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Kansas City Zoo CEO Retiring After 18 Years

By Steve Kraske,

Published July 27, 2021 at 4:25 PM CDT

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Randy Whistoff is stepping down as CEO of the Kansas City Zoo at the age of 72 after serving in that role for 18 years.

During his tenure Randy Wisthoff has overseen critical changes at the Kansas City Zoo.

Wisthoff's current role will run until the end of this year when he will transition to a part-time gig as the executive director of the Kansas City Zoo Foundation. Noting his age, he explains the complexities of managing a zoo run deep, needing "every bit of energy every day."

Randy Wisthoff, chief executive officer, Kansas City Zoo

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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