2025-10-16T13:06:11-05:00 2024-12-31 760269860 Blazek & Vetterling 2900 Weslayan Suite 200 Houston TX 77027 990 2024-01-01 741590271 Houston Zoo Inc HOUS 7135336501 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Jeri Nordbrock CFO 7135336501 2025-10-16 1 0 Barbara Murphy P01386215 7134395739 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Lisa Peterson 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 99652283 0 X www.houstonzoo.org X 1920 TX To connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. 33 33 605 747 1022 0 26684759 24795320 52272056 52221538 3748036 5932584 -182851 -260160 82522000 82689282 3130673 2790863 0 0 29996540 32584275 0 0 4382136 29696646 34938677 62823859 70313815 19698141 12375467 379916374 380810630 61831126 48429085 318085248 332381545 X Mission: Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Vision: Be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. (Continued on Schedule O) Houston Zoo, Inc. (HZI) strives to be a zoo that practices exemplary animal care, delivers an outstanding guest experience, creates a workplace that instills respect and teamwork, provides learning opportunities, promotes conservation awareness, and inspires community support. 0 0 54992357 51485469 Houston Zoo, Inc. (HZI), accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), upholds the gold standard in animal care, safety, conservation, and education, earning a rare 100% clean AZA evaluation in 2024, a distinction achieved by only eight institutions in AZA history. In 2024, HZI welcomed over 2,000,000 guests, reflecting its "Zoo for All" commitment to accessibility. Attendance was distributed as follows: - 32% Members - 30% General Admission - 29% Free or Discounted Admission (including Free Entry, Lone Star cardholders, Military families, and Seniors) - 9% Zoo Lights (Continued on Schedule O)This "Zoo for All" access ensures families from diverse economic backgrounds experience the Zoo's animals, gardens, amenities and wildlife saving programming. In 2024, HZI opened Birds of the World on August 30, a major Centennial Master Plan project. This immersive exhibit showcases avian biodiversity across African Savanna, North American Woodlands, and South American Wetlands aviaries, connecting visitors to global conservation efforts and modernizing infrastructure on the Zoo's 55-acre campus. Volunteer engagement was a highlight again in 2024, with 479 adult volunteers contributing 33,159 hours to support animal care and wellbeing, horticulture, conservation education, guest engagement, and administrative needs. 3822924 2790863 Wildlife conservation is a core HZI mission. In 2024, the Zoo supported 33 long-term partnerships across 17 countries, linking on-site animal care with global field conservation. Regional efforts focused on Texas species of concern, including: - Houston Toad Conservation: Release of 1,865,700 eggs, 4,300 tadpoles, and 430 toadlets in Bastrop County in partnership with USFWS and Texas State University. - Attwater's Prairie Chicken Conservation: Breeding and release of 58 birds into native grasslands. - Sea Turtle Conservation: Provided medical care for over 50 injured or stranded wild sea turtles along the Texas coast. (Continued on Schedule O)International wildlife conservation programs emphasized species in the Zoo's collection, exemplified by Birds of the World, which connects guests to partners protecting endangered avian species globally. Other efforts included protecting jaguars, giant anteaters, and tapirs in Brazil's Pantanal and reducing marine wildlife threats from plastic pollution in the Galapagos Islands and the Gulf Coast. Through these initiatives, HZI advances wildlife conservation locally and globally while engaging Houstonians in meaningful action. 1819376 736069 The Houston Zoo's Conservation Education Department engaged 725,235 participants in 2024 through camps, school partnerships, interpretive programs, and community outreach, fostering wildlife-saving actions. Key initiatives included: - Camp Zoofari: Immersive summer sessions for children ages 6-12, with 2,040 campers enrolled and scholarships provided to families with demonstrated financial need. - Zoo Crew Teen Program: Provided conservation skills training for 68 high school students, fostering leadership in wildlife conservation. (Continued on Schedule O) - School Partnerships and Free Field Trips: Supported 88,000 K-12 students through free field trips, with 80% from Title I schools, many in federally recognized Justice40 communities. Additionally, 17,359 college students from four local colleges visited for free, and 12,031 participants engaged in pre-scheduled programs, including Camp Zoofari, Zoo Crew, Overnights, Animal Encounters, and pro-bono Community Outreach. - On-Site Interpretation: Staff and volunteers facilitated 250,000 guest interactions, promoting conservation awareness through storytelling and demonstrations. These programs underscore HZI's commitment to accessible, impactful conservation education. 