Gary Priest

Gary Priest has extensive experience in animal behavior and management, currently serving as a Professional Member and Past-President of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance since 1999. Since 1990, Gary has held the position of Curator for Applied Animal Behavior at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, overseeing five divisions and nearly 70 animal training employees, as well as managing departmental budgets of approximately $2 million annually. A Professional Fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1990, Gary contributes to the Animal Welfare Committee. Gary's career also includes a significant role as Senior Animal Trainer with the Zoological Society of San Diego from 1984 to 2020, where involvement in the development of the San Diego Zoo Global Academy was notable. Additionally, Gary served as Associate Faculty in Business and Management at Ashford University from 2010 to 2013 and was a Senior Animal Trainer at SeaWorld from 1970 to 1975. Gary holds a Master of Arts in Management from National University and a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences from Western Illinois University.