The Santa Barbara Zoo has a new president and CEO who brings a plethora of experience from aquariums, the Air Force, and as a music producer.
Charles Hopper’s passion for conservation began when he got a job at the Seattle Aquarium and heard presentations from world-renowned conservationists.
“During that time, I had a ton of opportunities to see world-renowned leaders and conservationists do their presentations as I was setting up the microphones and PowerPoint presentations for their talks,” Hopper said. “Over the years, I was inspired by the work that they were doing.”
Hopper is the zoo’s third ever CEO and first ever Black CEO. He said he’s had an untraditional path, but is excited to make his mark on the zoo’s legacy.
“When I think about the third ever, it means there’s stability within the role, and that there is support for an individual to come in, set a vision, and then have the time to see that vision through,” Hopper said. “It’s an honor, and then there’s a huge responsibility that comes as well that I don’t take lightly, but I’m excited.”
While he didn’t have the opportunity to go to zoos and aquariums as a kid, he wants to create those opportunities for his own community and others.
“The engagement in zoos and aquariums really changed my perspective on creating opportunities for communities that I grew up in, or communities that didn’t necessarily have that on their radar to figure out ways to deepen that engagement and really make an impact,” Hopper said. “The efforts of conservation are only going to be impactful if we have a larger community narrative.”
Hopper took over the job from Rich Block who retired in January after 26 years of zoo leadership.
“Finding someone to succeed Rich Block was no small task,” said Jim Jackson, chair of the Santa Barbara Zoo’s board of directors and head of the Search and Transition Committee. “Rich has left an indelible mark on the zoo, and it was vital for us to find a leader who could build on that legacy while charting a bold path forward.”
Jackson said Hopper’s background and passion for conservation was the reason he rose to the top of their list.
“We believe he is the right person to lead the zoo into its next era,” Jackson said.
Hopper acknowledged that he has big shoes to fill but that he’s inspired by the legacy Block left behind.
“Over several conversations with Rich, I’ve been inspired by him, the vision and the continued support that he has for conservation efforts, both locally and globally,” Hopper said. “It feels like an opportunity to really deepen the work that he started.”
Before arriving in Santa Barbara, Hopper spent nearly four years at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla as chief operating officer. Before that he was the senior business operations manager at the Seattle Aquarium.
Prior to that, Hopper was an audio engineer and music producer for 15 years; he is a member of the Recording Academy.
While his favorite animal exhibit keeps changing, right now Hopper said his favorite is Raj, the red panda. However, his favorite part of the zoo so far has been engaging with guests and experiencing the zoo through their eyes.
“I see the zoo’s role in the community as really being responsible for deepening the engagement opportunities and pathways into conservation,” Hopper said.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is part of numerous conservation efforts including the California Condor Recovery Program and the Island Fox Recovery Program. The zoo is also partnering with California State University Channel Islands to create a conservation center.
Hopper said he wants to deepen the work being done in these programs and help be a part of creating career pathways into conservation.
“I think we’re just now understanding as a western narrative that we have to take immediate action on this for there to be long-term viability for all living things on this planet,” Hopper said. “Conservation gives us a perspective to understand how our impact impacts wildlife and wild places everywhere, and we could do that right in our backyard every day.”
As the focus of his first few months on the job, Hopper said he’s connecting with zoo members, community members, donors and the board of directors to learn about their vision for the zoo and how it fits in the Santa Barbara community.
“I really want to focus on being here and being present and letting individuals get to know me and getting to know them,” Hopper said. “Then long term for the year, looking at casting a larger vision alongside what I learned through that discovery process and what the opportunities to deepen the work that we’re already doing are.”