SGLT Board Member Gains National Recognition

Save the Golden Lion Tamarin Board Member Kenton Kerns was awarded The Lutz Ruhe Meritorious Achievement AAZK Professional of the Year Award at this year’s American Association of Zoo Keepers conference in Greensboro, North Carolina. The purpose of this award is to recognize members of AAZK in good standing, for their day-to day professionalism within their facility.  Commitment and dedication to AAZK at a Committee or Chapter level enhances the nomination.

Kenton is a keeper at the Small Mammal House at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, DC.  The AAZK Professional of the Year award is given in recognition of his outstanding commitment to professionalism during his distinguished career as a zookeeper. Specially noted is his work with the golden lion tamarins and research projects, publishing articles, mentoring interns, and serving on the Boards of Save the Golden Lion Tamarin and Chopsticks for Salamanders, as well as his service on the National Zoo's Safety Committee.  Also noted is his service at the AAZK National and Chapter levels, developing the National Capital chapter’s brown bag seminar series and the NCAAZK Professional Development Committee, and as Chapter President, dramatically increasing membership.  He embodies the AAZK mission to advance animal care, promote public awareness, enhance professional development and contribute to local and global conservation.