Gregory J. Melanson, Deputy Executive Director of Friends of the National Zoo

Greg Melanson became Deputy Executive Director of Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) in June 2009. He joined FONZ after 25 years at Bank of America and predecessor banks, serving in a variety of managerial positions in divisions focused on tax credits, low-income housing, community-based lending, commercial real estate, grantmaking, and other areas. Melanson has extensive leadership, management, and strategic planning experience, and expertise in managing teams of employees, assessing fundraising proposals, and serving as an organizational representative and  spokesperson.

He has also been actively involved in community issues, fundraising and serving on committees and boards of directors for nonprofit organizations that work on affordable housing, homelessness, Hispanic civil rights, and other issues. In addition, he has served on the FONZ board of directors.

As FONZ’s Deputy Executive Director, Melanson oversees and coordinates the organization’s day-to-day operations, focusing on visitor and membership services; fundraising, education, and communication activities; and organizational development and performance.

Melanson manages a staff of more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees who implement the Zoo’s membership, volunteer, and education programs, host special events, raise funds for Zoo projects, and provide grants for Zoo staff and guest services for more than 2.5 million Zoo visitors annually. FONZ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that generated more than $20 million in revenues in 2008.

Melanson earned a bachelor of arts in business administration from Loyola College in Baltimore, and a master's of business administration from George Washington University.