“We’re thrilled and honored by this significant show of support by Delta, not just for its hometown Zoo, but for its hometown of Atlanta. We can’t think of a better way to start 2015,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “This is the first corporate gift to this capital campaign, so we’re very excited about the energizing example this sets for our community. We’re extremely grateful to Delta for this outstanding demonstration of commitment, and we’re delighted to assemble a veritable dream team of philanthropic, corporate and community leaders to serve on our new campaign cabinet.” 

Honorary Campaign Chairs are Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Arthur Blank, Chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and owner of the Atlanta Falcons. Co-Chairs are Paul Bowers, President & CEO, Georgia Power Company; Jim Hannan, CEO & President, Georgia-Pacific LLC; and David Ratcliffe, Retired Chairman, President & CEO, Southern Company. Committee members are Ginny Brewer, community leader; Mike Donnelly, President, Atlanta Region, Wells Fargo Bank; Bert Ellis, Chairman & CEO, Ellis Communications; Brad Foster, Vice President & Director, The Zeist Foundation; Larry Gellerstedt, President & CEO, Cousins Properties; Penny McPhee, President & Trustee, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Mark Roberts, Zoo Atlanta Board Chair and Chairman, Bentley Holdings; Bill Rogers, Chairman & CEO of SunTrust Banks, Inc.; Lovette Russell, Zoo Atlanta Board Member and Senior Consultant, Coxe Curry & Associates; Carol B. Tomé, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, The Home Depot; and John C. Yates, Partner-in-charge of The Technology Practice, Morris, Manning & Martin. 

“Delta is proud to take the leading role in supporting Zoo Atlanta and serves as a catalyst for other companies to invest in this campaign,” said Tad Hutcheson, Vice President of Community Affairs for Delta. “As momentum builds at the Zoo, we are honored to support Zoo Atlanta as they continue to create an informative, educational and engaging experience for all of its visitors.”  

In November 2014, The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation awarded Zoo Atlanta with a $20 million matching grant for the campaign; as a result, the Delta commitment has a doubled total value of $2 million. 

Launched in summer 2014 following the City of Atlanta’s transfer of the stewardship of the 1920s-era Cyclorama building to Zoo Atlanta, the “Grand New View” campaign will focus on the renovation of the historic structure and its surrounding property. Over the next four to five years, the building and its environs will be transformed to include a state-of-the-art special event destination; a grand entry plaza; a parking solution; and a dramatic expansion of the Zoo’s African elephant habitat, which will more than triple in size by 2019.