Facility Manager:

Jeremy Maneyapanda

B.S. Degree, Cornell University

Jeremy learned 8 years ago that he loves working with kangaroos! He excels at keeping the Center functioning well and overseeing the daily animal husbandry. He may be writing up keeper protocols, organizing the "endless paperwork," ordering supplies or catching up kangaroos - just a few of the requirements in a day's work. Jeremy is always there when you need him!

(Photo: Jeremy and Derek, a Western Grey Kangaroo)

Senior Animal Keeper:

Tirzah Nichols

B. S. Degree, Unity College
Tirzah has always known she wanted to work with animals. During her college breaks, she worked for small pay or no pay to assist at animal rescue sanctuaries and animal hospitals. While she worked with a variety of exotic species, she never knew how fun it is work with kangaroos until now!

(Photo: Tirzah with Derek, Western Grey Kangaroo)

Advanced Animal Keeper:
Lori Varchmin
A.S. Degree, Columbus Technical Institute
Lori's degree is in Animal Health Technology. She has a special interest in marsupials and has accumulated 21 years of animal keeper experience! Coming from the Mid-West, she enjoys  working with kangaroos in our Southern climate and truly understands the unique qualities of kangaroos!

(Photo: Lori posing with a "kangaroo friend.")

Giftshop Assistant,

Animal Keeper Assistant:

Paula Glock
B. S. Degree Zoo Science,

Friends University, Wichita, Ks.

Paula enjoys working in several areas of KCC. She assists visitors with admissions and merchandise sales, and helps the animal staff with animal husbandry duties, as she loves  all animals. In college she did special internships in Australian mammals, South American mammals and in horticulture. We also salute Paula for her service in the National Guard, stationed  in Iraq in 2004.

(Photo: Paula shows  our custom T-shirt designs.)

Facility/Grounds/Maintenance:

Paul Martin

B.S. Degree, Western Kentucky University

Paul joined our staff in 2004 after gaining many years

of animal keeper experience at the Fort Worth Zoo. His strength is, without doubt, his willingness to work long and hard, at any task assigned to him. Paul's position at the Center enables him to be very versatile, from educating guests during tours to performing

maintenance on the grounds and buildings!

(Photo: Paul ready to talk on a tour!)

Horticulturist/Grounds:
David DiVita
B. S. A. Degree, University of Georgia
B. A. Degree, Mercer University
With a background and degree in horticulture, David keeps the native and exotic flora at KCC healthy and green. Caring for and growing  plants around animals can be a delicate situation for both and requires attention to detail and concern for both flora and fauna. Visit the Center and appreciate the results of David's green thumb! 

(Photo: David trimming a Eucalyptus tree.)

Volunteer:

Suzanne Boeren

B.S. Degree, University of Central Florida
Suzanne is our most loyal volunteer! She comes from a family of animal lovers who have devoted themselves to animal rehabilitation of native animals. Suzanne is always willing to go the extra mile to perform jobs that are needed at the Center. She is often here on tour days and helps to educate visitors.

(Photo: Suzanne holding a colorful Bearded Dragon.)

Volunteer:
Dianne Hardwick
ABJ, Henry W. Grady School of Journalism, University of Georgia
Diane is one of our dedicated volunteers who we depend on to help us run our Center and assist our visitors. Though her education and work experience is in Marketing, Advertising and PR, she loves animals, the outdoors and is always up to any job that we ask of her!

(Photo: Diane showing off a colorful Spiny-Tailed Monitor.)