Lake Superior Zoo Names Interim CEO

New exective has background of nonprofit leadership

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo announced today that it has hired an interim CEO.

Dave Benson will serve as interim CEO at the Lake Superior Zoo, following seven years as executive director and three years as development director at the Daminao Center in Duluth.

“Dave brings years of knowledge running an important local non-profit organization, including strategic planning, managing diverse operations, raising funds, and directing a capital campaign,” stated Diana Bouschor Dodge, president of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit Lake Superior Zoological Society. “His management skills are what we need to help the zoo move forward in an exciting time of transition opportunity.”

Since leaving the Damiano Center in March 2016, Benson has worked as a consultant, helping improve the performances of teams and individuals. Benson told FOX 21, “I was really impressed in my process coming to the position at how well things are set up. They’ve been working hard on the way the zoo is managed, on its sustainability, on the quality of the experience for visitors, and the animals and the whole community.”

Former zoo CEO Corey Leet announced in May that he would resign for family reasons.