TITLE: In memory of Gregg Hudson, president and CEO of the Dallas Zoo.

SUMMARY: In memory of Gregg Hudson, president and CEO of the Dallas Zoo.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, North Texas residents are mourning the loss of Gregg Hudson, president and CEO of the Dallas Zoo, who died in April 2023, at the age of 64; and WHEREAS, Hired to lead the zoo in 2006, Mr. Hudson oversaw its transition from city ownership to a public/private partnership in 2009; he worked tirelessly to ensure funding for a major development, the 11-acre Giants of the Savanna habitat, which opened in 2010, allowing visitors to watch the interactions of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and ostriches; zoo attendance surged and the annual revenue stream doubled to more than $40 million; since 2015, the zoo has averaged over 1 million visitors a year; and WHEREAS, Although the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted attendance growth, Mr. Hudson skillfully navigated through that crisis; he provided steady guidance in early 2023 when the zoo was beset by a series of bizarre incidents involving vandalism and the theft of animals; throughout his tenure, he emphasized increasing conservation resources and education programming; and WHEREAS, Mr. Hudson was an inspiring mentor to many in his industry, and for over three decades, he was a trailblazer in wildlife conservation; he served on the board of the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and WHEREAS, Before taking the helm of the Dallas Zoo, Mr. Hudson served for over 5 years as president and CEO of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, and during his 10 years as executive director and CEO of the Fort Worth Zoo, he led its privatization in the early 1990s; he brought to the industry experience gained in the hospitality sector, through employment by hotels and the Six Flags theme parks; and WHEREAS, Gregg Hudson was admired not only for his visionary leadership, but also for his tremendous warmth and kindness, and although he will be deeply missed, his contributions will continue to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Gregg Hudson and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gregg Hudson. Jones of Dallas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1086 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 20, 2023. Chief Clerk of the House