your age!



Mat Hultquist

President, The Hulquist Firm, CPA, PC

Co-treasurer of the Board

Volunteerism: Board Treasurer of NEXT High School; Board Treasurer of Augustine Literacy Project of the Upstate; Advisory Board Member of the Small Business Development Center

Hobbies or interests: Running and spending time with family

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: To see the look of wonderment on my kid’s faces every time they see the animals up close!



Matthew Praytor

Project Manager, Triangle Construction Company

Volunteerism: Deacon at Fourth Presbyterian Church

Hobbies or interests: Traveling and Saltwater Fly Fishing

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: Bringing his daughter to the zoo and watching her reaction of joy and amazement, and of course the incredible new tradition of ZooTunes!



Chris Manley

Managing Partner, Engenius

Volunteerism: Chairman of ReFrame Association; Chairman of the Greenville Nonprofit Alliance; board of Rebuild Upstate; volunteer with Junior Achievement; and active leader at Bethesda United Methodist Church

Hobbies or interests: Spending lots of time with his kids and family, Reading, Hiking, and Traveling

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: Hearing the monkeys scream…and seeing kids yell back at them with huge smiles on their faces.



Thomas Parry

VP Business Development, NorthPage, LLC

Hobbies or interests: Cycling, Farming, Youth Baseball

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: The reptiles.



Tommy Flinn

Vice President, Corporate & Institutional Banking, PNC

Volunteerism: I deliver a monthly route for Meals on Wheels of Greenville and serve on the Board of Directors at Safe Harbor, Inc.

Hobbies or interests: Playing golf and spending time with my black Lab “Finley”

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo:  The Orangutans



William Coxe

Private Client Advisor at Greenwood Capital Associates

Volunteerism: Christ Church Episcopal Church, Pleasantburg Rotary Club and Episcopal High School Alumni Chair

Hobbies or interests: Spending time with my wife in North Carolina Mountains, Hunting and Fishing, Golf, Cooking and traveling

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: Great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and ZooTunes!



Brett Wright

Dean, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University

Volunteerism: Parks; Zoos; Youth Organizations

Hobbies or interests: Hiking, Visiting National Parks, Golf

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: I enjoy the park-like, intimate setting.


Eric Jarinko

General Manager, Greenville Drive


Matt Dunbar

Founder and Managing Director, VentureSouth 



Naiden Kremenliev

President at Carolina Precision Manufacturing

Co-treasurer of the Board


Jon Hammond

General Counsel, ChartSpan


Steve Trakas

Senior Operating Director, Gibbs International

Volunteerism: Board of American Red Cross; Board of Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta Strategic Project

Hobbies or interests: Travel, Golf, Cooking, Spending time with friends & family

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: Special learning moments that parents share with children…priceless.


Brenda Connell

Sparkle Creator, TK PR

Volunteerism: Marketing and Branding Committee Member for Junior Achievement of the Upstate SC

Hobbies or interests: Traveling, reading and spending time with friends, family and my two rescue dogs.

Favorite thing about the Greenville Zoo: The adventurous and fun events offered for all ages to appreciate and enjoy wildlife, from Brew in the Zoo to Saturday Safari ! 



Lydia Thomas

Executive Manager, Greenville Zoo Foundation

The Greenville Zoo Foundation is a non-profit organization that serves as an independent community outreach group, whose purpose is to provide financial, resource and advocacy support for the needs of the Greenville Zoo.

As a 501(c)3 organization, the Greenville Zoo Foundation’s efforts assist the Zoo in completing its mission to service the Upstate of South Carolina by promoting an appreciation of nature and wildlife while providing innovative programs for education and conservation.

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Call or Email Us:
Office: +1 (864) 627-4200
Email: lthomas@greenvillesc.gov


Address:
150 Cleveland Park Drive
Greenville, SC 29601

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