Zoo Atlanta’s Search Committee Names New CEO
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Business and Civic Leader Raymond B. King named President & CEO
ATLANTA - May 13, 2010 - After a national search the Executive Search Committee of Zoo Atlanta’s Board of Directors has selected SunTrust executive, Raymond B. King, as the new President and CEO, effective June 1, 2010. A lifelong Atlantan, Raymond will leave SunTrust where he has been for 22 years, currently serving as Senior Vice President for Community Affairs.
“The Board of Directors of Zoo Atlanta is thrilled that a community-focused professional of the skill and dedication of Raymond King will be our new President and CEO,” said Brad Benton, Chairman of Zoo Atlanta’s Board of Directors. “As we expected, the group of candidates for this critical position was terrific, and the interest in assuming the role and responsibility as the Zoo’s CEO was high. As a deeply-invested member of our Atlanta community, Raymond’s business and leadership acumen moved him to the top of our list, and we are excited about him joining the Zoo Atlanta team.”
As Senior Vice President for Community Affairs, Raymond King was responsible for civic and philanthropic activities in the Atlanta metropolitan area since 2001. From 1998-2001, he was Senior Lending Officer of the Receivables Capital Management Division. From 1995-1998, he led the creation and growth of the Textiles and Apparel Group of the Corporate Investment Bank, its first industry specialty group which proved to be a model for future growth. From 1990-1995, he was corporate relationship manager in both the Atlanta and Southeastern divisions of the bank. He began his career in 1988 in the Commercial Banking Management Training Program.
"I am honored to be chosen to lead an organization as significant to the community as Zoo Atlanta,” said Raymond King. “I'm delighted to be joining such an impressive group of professionals and volunteers dedicated to conservation, education, and quality family experiences. I look forward to helping build on a strong foundation.”
In addition to bringing significant business acumen to the Zoo leadership role, Raymond also brings extensive non-profit leadership experience. Amongst other board service, he has chaired 6 non-profit boards in recent years: Research Atlanta, Theatre in the Square, Committee for a Better Atlanta, Regional Business Coalition, Metropolitan Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition, and Fernbank Museum of Natural History. In addition, he has participated in numerous fundraising campaigns. Most recently, he led a successful $8 million fundraising effort to rebuild the children's spaces at Fernbank Museum of Natural History.
“I would like to personally thank Rodes Cole and Parker Executive Search for their investment in this process and for bringing us a group of world-class candidates for consideration,” said Benton. “We would not have ultimately been able to select an exceptional talent like Raymond without Rodes’ assistance, and Parker Executive Search’s commitment to assisting Zoo Atlanta in this critical endeavor was both notable and appreciated.” Parker Executive Search, an Atlanta based firm specializing in global searches for corporations, academia and athletics led this effort by providing their services pro-bono.
In recognition of his community leadership, Raymond was given the 2009 Chairman's Award by United Way; was placed on the "Watch List" of "25 Atlantans Making a Difference" by Atlanta Business magazine (June 2007); was recognized as: a "Notable Georgian" in the 2006 Georgia Trend listing of Most Influential Georgians; the February, 2005 "Lexus Leader of the Arts"; a member of the 2004 Georgia Trend "Top 40 Under 40"; a member of the 2004 Atlanta Business Chronicle "Top 50 Under 40"; a 2003 recipient of the Charles R. Yates Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service at the Woodruff Arts Center; a 2002 honoree of Outstanding Atlanta; and a member of the 2000 Leadership Atlanta class.
“We are confident and excited about our selection of Raymond King as new President and CEO. We know Raymond will be a leader who will continue to build on Zoo Atlanta’s success,” said Board of Directors member and Co-Chair of the Search Committee Nancy Rafuse, Managing Partner, Ashe Rafuse and Hill, LLP.
Raymond King attended his first year of college at Erskine College in Due West,South Carolina. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Management (with Honors) and was active in The Chi Phi Fraternity. A native of Atlanta, he is married to Robin Lord King and they have an 8 year old daughter, Courtney King. They are members of Cherokee Town & Country Club and Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.
