Scottsbluff zoo searching for new executive director

SCOTTSBLUFF – The Board of Riverside Discovery Center is preparing to re-start the search for a new Executive Director for the facility.

Riverside Discovery Center had been in a bit of a flux these last few months since the departure of Anthony Mason, former Executive Director of RDC. After a nationwide search where multiple out-of-state candidates were brought in for a panel interview as well as a facility and community tour, local candidate Hawk Buckman, former RDC Board Member and Interim Director, was selected as the new director of RDC. Buckman voluntarily resigned on February 14, 2023.

On Friday, February 17, the Board voted to appoint Desiree Drane-Davison as the new Interim Director for RDC. Drane-Davison was previously employed by Riverside Discovery Center as a keeper and is enthusiastic to be able to help. Her professional background is concentrated in National Park Service.

The Board will seek to fill the Executive Director search through a committee approach sourcing through the AZA network, but is open to the right local, passionate, and business-minded individual.

The Board is grateful to Desiree for her offer of assistance to step in as the Interim Director of the RDC facility. As a Board, we are mindful of what an important role this individual plays in our facility and the positive impact this person will enable RDC to have on our community going forward.