L. Ronald (Ron) Forman

President & Chief Executive Officer
Audubon Nature Institute, Inc.

  • Audubon Park
  • Audubon Zoo
  • Woldenberg Riverfront Park
  • Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
  • Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center
  • Entergy IMAX® Theatre
  • Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
  • Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species
  • Audubon Wilderness Park
  • Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium
  • Audubon Nature Institute Foundation

 

Ron Forman began his tenure with Audubon Park and Zoological Garden in 1972 as City Hall liaison. Arriving at Audubon in 1977 he continued with the transform of Audubon Zoo from an "urban ghetto" to the "Urban Eden" we see today. As president and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute, Ron Forman has been instrumental in the growth of this organization and stands as a community leader in the New Orleans area.

Employment
1977 - Present President and Chief Executive Officer, Audubon Nature Institute
1973 - 1977 Deputy Director, Audubon Park & Zoological Garden
1972 - 1973 Administrative Analyst, City of New Orleans, Audubon Park Commission
   
Education
1976 Graduate of Zoo Management School, North Carolina State University
1969 B. S. Degree, Louisiana State University
   
Current Affiliations   
Professional American Zoo and Aquarium Association
  World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Other Greater New Orleans Miracle League Board
  Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District Commission, Chairman
  New Orleans Business Council
  New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Board, Chairman
  New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Past Chairman
  Tulane President’s Council
  Wake Forest Parents’ Council
   
Past Affiliations
Professional American Association of Museums Board
  American Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums, President
  Chimp Haven Advisory Committee
  Georgia Tech Center for Conservation and Behavior, Senior Fellow
   
Awards  
2005 Woodrow Wilson Award
2002 Man of the Year, Construction Industry Association
1999 Walk of Fame Inductee, New Orleans Hilton
1998 Jr. Achievement Business Hall of Fame
1995 Gambit Newspaper "New Orleanian of the Year"
1994 PR Society of America/New Orleans "Hornblower of the Year"
1993 ADL "Torch of Liberty Award"
1992 National Conference of Christians & Jews "Weiss Award"
1990 New Orleans Magazine "Man of the Decade"
  New Orleans Press Club "Headliner of the Year"
  New Orleans Area Boy Scouts Council "Distinguished Citizen Award"
1989 Big Brothers/Big Sisters "Man of the Year"
   
Publications  
1985 “Audubon Park:  An Urban Eden”, Co-Author
1986 “Red Pepper Paradise”, Foreword
1990 “Creatures, Corals, and Colors”, Foreword

 

Read more about Ron Forman and the Senior Staff of Audubon Nature Institute.