60634657 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 160 0 1 605 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 33 33 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X X Jeri Nordbrock 7135336750 1513 Cambridge Houston TX 77030 Joe Cleary Board Chair 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Stacy Methvin thru 624 Immediate Past Chair 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Joshua Davidson Vice Chair 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Sami Ahmad Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Saied Alavi Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Greg Armstrong as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 George Basu Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Carlos Bueno Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Bill Butzner as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Beto Cardenas Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Neil Chapman as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kris Chikelue Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Anne Clutterbuck Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Heather Crowder Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Michael Dishberger Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Charles Dresser as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kerry Galvin Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Eureka Gilkey thru 624 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Nicholas Hellyar as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Sanjay Kalavar Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Monica Karuturi as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Peggy Kostial Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jennifer Laporte Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Claire Liu Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kelley Lubanko Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kimberly McKay thru 624 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Stacy O'Malley Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Byron Pope Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Alie Pruner Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Nancy Pustka Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ron Rand thru 624 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Sadie Rucker as of 724 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Liz Schwarze Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jordan Seff Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Bas Solleveld Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Brian Thomas Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Walker thru 624 Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kelli Weinzierl Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Bill Barnett Member Emeritus 1.00 X 0 0 0 Anne Duncan Member Emeritus 1.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Graham Member Emeritus 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jim Postl Member Emeritus 1.00 X 0 0 0 Randa Duncan Williams Member Emeritus 1.00 X 0 0 0 Austin Young Member Emeritus 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 40.00 X 691246 0 19834 Sheryl Kolasinski COO 40.00 X 374936 0 17414 Jeri Nordbrock CFO 40.00 X 332237 0 18272 Roberto Espinosa Chief Advancement Officer 40.00 X 313227 0 21899 Lisa Marie Avendano Deputy Dir., Chief Mission Officer 40.00 X 222535 0 11438 Kristin Finney Chief Human Resources Officer 40.00 X 301730 0 19868 Kevin Hodge VP Animal Programs 40.00 X 241498 0 24284 Adrian Cavazos AVP, Business Operations 40.00 X 172867 0 21870 Mark Hoffman Sr. Dir. Plan, Design, Engineering 40.00 X 152464 0 16397 Trazanna Moreno Senior VP Marketing, Communications 40.00 X 282556 0 13925 Benjamin Jones VP Conservation and Education 40.00 X 216513 0 19538 James Hutchinson Sr. Dir. Finance & Accounting 40.00 X 194019 0 9151 Abraham George Director of Technology 40.00 X 174428 0 22251 Audra Jesudason AVP, Development 40.00 X 160789 0 14253 3831045 0 250394 34 0 1 0 Tellepsen Builders 777 Benmar 400 Houston TX 77060 Construction 12529229 O'Donnell Snider Construction LLC 1900 West Loop S 500 Houston TX 77027 Construction 5658404 SSA Group LLC 4624 Central Park Blvd Denver CO 80238 Food Services 5444720 Bright Lights of Houston 12407 Sowden Rd Houston TX 77080 Lighting 1658396 Strike Marketing 906 Rutland St Houston TX 77008 Advertising 1299275 42 9103087 2138574 335456 13218203 556217 24795320 Admission fees 900099 22654672 22654672 Educ. programs & events 611600 12120536 12120536 City management fee 561499 12020820 12020820 Concessions 722210 5425510 5425510 52221538 1853208 180 1853028 20356608 16126771 150461 4229837 -150461 4079376 842 