Our Team
Leadership Team
Julia Wilder
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
Julia has served in a variety of roles in the zoological industry for over 20 years, with a focus on risk mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery work at exotic animal facilities. She co-founded ZDR3 in 2019.
Michael Fouraker
Mike Fouraker has spent his 50-year career working in zoological institutions. A founding member of ZDR3, he has been the Director of the Fort Worth Zoo since 1993.
PRESIDENT
Eric Trager
VICE PRESIDENT
Eric Trager is the Director of the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels, TX. He is a founding member of ZDR3.
Susan Kleven is the Director of the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainsville, Texas. A founding member of ZDR3, Susan is the Secretary of our Board of Directors.
SECRETARY
Susan Kleven
Tim Morrow
DIRECTOR
Tim Morrow is the President & CEO of San Antonio Zoological Society. Prior to joining the zoo, Tim had a 24-year career in the theme park industry. Tim joined ZDR3’s board in 2025.
DIRECTOR
Bill Street
Bill Street has been a leader within the zoology, education, and conservation sectors for nearly 35 years. In 2024, Bill began serving as the President and CEO of Zoo Knoxville. Bill joined ZDR3’s board in 2025.
All ZDR3 leadership and staff have responded to disaster events at non-domestic animal facilities.
Staff
Mandy Matson
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
communications@zdr3.org
Melanie Messer
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
melanie@zdr3.org
Cari Wittenborn
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
cari@zdr3.org
Other Team Members
Kelly Trager
BOOKKEEPER
Rachel Garner
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Evelyn Reis
RESEARCH