Cooper Coleman Leading CFO Search for Jacksonville Zoological Society
October 29, 2026 – Cooper Coleman LLC has been retained by Jacksonville Zoological Society, Inc. to conduct a national search for its next CFO. “Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has an ambitious vision for its future, and its next CFO will help shape how those plans move forward,” said Johnny Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “We’re looking for someone who can build strong relationships across the organization and bring clear financial judgment to decisions that affect both its daily work and long-term impact.”
The next CFO will support the Zoo’s continued development as it invests in its campus and advances its mission of connecting communities with wildlife and wild places.
The CFO will join the organization as it modernizes its financial systems and operating practices and plans for future campus investment. Reporting to president and CEO Jeff Ettling, the CFO will lead the finance function and work closely with executive colleagues and the board to align organizational priorities with a sustainable financial strategy.
Candidates should bring senior financial leadership experience, a record of managing an eight-figure budget, and demonstrated success developing teams and improving financial systems. Non-profit financial experience is preferred. Experience in zoos, aquariums, or comparable institutions is valuable but not required.
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been part of Northeast Florida’s community since 1914. Its campus along the Trout River brings together animal care, horticulture, conservation, and education through experiences that connect visitors with the natural world. The Zoo has maintained accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1987 and supports wildlife conservation regionally and globally.
Cooper Coleman is a retained executive search firm serving mission-driven organizations across the non-profit and social impact sector. The firm partners with arts and cultural institutions, museums, zoos and aquariums, public health, educational and research institutions, associations, and social service organizations nationwide. A member of The Giving Institute and the Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants, Cooper Coleman is ranked by Hunt Scanlon Media among the Top 250 recruiting firms and the Top 65 nonprofit executive search firms in the United States.
Related: Cooper Coleman Recruits CFO the Center for Child Protection
Founded by non-profit leaders and executive search professionals, Cooper Coleman brings decades of firsthand sector experience to every engagement. The firm approaches executive search as stewardship, representing organizations and their missions with care, rigor, and integrity. Cooper Coleman is often selected by boards and senior leaders when the stakes are unusually high, and leadership decisions carry lasting organizational consequence.
Mr. Cooper has worked with publicly and privately held corporations in the recruitment of C-level operating, finance, human resources, sales/marketing, supply chain, and technology executives. Prior to Cooper Coleman, he founded and led Coleman Search Consulting LLC, for more than 10 years before selling the firm.
East Coast Zoological Foundation Search
Late last year, Cooper Coleman recruited David Lamadrid as the new CFO of East Coast Zoological Foundation (ECZF), home of the Brevard Zoo and the upcoming Bowen Aquarium. This followed a national search led by Mr. Cooper, founder and CEO of Cooper Coleman. “David is a thoughtful, values-driven leader who understands how to build strong financial systems that support organizational stability and progress,” he said. “His experience and approach are well aligned with where ECZF is headed, and it has been a privilege to partner with him and the organization on this placement.”
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Established in 1986, the East Coast Zoological Foundation operates Brevard Zoo and will soon open the new Aquarium at Port Canaveral, a world-class facility focused on marine conservation. The organization is committed to connecting people with nature and promoting biodiversity through innovative programs, partnerships, and immersive educational experiences.
Related: Cooper Coleman Seeking Executive Director for Friends of International Friendship Park
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
