Meet Zoo Staff

Meet the Staff of the Alaska Zoo

PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!  Additional staff profiles will be added soon!

PATRICK LAMPI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: I am from Silverdale, Washington and moved to Alaska in 1973. I worked for local airlines until I began at the zoo in 1986. I was a zookeeper until I became Curator in 1993. I was promoted to Executive Director in 2005. Some of my favorite experiences have been raising bear cubs, training raptors, and doing programs for children. My interests include fishing, skiing, hiking, camping, snow sculpting, and hunting.

SHANNON JENSEN, CURATOR: I am originally from Washington and graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor of science degree in Wildlife Biology (GO COUGS!!). I was hired as a zookeeper in 1995. I have worked with birds, black bears, camels, moose, seal, and otters. My interests within the animal field include wildlife nutrition, behavioral enrichment, training with positive reinforcement, and animal behavior. I was promoted to Curator in September 2005. My interests include rowing, being a mom, and hiking.

THOMAS "SMITTY" SMITH, HEAD ZOOKEEPER: I was a zookeeper at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs for 8 1/2 years taking care of hoofstock, felines, primates, and birds of prey. I moved to Alaska in spring 1994 to work at The Alaska Zoo. I became Head Zookeeper in 1995, when our Amur Tigers arrived. I care for the tigers, snow leopards, Dall sheep, reindeer, porcupines, and yaks. I have also added the care of our reptile collection to my list of animals at the zoo. My interests include spending time with my dog, Sasami, and cat (named "Kat").

JIM RUTKOWSKI, ZOOKEEPER: I am from the New England area and moved to Alaska in the fall of 1989. I began work as a zookeeper in 1998. I provide care for most of the animals at the zoo throughout a normal work week. Some of the animals I care for include the tigers, snow leopards, porcupines, reptiles, and reindeer. Over my years here, my favorite experiences have been helping to hand-raise a baby musk ox (in 2000) and a river otter (in 2002). I was involved in their training and also helped to present education programs about them. My interests outside of work include hiking, fishing, and walking my two best canine friends.

BETH FOGLESONG, ZOOKEEPER: My husband and I moved to Alaska in 1998. Prior to the zoo, I spent 6 years in Maryland working for an equine Veterinarian/Quarter Horse breeder. I have been around animals all my life, with jobs from pet-sitter to riding instructor. One of my favorite zoo moments was the introduction of our resident coyotes, Archie and Wiley. We released them together into a larger exhibit. Watching them interact always puts a smile on my face!

KENNETH TATE, ZOOKEEPER: I come to the Alaska Zoo from Thomasville, North Carolina. My path to a career as a Zookeeper took many turns including 12 years in Retail Management, 6 years teaching, and several jobs in customer service. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, and an Associate’s Degree in Zoo and Aquarium Science at Davidson County Community College. I currently take care of the birds of prey, red fox, deer, turkey, and corvids. Back in North Carolina my kids include 16 dogs, 9 cats, and 2 pigs. My favorite hobbies include studying history and working puzzles.

STEPHANIE HARTMAN, EDUCATION DIRECTOR: My husband and I moved to Anchorage after graduating from Washington State University in 2006. I began at the Alaska Zoo as a keeper and trainer working with the birds, otters, black bears, moose, wolves and polar bears. After working as a keeper for over four years, I joined the Education Department as the Camp Coordinator, and then after about year was given the amazing job as Education Director.  The Alaska Zoo has given me many phenomenal oportunities, and by far the best is my relationship with the zoo's wolf pack that I have been priviledged enough to have raised and continue to interact with since their arrival in 2006.

KATIE LARSON, EDUCATION: I grew up in Kansas and moved to Alaska in 1998. I have a B.S. in Biology from Kansas State University and attended Eastern Kentucky University for post-graduate work. My work experience includes designing interpretive programs for State Parks in Kansas (summer intern), working as a technician at Konza Tallgrass Prairie reserve in Kansas, and being a wildlife technician for biological surveys in Kentucky. I was hired as Education Director in 1998, and left that position in October 2011 to focus on updating zoo interpretive signs for visitors. I relocated to Fairbanks, where I spend my free time with my family and sled dog team.

