Raymond B. King (born 1965) is an American executive. Since 2010, he has been the president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.[1]
Early life
editKing was born in Atlanta on November 16, 1965. He attended Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina, later transferring to the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was active in the Chi Phi fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in management in 1987.
Career
editKing began his professional career at SunTrust Bank in 1988. His leadership positions included senior vice president of community affairs and corporate secretary of SunTrust Atlanta.[2]
King was listed among Georgia Trend magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" in 2004[3] and was named on the Watch List of the Atlanta Business Chronicle's "25 Atlantans Making a Difference" in 2007. King was a recipient of the United Way Chairman's Award in 2009 and was named among the Atlanta Business Chronicle's "Most Influential Atlantans" in 2012.[4]
King joined Zoo Atlanta on June 1, 2010, as president and CEO.[5] His tenure has included a 50 percent increase in the zoo's annual attendance and capital campaigns to fund Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience and the Grand New View project which created a new African Savanna and 2 story special event venue overlooking it. King has led Zoo Atlanta in raising over $65 Million in philanthropic support and over $60 Million in Public support, each well more than was raised in the 25 previous years as a private institution.
Awards and recognitions
editThe Atlanta Business Chronicle named King “Most Admired Non-Profit CEO” 3 consecutive years (maximum allowed) in 2014-2016. Atlanta Magazine named him one of the “500 Most Powerful Leaders” in 2018 and 2019.
Civic activities
editKing has been chair of six non-profit boards of directors, namely the Fernbank Museum of Natural History (2010), Regional Business Coalition, Committee for a Better Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition, Theatre in the Square, and Research Atlanta.[6]
References
edit- ^ Zoo Atlanta official website
- ^ Chris Schroder, "Raymond King’s Moment in the doctor’s office led him to leave bank, lead Zoo Atlanta ", Saporta Report, March 4, 2013
- ^ Shannon Wilder, "The Best and Brightest Young Georgians", Georgia Trend, October 2004
- ^ "Zoo Atlanta CEO to give SPSU commencement address on August 3", Southern Polytechnic State University press release Archived 2014-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Maria Saporta, "Raymond King named Zoo Atlanta CEO", Atlanta Business Chronicle, May 13, 2010
- ^ Raymond B. King, Georgia State University Economic Forecasting Center: August 2010 Conference Program