Jul

Gregory Melanson is new deputy executive director of Friends of the National Zoo

Gregory Melanson has been named deputy executive director of Friends of the National Zoo. He joins FONZ after 25 years with the Bank of America and predecessor banks, where he served in a variety of managerial positions in divisions focused on tax credits, low-income housing, community-based lending, commercial real estate, grantmaking and other areas. Melanson has extensive leadership, management and strategic planning experience, and expertise in managing teams of employees, assessing fundraising proposals, and serving as an organizational representative and spokesperson.

He also has been actively involved in community issues, fundraising and serving on committees and boards of directors for nonprofit organizations that work on affordable housing, homelessness, Hispanic civil rights and other issues. In addition, he has served on the FONZ board of directors.

As FONZ’s deputy executive director, Melanson oversees and coordinates the organization’s day-to-day operations, focusing on visitor and membership services; fundraising, education and communication activities; and organizational development and performance.

Melanson manages a staff of more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees who implement the Zoo’s membership, volunteer, and education programs, host special events, raise funds for Zoo projects, and provide grants for Zoo staff and guest services for more than 2.5 million Zoo visitors annually. FONZ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that generated more than $20 million in revenues in 2008.

Melanson earned a bachelor of arts in business administration from Loyola College in Baltimore, and a master’s of business administration from George Washington University.