4078534 425609 2138574 685769 -260160 -260160 82689282 52221538 1022 5671402 1083494 1083494 1707369 1707369 2023038 667602 667602 687834 24869759 21146093 1675058 2048608 830391 695248 56632 78511 2876011 2338298 283381 254332 1985076 1652150 147783 185143 50558 25922 15041 9595 42196 42196 183242 183242 6241428 5370085 582416 288927 1511697 1503266 360 8071 1220379 123856 1067868 28655 1255554 899747 148216 207591 2675856 2674240 778 838 453122 374163 36594 42365 664504 391829 19369 253306 1099532 966324 69991 63217 13970324 13819563 106233 44528 1238616 1092544 76750 69322 Supplies 2615697 2590324 13674 11699 Grounds/events 730986 730986 Equipment expense 568230 560686 3296 4248 Printing & publications 416756 220868 100542 95346 70313815 60634657 5297022 4382136 6981380 3331459 8726948 14135795 48463652 44297534 1200356 1651532 112234 110917 1989012 1681136 371838618 117460885 247121652 254377733 58886725 50329259 2176783 6460338 4257632 4434927 379916374 380810630 16011800 13170171 5605230 4813538 39543455 30000000 670641 445376 61831126 48429085 X 302252449 308396885 15832799 23984660 318085248 332381545 379916374 380810630 X 12375467 1392389 528441 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 27412831 37880468 23522192 26684759 24795320 140295570 27412831 37880468 23522192 26684759 24795320 140295570 2668408 137627162 425958 705259 879769 1704940 1853208 5569134 52558 52558 145917262 217528629 0.94320 0.94290 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X 0 22702474 1206871 3084826 400000 82512 26511659 20654823 207586 3578256 1653722 84469 22702474 21452286 3620483 -3783981 534458 99507 20654823 17433313 2329999 2233452 425469 119009 21452286 15227888 718500 1951269 368500 95844 17433313 0.59330 0.17600 0.23070 0 0 332115506 101331929 230783577 20485199 16128956 4356243 19237913 19237913 254377733 Lease payable 445376 445376 84033055 1392389 134626 1527015 82506040 183242 183242 82689282 70265199 134626 134626 70130573 183242 183242 70313815 Part III, Line 1a: In accordance with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not capitalize animal and horticultural collections; acquisitions are reported as expenditures in the period of acquisition. The Houston Zoo is responsible for the health and welfare of its animal and horticultural collections. The Houston Zoo maintains records of its collections and any exchanges with other organizations. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the President, and the curatorial staff, collections continue to be cared for, exhibited, and expanded. In 2024 and 2023, the Houston Zoo expended approximately $16,000 and $45,000, respectively, to expand its collections. In an ongoing commitment to enhance worldwide reproduction and conservation of animals, the Houston Zoo exchanges animals with zoos and aquariums accredited by the AZA. Consistent with industry practice, the Houston Zoo does not record any liability for such exchange arrangements as generally these arrangements are without monetary consideration. Part III, Line 4: The Houston Zoo is a leading conservation and education organization dedicated to providing the animals in its collection with the highest quality of care. Many are vulnerable, threatened or endangered in the wild. The Zoo's animals serve as "ambassadors," helping to inform guests and inspire action to save their wild counterparts. Part V, Line 4: The purpose of the endowment fund is to provide ongoing support for operating and capital needs and program services that are consistent with the Houston Zoo's mission and vision. 1 East Asia and the Pacific 0 0 Program/grantmaking Conservation 214880 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0 Program/grantmaking Conservation 390944 South America 0 0 Program/grantmaking Conservation 1101545 Central America and the Caribbean 0 0 Investments 1368629 0 0 0 0 0 0 3075998 0 3075998 South America Support for Armonia Bolivia 30000 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Conservation Heritage Turambe program 110000 Wire 0 South America Giant Tortoise Movement Ecology program 62080 Wire 0 South America ECOS conservation support 93864 Wire 0 South America Giant Otter Conservation Fund support 55000 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Group d'Etude et Recherche sur les Primates 2024 activities support 165000 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Hirola Conservation support 99200 Wire 0 South America Giant Armadillo conservation 80000 Wire 0 South America Support for Lowland Tapir conservation 30000 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa IRDNC Kunene Project, Rhino conservation 40000 Wire 0 East Asia and the Pacific Support for Sunda Pangolin conservation 11580 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Support for Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association 254000 ACH 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Support