MARLA WALES, OUTREACH COORDINATOR: I was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada and moved to Alaska in 2010. I graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology and Niagara College with a graduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration. My work experience includes nature interpretation with Ontario Parks, work as a conservation intern with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and as a marine mammal trainer, specifically working with dolphins, sea lions, seals and walruses. Aside from my love of animals, I also enjoy playing sports and being outdoors, including hiking, fishing and scuba diving.

ELLEN GROVER, CAMP COORDINATOR: I am originally from Greenville, Pennsylvania, and moved to Alaska to attend school at Alaska Pacific University.     I graduated in 2010 with my B.A. in Outdoor Studies. My interests lie in environmental education which has led me to jobs as a camp counselor and most recently as a park ranger with Denali National Park. I started with the Zoo in October of 2011, and am excited to be the Camp Coordinator in charge of camp and scout programs. When I am not hanging around the Zoo I like playing guitar, drinking coffee, writing and sea kayaking!

HEATHER DONCASTER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: I am from Quincy, Washington and moved to Alaska in August 2004. I have an A. A. degree from Wenatchee Valley College, and a B.S. in Biology Education and Art Education from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID. I am a science/art teacher at Clark Middle school and was hired as Volunteer Coordinator in September 2005. I enjoy giving Discovery tours and helping with babies in the summer. I hang out with my 3 cats and turtle, paint, read, go camping, ride my motorcycle, and play sports.

CARRIE SMOLDON, ANIMAL ADOPTIONS: I was born and raised in Anchorage and occasionally volunteered at the zoo throughout high school. I became a regular volunteer after leaving teaching to start a family. I currently run the adoption program and also continue to volunteer at the zoo. In my spare time I enjoy singing in our church choir, mushing and spending time with my family.

ED BAIER, HEAD GARDENER: I have lived in Alaska since 1982 and worked at the Zoo as a Gardener since May 2002. Since our growing season is so short, late May to September, we start most of our flowers from seed in our greenhouse in January. Some of the hardier and more popular flowers we start are cineraria, delphinium, salvia, echinacea, lobelia, geranium, violets, dianthus, and cosmos. Fuchsia, clivia, gerbera, osteospermum, ivy geranium, periwinkle, and hibiscus are some of the plants we over-winter. Only the hardiest can survive in winter (-20F). Some of them are hosta, false spirea, monkshood, trollius, sedum, primrose, bleeding heart, and peony.

KEVIN PICKEL, PROJECT AND FACILITIES MANAGER: I am originally from Lancaster, PA. My wife and I moved to Alaska in 1992. I was initially hired by the zoo in 1992 to be a carpenter. My experience included attending Technical School and 6 years of carpentry, including certification. Two years after starting at the zoo, I became Maintenance Director. My duties and experience at the zoo include plumbing, electrical work, and both exhibit and general maintenance. I also supervise other staff. I was recently promoted to Project Manager, supervising the construction of several new projects. My interests include hunting, fishing, shooting, and spending time with my daughter (the cutest little girl in Alaska)!

BOB RAUTH, NIGHT SECURITY WATCHMAN: I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Colorado. I started married life managing a ranch in Colorado then moved on to working as a cowboy, feed truck driver, and Assistant Manager on cattle feed lots in Kansas and Nebraska for 30 years. I am married, have six children, and 17 grandchildren and great-grand children. Moved to Alaska and took a job at the Alaska Zoo as Night Security Watchman.

JOHN GOMES, PHOTOGRAPHER: A long time resident of Alaska, I arrived in 1965. While employed with the Anchorage International Airport Police for 20 years, I became interested in photography. In 2003 that the camera opened the door for me at the Alaska Zoo. An image of Ahpun was well received by zoo staff and lent its way to my spending more time at the zoo capturing images of the animals and employees. For 8 years now I have been the zoo's volunteer photographer and I can't think of a better way to spend my time. The photographic opportunities that have presented themselves to me have been so rewarding that I can only hope to continue as the Alaska Zoo’s photographer for years to come.