NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For more information: J Gramza, Communications Manager Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park Phone: (315) 435-8511 x110
Friends of the Zoo Welcomes Three New Board Members
The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo has three new volunteer board members: Andrew Bobrek, Laura Iorio and Ryan Elliott.
Andrew Bobrek is Labor and Employment Law attorney and partner at the Bond, Schoeneck & King law firm. He holds a Doctorate of Law degree from Syracuse University College of Law and a Master’s of Public Administration from SU’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University.
Bobrek is a member of the CNY Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association, the New York State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association and the Onondaga County Bar Association. He lives in Jamesville with his wife and two children.
Laura Iorio is a dedicated community volunteer and longtime supporter of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. She and her husband, Rick, CEO and founder of Century Heating + Cooling, not only fully funded the zoo’s Giant Pacific octopus exhibit through a private donation, they originated the idea after seeing a Giant Pacific octopus exhibit at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Laura has also served on the Executive Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse and the Crouse Hospital Auxiliary. She and her husband live in Manlius. They have three adult children, four grandchildren and three pets.
Ryan T. Elliott is a corporate attorney at Byrne Dairy, Inc. He has been with Byrne Dairy for four years. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont.
Before joining Byrne Dairy, Ryan worked with Syracuse University’s Burton Blatt Institute as well as its Disability Rights Clinic. In addition to holding these positions, Ryan was a summer law clerk for Onondaga County Judge Michael Hanuszczak and a legal intern for the Madison County District Attorney’s Office. Prior to attending law school, Ryan served in the AmeriCorps NCCC program, where he participated in community service projects across the U.S.
Elliott currently resides in Syracuse with his partner, Erin O’Connor, and their 4-year-old Goldendoodle, Reagan.
The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a nonprofit organization that supports the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. Friends of the Zoo supports the mission of the zoo by providing educational programming to zoo visitors and the surrounding community, marketing efforts, fundraising and development activities.
The Friends of the Zoo board is a volunteer board whose members serve 3-year terms helping to lead the organization in its efforts on behalf of the zoo. The Friends of the Zoo funded more than $2 million in capital improvements at the zoo in 2016.
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Founded in 1914, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is among the top 10 percent of zoos in the country as an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is dedicated to connecting people to the natural world by providing engaging guest experiences, exceptional animal care, and unparalleled conservation education.
The zoo actively collaborates with Friends of the Zoo to provide its guests “the best day ever,” ensuring experiences that excite, memories that endure, and knowledge that inspires worldwide conservation.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults (19-61), $4 for youth (3-18) and $5 for seniors (62+). Children two and under are free. For more information, call the zoo at (315) 435-8511 or visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
One Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY 13204 • (315) 435-8511 • (315) 435-8517 fax www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org County Executive, Joanne M. Mahoney • Commissioner of Parks & Recreation, Bill Lansley Rosamond Gifford Zoo Director, Ted Fox • Friends of the Zoo President, Janet Agostini