for SMACON 10000 ACH 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Niassa Carnivore project 75000 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Support for Niassa Carnivore project 68974 ACH 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Support for Okapi Conservation project 40000 ACH 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Support for Ewaso Lions 130000 ACH 0 East Asia and the Pacific Hutan Conservation programs 50700 ACH 0 East Asia and the Pacific Funding suppoort for Seratu Aatai 46000 ACH 0 South America Funding for Proyecto Titi conservation efforts 40000 ACH 0 East Asia and the Pacific Yayasan SatuCita Lestari Indonesia (The Satucita Foundation) support 30000 Wire 0 Sub-Saharan Africa Funding support for RWCA 100000 ACH 0 16 0 Conservation support East Asia and the Pacific 1 76600 Wire transfer 1 0 1 1 0 0 Part I, Line 2: The Houston Zoo's selection standards for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long-term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals, nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead, we actively seek out projects that fit the guidelines of the Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Program (see Part III, Line 4b). We then meet with researchers and potential partners to determine how well their aspirations fit with Zoo guidelines. We make only minimal investments with new partners until we are satisfied that the researchers will communicate and interact with the Zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.), that their research program is sustainable over time, and holds promise for desired results. We monitor progress and outcomes through periodic site visits where practicable and receipt of regular reports on activities and results. Part I, line 3: The expenses reflected on Schedule F are reported using the accrual method of accounting. Zoo Ball 2564183 2138574 425609 183122 52854 449793 2564183 2138574 425609 183122 52854 449793 685769 -260160 1 American Bird Conservancy PO Box 249 The Plains VA 20198 521501259 501(c)(3) 20000 0 SPLASH environmental conservation support Baylor College of Medicine PO Box 301207 Dallas TX 75303 741613878 501(c)(3) 341112 0 EEHV research project Capitol Area Council - Boy Scouts of America 12500 N IH-35 Austin TX 78753 741143057 501(c)(3) 68438 0 Houston Toad conservation support Global Conservation Network 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd Apple Valley MN 55124 411719362 501(c)(3) 12000 0 Planning Specialist Group operating support Dallas Zoological Society 650 S RL Thornton Fwy Dallas TX 75203 750964982 501(c)(3) 17387 0 Houston Toad conservation support Fossil Rim Wildlife Center 2155 County Rd 2008 Glen Rose TX 76403 752327438 501(c)(3) 23257 0 Attwater Prairie Chicken conservation support International Crane Foundation E 11376 Shady Lane Rd Baraboo WI 53913 391187711 501(c)(3) 40000 0 Operating support Rewild PO Box 129 Austin TX 78767 262887967 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Species recovery conservation Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE) 23564 Calabasas Rd Ste 201 Calabasas CA 91302 954116679 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Texas native cat conservation Texas A&M AgriLife Research 400 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S 300 College Station TX 77845 746000541 Govt. 76601 0 Houston Toad conservation support Texas Conservation Alliance PO Box 822554 Dallas TX 75382 237112618 501(c)(3) 25000 0 Operating support Texas State University 601 University Dr San Marcos TX 78666 746002248 Govt. 10120 0 Houston Toad conservation support Wildlife Conservation Network 209 Mississippi St San Francisco CA 94107 300108469 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating support Zoo Knoxville 3500 Knoxville Zoo Dr Knoxville TN 37914 621034633 501(c)(3) 20000 0 SAFE Tortoise Program International Elephant Foundation PO Box 366 Azle TX 76098 752815706 501(c)(3) 20000 0 Operating support Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International 800 Cherokee Ave SE Atlanta GA 30315 521118866 501(c)(3) 100000 0 Gorilla conservation, support for Rwandan women Gorilla Rehabilitation & Conservation Education Ctr PO Box 504 Niwot CO 80544 462308758 501(c)(3) 10000 0 Gorilla conservation International Rhino Foundation 201 Main St Ste 2300 Fort Worth TX 76102 752395006 501(c)(3) 40000 0 Operating support Columbus Zoo and Aquarium PO Box 400 Powell OH 43065 314390844 501(c)(3) 7000 0 Mission Conservation workshop Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project PO Box 356 Davis CA 95617 061752363 501(c)(3) 100000 0 Support for Gorilla doctors Save Giraffes Now 8333 Douglas Ave 300 Dallas TX 75225 834423842 501(c)(3) 32300 0 Operating support UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr VM3B Davis CA 95616 946036494 501(c)(3) 25000 0 Dr. Marcy