John Ball Zoo hires CFO

John Ball Zoo hires CFO

Michael Gantt. Courtesy John Ball Zoo

There's a new chief financial officer at John Ball Zoo.

The zoo said last week it hired Michael Gantt for the role.

As CFO, Gantt will lead the zoo’s finance strategy and oversee its financial operations: accounting and financial management; budget and planning; and financial analysis and reporting.

He brings more than 25 years of financial experience to the role.

Most recently, he served as the VP of finance and administration and CFO for The Family Institute at Northwestern University in Chicago.

He has also served as director of finance and administration and controller for Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

He holds a B.B.A. in finance from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia.

“John Ball Zoo is at a transformational time, and I look forward to leading the financial initiatives, so those strategic plans and objectives can reach fruition,” Gantt said.

John Ball Zoo

Founded in 1891, John Ball Zoo sits on 140 acres of land in Grand Rapids, at 1300 Fulton W.