Our Mission is to inspire in others a greater understanding, appreciation, and connection to the natural world.
Our vision is to create a conservation legacy that will have a positive impact on the lives of people and animals.
Our Mission is to inspire in others a greater understanding, appreciation, and connection to the natural world.
Our vision is to create a conservation legacy that will have a positive impact on the lives of people and animals.
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.
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.
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.
Director of Human Resources
Brandie is a Georgia native whose love and passion for animals and wildlife conservation began at an early age growing up near Zoo Atlanta. She brings over 25 years of experience to the Georgia Safari Conservation Park team.
Brandie worked within 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 passion for both wildlife conservation, project management, and operations as a part of the Safari Park’s development team.
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.
Director of Facility & Grounds Maintenance
Greg is a commercial plumber by trade with over 25 years of experience in the field. He is an expert problem solver and prides himself on being a team player who always goes the extra mile. Greg approaches every job with a can-do attitude, determination, and a desire to do the best work possible. Outside of work, Greg loves spending time outdoors, especially fishing. He is an animal lover at heart and believes animals bring so much joy and comfort to people's lives. Family is the most important thing to Greg, and he cherishes making memories with his loved ones.
Marketing Manager
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.