Dr. Dwight Lawson joined the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden in May 2014 as Executive Director/CEO. As the Executive Director, he plans, coordinates, and directs the day-to-day operations and long-term management of the Zoo, and ensures the Zoo’s continued development. Dwight came to Oklahoma City from Zoo Atlanta where he served as Director, Senior Vice President of Collections, and General Curator. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Master of Science in Biology and a Ph.D. in Quantitative Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington. His doctoral degree is based on more than 4 years of field research on the diversity, evolution and natural history of exploited rainforest reptiles in Central Africa. Much of these studies were undertaken while concurrently developing and directing a wildlife conservation project in Cameroon, Africa. Dr. Lawson is a Professional Fellow member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). In addition, he serves as Vice-President of the non-profit conservation organization, the Turtle Survival Alliance. He is a graduate of Leadership OKC. Dr. Lawson resides in Edgemere Park with his wife, Dr. Rebecca Snyder, and daughter Rory.
Jane Jenkins is President and CEO of Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership. With over 30 years of experience in downtown revitalization and management, Jane is an internationally recognized speaker and expert on urban issues. She is a former Chairman for the International Downtown Association Board of Directors and is also active in the International Economic Development Council, Urban Land Institute, and the American Institute of Architects. In 2014, Jane earned accreditation from the Congress for New Urbanism and she was recently named a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Place Management in Manchester, England. A former high school educator, Jane was named 1982 Teacher of the Year at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas in Denton.