L. Ronald (Ron) Forman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Audubon Nature Institute, Inc.

President and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute, Ron Forman, stands in front of the Cooper Plaza Fountain.

  • Audubon Park
  • Audubon Zoo
  • Woldenberg Riverfront Park
  • Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
  • Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center
  • Entergy Giant Screen Theater
  • 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 "animal 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 Professional Affiliations
American Association of Museums Board
American Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums, President
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

 

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