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New President The dedication our veterinary and animal care staff have for
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the animals in their care is simply amazing. There is a part of
me that will miss the daily interactions that occurred when
Dr. Paul Calle, the chief veterinarian and vice president of I was a clinical veterinarian.
Health Programs for the Wildlife Conservation Society based at However, I am thrilled to be taking on this new role as
the Bronx Zoo, also has praise for Adkesson. “I have always been president and CEO and guiding the future of this great organiza-
impressed by the creativity, initiative, and problem solving that tion. CZS and Brookfield Zoo touch the lives of millions of people
Mike has applied to veterinary and conservation activities and every year and inspire them to care about animals and nature.
challenges, and the way he translated these into programmatic In my new role, I aim to ensure that the zoo’s impact continues
developments to achieve his vision. I look forward to seeing the to grow. I look forward to working across all departments of the
advances he will bring to both the Brookfield Zoo and the zoo zoo to create a bright future for conservation, animal care, educa-
and conservation communities.” tion, and fun!
No doubt, Brookfield Zoo’s members and friends are
curious about our new leader and his vision for the organization.
On the following pages, Dr. Adkesson addresses a few of the
questions we thought you might want to ask.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you
were first introduced to zoos and conservation.

I got my start in zoos when I was about 8 years old in a youth
volunteer program at Scovill Zoo in my hometown of Decatur,
Illinois. As I became older, I got my first job at the zoo, where
I learned to do everything from taking care of the animals to
making cotton candy. I loved every minute of it and have been
steadfast on a career in zoos ever since.
I graduated from the University of Illinois three times
(B.S., DVM, and MBA)—Go Orange and Blue! I completed
a three-year residency program in zoological medicine at the
University of Missouri and Saint Louis Zoo before joining
the team at CZS in 2008.
I have two young children who, along with my wife, are
the center of my universe. They have grown up with their parents
taking care of all kinds of animals. When my kids were in
preschool, their teachers often weren’t sure if they were talking
about a “sick” stuffed animal or a patient we had at home.
We share our home with two dogs, two tortoises, and some fish.

Q: Like you, Dr. Bertelsen, zoological director
of Copenhagen Zoo, began his career in vet-
erinary medicine. “It’s like going from a small
boat to a tanker,” he said. “In the zoo world,
Brookfield Zoo is more like an aircraft carrier.
But I’m confident Dr. Adkesson will make
a great captain.” Why did you pursue this
career change?
Leading the veterinary team at CZS has been an incredible
experience and richly fulfilling. Being a zoo veterinarian was Above: Dr. Adkesson guided University of Wisconsin veterinary student Rashea Minor
as she examined a Humboldt penguin at Brookfield Zoo's Animal Hospital.
my dream since high school and I’ve been extremely fortunate
to work with some remarkable people and animals here at CZS.

18 GATEWAYS | NEW PRESIDENT & CEO