with Patagonia Marine Wildlife North Carolina Zoological Society 4401 Zoo Pkwy Asheboro NC 27205 560990900 501(c)(3) 20000 0 African Vulture conservation support 23 0 Part I, Line 2: The Houston Zoo's selection criteria for awarding grants are based on our mission statement goals and long-term development of regional programs. We do not solicit proposals, nor do we have a formal process for receiving and evaluating grant requests. Instead, we actively seek out projects that fit the guidelines of the Zoo's wildlife conservation goals and objectives. We then meet with potential conservation partners to see how well they fit with those guidelines. We make only minimal investments with new partners until we are satisfied that they will communicate and interact with the Zoo (web, media, reports, speaker requests, articles, etc.). We also closely monitor each partner's research program to ensure its long-term sustainability. We monitor progress and outcomes through periodic site visits where practicable and regular written reports on activities and results. 1 X X X X 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Lee Ehmke President & CEO 535672 0 153860 0 1714 0 13609 0 6225 0 711080 0 0 0 Sheryl Kolasinski COO 306866 0 66356 0 1714 0 11189 0 6225 0 392350 0 0 0 Jeri Nordbrock CFO 272920 0 57603 0 1714 0 12067 0 6205 0 350509 0 0 0 Roberto Espinosa Chief Advancement Officer 258341 0 54526 0 360 0 11494 0 10405 0 335126 0 0 0 Kristin Finney Chief Human Resources Officer 251762 0 49416 0 552 0 9847 0 10021 0 321598 0 0 0 Trazanna Moreno Senior VP Marketing, Communications 233146 0 48858 0 552 0 3637 0 10288 0 296481 0 0 0 Kevin Hodge VP Animal Programs 194948 0 46190 0 360 0 10183 0 14101 0 265782 0 0 0 Benjamin Jones VP Conservation and Education 178933 0 37028 0 552 0 8709 0 10829 0 236051 0 0 0 Lisa Marie Avendano Deputy Dir., Chief Mission Officer 221647 0 200 0 688 0 7200 0 4238 0 233973 0 0 0 James Hutchinson Sr. Dir. Finance & Accounting 190579 0 3200 0 240 0 7751 0 1400 0 203170 0 0 0 Abraham George Director of Technology 170676 0 3200 0 552 0 7344 0 14907 0 196679 0 0 0 Adrian Cavazos AVP, Business Operations 166427 0 6200 0 240 0 7263 0 14607 0 194737 0 0 0 Audra Jesudason AVP, Development 154349 0 6200 0 240 0 6471 0 7782 0 175042 0 0 0 Mark Hoffman Sr. Dir. Plan, Design, Engineering 147048 0 5200 0 216 0 6380 0 10017 0 168861 0 0 0 Part I, Line 4b Lee Ehmke participates in a 457(b) Top Hat plan. The contribution for 2024 was $20,348. Part I, Line 7 The Houston Zoo has an Incentive Plan for eligible individuals based on their achievement of organizational goals and individual/department goals aligned with the Zoo's Strategic Plan. The Human Resources Committee of the Board reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Leadership Incentive Plan, in whole or in part, at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. The CEO retains the discretion to withhold any or all portions of the Plan payout to an eligible employee or employees for performance, disciplinary or other reasons. X 10 160204 FMV X Auction items 79 250946 Sales proceeds X Food/beverages 1 141567 FMV X Tree seedlings 1 3500 FMV 0 0 1 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 7a Per the corporate documents, the Mayor of the City of Houston has the power to appoint 20% of the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b Form 990 is reviewed by the CEO and the CFO. Once reviewed internally, the Form is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. A copy of the Form is provided to each Board member prior to filing with the IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c The Zoo's Board of Directors has a conflict of interest policy to ensure that both the Zoo and its directors and officers are protected from concerns of conflict of interest. The policy asks the directors and officers to disclose their relationship with other organizations or people that might give rise to a situation in which the officer or director would be subject to criticism for a conflict. Each year the Zoo asks its directors and officers to complete and file a form with the Zoo to meet this requirement. The Audit Committee Chair is responsible for the oversight process and the Board Chair is responsible for addressing any conflicts that may be disclosed in the process. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The compensation of the President/CEO is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews both comparable salaries for similar positions listed on other organizations' Form 990s as well as comparable position salaries in the American Zoological Association Salary Survey. This process is followed for other officers and key employees as well. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 These documents are provided upon request. Form 990, Part XI, line 9: Change in value of derivative agreement 528,441.