About Us | Georgia Safari

Our Mission And Vision

Our Mission is to develop in people a greater understanding, appreciation, and connection to the natural world inspiring lifelong stewards for the conservation of animals and their habitats.

Our vision is to create a world where animals thrive, and their natural habitats are valued ad protected by the stewardship of humankind.

We will accomplish this by:

Remaining committed to the highest standards of animal care and well-being
Connecting people with animals through fun and engaging encounters
Supporting local, regional, and global conservation efforts in the wild
Supporting conservation education programs aimed at changing behaviors
Being the sustaining partner for The Georgia Zoological Society, Inc. and collaborating with other like-minded organizations

Our Team

Michael C. Conrads

President

Mike Conrads received a B.S. in business from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. Prior to leading Lane Conrads Corporation, he had a successful eighteen-year career with The Coca-Cola Company in sales, marketing, and operations. He has an extensive background and passion for strategic planning, plan execution, project management, problem-solving, and team leadership gained from experience running Coca-Cola USA’s Southwest Area Operations Team, which handled product distribution and technical services for customers in a thirteen-state territory. Currently, Mike manages the family office of the Lane Conrads Corporation and oversees the company’s real estate, business, and investment assets.

Bill Killmer

Chief Development Officer

Bill Killmer has a lifetime of experience as a highly successful landscape architect. As co-founder of Lifescapes, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, he helped build one of the largest, most respected design-build companies in the southeastern United States, employing more than 200 people. The firm won numerous state and national awards, consistently winning the Grand Environmental Improvement Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the country. Killmer also developed adventure travel destinations in Africa and South America where he hosted clients each year. He is a lifelong outdoorsman and environmental conservationist who shares a passion for creating special places for people to enjoy.

Andrew O’Connell, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Since 2009, Andrew O’Connell has been President of ALO Consulting, LLC, a financial/advisory firm that provides CFO services on a contract basis to commercial and residential developers, restaurant franchisors, private equity fund managers, hotel, and hospitality companies. Most recently, was the CFO for a Missouri-based Private Equity investment firm focused on the Acquisition, Development, and Rehabilitation of Multi-family properties in Missouri and Texas. Prior to that, he was the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer for Alys Beach, a developer of high-end residential and commercial real estate. With annual sales of $425 million, Alys Beach was named the 3rd Most Beautiful Small Town in America by Architectural Digest. For 8 years, he was the Senior VP and CFO of Reynolds Plantation, an 18,000-acre master-planned community in Greensboro, Georgia, and prior to that, he was the VP and Chief Accounting Officer for WCI Communities, the largest real estate developer in Florida with annual sales of $1 billion. Andrew has been a CPA for over 40 years and started his career working for what is now Price Waterhouse Coopers, one of the Big-4 international CPA firms.

Brandie Anderson

Director of Guest Engagement

Brandie is a Georgia native whose love and passion for animals and wildlife conservation began early. She brings over 25 years of experience to the Georgia Safari Conservation Park team.

Brandie worked in the corporate arena, where she gained extensive experience in operations, project management, sales, marketing, and business development. She is excited about having the opportunity to combine her passions for wildlife conservation, project management, and operations as part of the Safari Park’s development team.

John Beasley

Partner

John is an Atlanta native who graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Georgia Tech. He is the co-founder of Wakefield Beasley & Associates, recently ranked as Atlanta’s largest privately held and third largest overall architectural firm: a 185-person, nationally recognized, award-winning design firm with a strong emphasis on sustainable architecture. John has over a half-century of design and management experience on complex projects including mixed-use, recreational, master planning, hospitality, resort, and LEED-certified buildings.

Jessica Malloy

Director of Marketing

Jessica has many years of experience in the vibrant world of tourism and sales, having honed her skills in managing guest experiences in the theme park industry. From orchestrating events to fostering strong client relationships, she has thrived in ensuring seamless and memorable experiences, by understanding the importance of guest satisfaction through operational excellence. Prior to her tenure in tourism, she led successful sales teams and managed operations in the beauty industry, solidifying her knowledge and expertise in customer engagement and effective management strategies. With a results-driven approach, she continuously strives to drive growth and create lasting impacts in every project she undertakes. In addition, Jessica has an extensive background in graphic design, and marketing, including website development and social media management.

Andi Clason

Director of Animal Care

Andi graduated from Auburn University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences. Andi worked as a zookeeper at The Montgomery Zoo, caring for various species before specializing in African Hoofstock. In March 2020, Andi was promoted to Animal Care Manager, responsible for managing the entire zookeeper team and for coordinating the care for all of the Zoo’s scaly, feathered, and furry friends!

Tiffany Portillo

Animal Care Specialist

Tiffany Portillo is a native of Long Island who completed her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Vermont in 2014. She has worked at various zoological institutions throughout her career such as San Antionio Zoo, Zoo Miami, and most recently at the Montgomery Zoo before taking on her role as Animal Care Specialist with our park.

Katie Phillips

Animal Care Specialist

Katie is a Georgia native from Jefferson, she attended the University of West Georgia where she studied Biology with a minor in Geology while playing collegiate soccer.

Katie has been a zookeeper at Metro Richmond Zoo and with internships at White Oak. In her earlier years, Katie was raised on a farm and has experience in riding and groundwork with horses and she has saved many horses by hand-raising an orphaned nurse mare foals. She is a hoofstock lover by heart and she has experience with other species, especially primates and big cats.

Jerri O'Rourke

Associate Director of Clinical Medicine & Research

A local with deep roots, Jerri holds a PhD in Educational Psychology & Research, specializing in Adult Learning from the University of TN. As a Registered Veterinary Technician, she brings a wealth of experience from small and exotic animal clinics, coupled with over a decade of teaching veterinary technicians.

Jerri's commitment to education extends beyond traditional roles; she is a driving force in shaping the future of animal care professionals. Her recent foray into research medicine showcases her dedication to staying at the forefront of the field.

Passionate about reptiles, amphibians, avians, and animal behavior, Jerri's expertise goes beyond the clinic. At home, she shares her life with a diverse family of dogs, cats, exotics, and tortoises.

Ashley Webb

Ambassador Animal Program Lead

Born and raised in Atlanta, GA with 5 years of zoological facility experience and 2 years of Humane Society, Ashley brings a wealth of wildlife expertise. A proud UGA alumna with a degree in Wildlife Science, she forges unforgettable connections with animals. Beyond work, Ashley enjoys sports such as soccer, billiards, and pickleball and is an avid reader. She dedicated herself to creating impactful, up-close animal experiences that foster appreciation and empathy for all species.