Michael has over 40 years of staff development, project planning, human resources and recreation management experience. Michael founded “It’s Okay to Play!” – An innovative training technique grounded in guided self-discovery and collaborative generation of definitive accountability structures.

Michael served as a faculty member at California State University Long Beach, led State of California workforce initiatives, and contributed time and talents to nonprofit organizations advancing conservation, education and human rights.

Michael served as Director of Human Resources for the San Francisco Zoo. During his tenure he developed strong labor relations, implemented timely and high-profile crisis management protocols, and contributed to strategic enhancements in morale and staff development.

As a self-defined proud Grandpa, he is passionate about preservation, recreation and education for future generations.

Barbara Moore has been a member of the board since 2014, and currently serves as treasurer. She has 31 years of experience as a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial, LLC having held all federal and state licenses for that position since 1992. Originally from the Bay Area, she is a University of the Pacific graduate. She was introduced as a youth to Micke Grove Zoo by an aunt who lived in a neighboring county, and yes, she remembers the polar bear! In addition to fond memories of Micke Grove Zoo from her youth, her husband David, a Stockton native, and two children grew up with many visits to the zoo, attending educational camps and special events. Through her efforts, she has brought many volunteers to the organization.

Nicholas has lived in, and around, the Stockton area for more than 30 years. Like most visitors to the Micke Grove Zoo, a trip to the zoo once offered an opportunity to build his imagination and develop emotional connections with the animals on exhibit. Several years later, with those memories in mind, Nicholas supports restoring Micke Grove Zoo so that it can once again capture the imagination. As a Realtor, working with City and County agencies to obtain permits and plans for construction projects, he understands the importance of collaboration. Nicholas uses that experience to organize special events for the community as well as the Real Estate industry. As a SJZS Board member for the past four years, Nicholas shares his organizational experience, as well as intellectual curiosity, to provide support aligned with conservation and preservation best practices

Lizette is a Stocktonian by way of Montana. She has lived in Stockton for 23 years as an educator. During that time, she raised her 3 boys whos ages are 20, 15, and 9. She has worked in several school districts in the San Joaquin Valley as a classroom teacher, an instructional coach, a school secretary, a vice principal, and a principal. She loves teaching and is back in the classroom currently teaching 3rd grade. Lizette has taught every grade from Kindergarten to 8th Grade and adults. Education is her passion. She strongly believes that if a person is not learning, they are not existing. With that being said, she joined the board of the zoological society so that she may learn more about the zoo. She wants to know about the animals, the structures, the employees, and everything. The more she knows about the resources in our community, the more she can teach others. This is what she was born to do. Lizette looks forward to the future of the society and all that we will do to help our community.

Dr. Garcia-Sheets is a Stockton native. She completed her B.A. in Rhetoric and Communication at UC Davis, received her M.A. in Communication and Public Address at UOP, and earned her Doctorate in Education Administration and Leadership from UOP.

Full bio on Linkedin.

Mr. Aleman is known for building organizational capacity for small, medium, and large governmental organizations as well as working with private and nonprofit corporations.  He is the co-founder of several nonprofit organizations in the Native American and Latino communities.

He is an entrepreneur and sole proprietor of a boutique consulting firm and a technology company. He is a community activist involved in civic and economic engagement.  He has worked at the local and state level of government in many capacities, including serving as an appointee of California Governors most recently at the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

His work has led him to work as an executive at the San Francisco Zoological Society to implement the results of his findings as an organizational consultant.

Among his current clients in Mexico are included several recycling companies and Nopalimex.  An expert in Equal Employment Opportunity, Mr. Aleman has conducted more than 100 complaint investigations on the basis of protections under federal, state, and local statutes, including health and safety employees and organizations.  His policy development in this area is substantial.

Mr. Aleman has conducted diversity studies for energy organizations and has been involved in organizing many conferences and symposiums on issues such as Recreation, STEM, Environmental Justice issues, EEO, Human Resources, and education.

Manuel Mollinedo is the former director of the Los Angeles Zoo, San Francisco Zoo, and Honolulu Zoo. Prior to his zoological career, he worked in public administration as director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Los Angeles, Austin, Texas, and Fresno, California.

Manuel earned a bachelor of science in physical anthropology from California State University at Los Angeles and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

He served as a member on the Board of Trustees of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, was on the AZA accreditation commission, and is considered to be very knowledgeable of city and foundation-operated zoos. He was elected and served on the Board of Directors of the International Species Information System [ISIS], and was a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

He has traveled extensively in Africa, South America, Central America, Australia, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Accomplishments he is most proud of are his two terms as a governor’s appointee to the California State Parks and Recreation Commission and receiving the distinguished alumnus award from California State University, Los Angeles in 1998.

His two major personal achievements were climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2000 and trekking in the Himalaya Annapurna region, culminating in going over the Thorung Pass in 2018.

His hobbies are snow skiing, hiking, and wildlife photography. Currently retired, Manuel and his wife Marilyn enjoy living in rural Sonoma County outside of Cloverdale, California.

Ken retired in 2012 after 33 years with San Joaquin County as the Micke Grove Zoo Manager. Beginning his zoo career in Sacramento in 1972, he moved to Micke Grove Zoo in 1979 to take on the challenge of revitalizing the neglected and understaffed 22-year-old county facility.

At Micke Grove Ken worked with a small staff to establish collection management policies, animal care protocols and zoo education programs. With County staff and dedicated MGZS volunteers he worked to develop new revenue streams and expand volunteer participation. The increased support funded needed staff, allowed for improvements to exhibits and grounds, enabled establishment of visitor services and assisted in providing a marketing and promotions program.

These collaborative efforts were rewarded with steady attendance growth and community support. From 1990 to 2006, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recognized Micke Grove Zoo as an AZA-accredited facility.

Big Cat Rescue – Two Tigers Find New Home at Oakland Zoo. Recently, we learned of four big cats living in squalor and suffering in an abandoned roadside zoo in Northeastern Oklahoma. Their business license was revoked in 2008 by the USDA, it’s not illegal in Oklahoma to privately own and breed exotic animals, so they were left there. Out of the 100 animals that had once lived there, only these four big cats survived.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit https://www.aza.org.

Over the years, many species that need our help such as gorillas, bears, hippos, and tigers have had to leave the Sacramento Zoo due to lack of space. With more room, the Sacramento Zoo could be the zoo the region and the animals deserve.

he Charles Paddock Zoo is located on 5 wooded acres. Depending on your pace, guests may walk through the zoo in an hour, or spend the entire day. Although the animal collections are always changing, our zoo features several unique species not often seen in facilities of our size, including fossa, red pandas, Malayan tiger, lemurs and meerkats, as well as many other exciting and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The Zoo is family friendly with the opportunity for children and adults to experience animals up close. Unique gifts, as well as refreshments and strollers are available at the newly opened zoo gift shop. Adjacent to the Atascadero Lake park, the zoo is the perfect destination for a day of fun, education and relaxation. There is something for everyone at the Charles Paddock Zoo.