Opening Speaker
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Wednesday 1:00pm
One of OACRAO’s most popular presentations…staff and animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will welcome conference attendees and energize the audience.
The Columbus Zoo is world renowned and recently was named the “Number One Zoo in the United States” by USA Travel Guide. The zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals representing over 700 species. The zoo has a strong commitment to conservation and preservation efforts including a partnership with The Wilds (a featured speaker at the 2009 OACRAO Conference).
The Columbus Zoo also has a strong commitment to education including partnerships with a variety of area colleges and universities and opportunities for student learning and internships.
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the animals during and following the presentation.
Closing Speaker
- Honorable Ted Celeste,
Ohio House of Representatives
Friday 10:15am
Coming from a political family that is a household name in Ohio, Ted Celeste serves as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and has positioned himself as a leader on the topic of education. A political friend of higher education, he is a graduate of the College of Wooster and has served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Ohio State University.
As chairman of Ohio State’s Board of Trustees, Celeste pursued the creation of Ohio State's Science and Technology Campus, which houses space for biotech and biomedical startup companies and helps to expand the high-growth, technology-based companies. Those efforts have linked the public and private sectors, helping create high-paying jobs for the region.
Representative Celeste has a diverse background from teaching with the Peace Corp in Fiji to helping develop a professional soccer team to working as part of President Jimmy Carter’s Whitehouse transition team. Outside of the Statehouse, Rep. Celeste is a successful businessman with a deep desire to leave an indelible mark on the future. He is President of Celeste and Associates Real Estate, Inc., a residential real estate company. In the 1980's, he founded Advanced Interactive Video, Inc., an electronic marketing and promotions company with interactive video kiosks in 250 retail locations.
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