Chehaw Park & Zoo sees back-to-back administrative resignations

ALBANY – The Chehaw Park Authority will plan for the future leadership at the Albany zoo operation in a series of meetings set for this week following the resignation of the site director and executive director for the facility.

The resignations of Executive Director Tommy Gregors and Site Director Morgan Carpenter are effective Feb. 17 and Feb. 16, respectively.

Gregors, who tendered his resignation on Friday, said he will maintain his roles as executive director at the Flint RiverQuarium and Thronateeska Heritage Center.

“With where I am right now … I am working toward setting a retirement date in the future,” Gregors said. “I decided it was time to back out from some things. For the moment, there are no changes for the RiverQuarium and Thronateeska.

“The timing was right for me. I was wanting to drop out of something and free up some personal time. The timing felt right to do that.”

Gregors, who has served as executive director at the Thronateeska Heritage Center since 2022, and of the RiverQuarium since 2023 and Chehaw Park and Zoo since 2019, said there were no adverse circumstances at the zoo at this time … “nothing that would facilitate this now.”

Carpenter said that she was leaving for “personal reasons” and in a statement said that she has accepted a position elsewhere.

“I resigned from my position as site director because I felt it was time for a change that aligned with my professional and personal goals,” she said in the statement. “I made this decision with the best interest of myself, my family, and Chehaw in mind. Shortly after my resignation, the executive director also made the decision to step down.

“My time at Chehaw has been incredibly rewarding. I’m proud of the work Chehaw has done and continues to do in collaboration with our community partners. The park’s mission and the impact it has on the community will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Carpenter said that the board and staff are dedicated to the park’s mission and have the full capacity to succeed as they move forward.

The Chehaw Park Authority announced on Monday that meetings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The purpose of those meetings, which are open to the public, is to discuss personnel.

The meetings will be held at the Creekside Center at the park, located at 105 Park Road.