Community - Georgia Safari Conservation Park

Giving back to the community is the heart of the Georgia Safari Conservation Park! Connecting people with animals is at the core of our mission, and we mean it! We are committed to raising funds that will provide admission and transportation fees for kids from Georgia, especially children in rural areas who may not have the opportunity to visit a zoological park.

Through our education initiatives and partnerships with local school and university systems, we are developing internships and career pathways for Georgia teens looking to fast-track into zoological professions, and mentorship programs for at-risk youth. We are committed to hiring an inclusive staff and offering employment opportunities for special needs adults.

We will take our ambassador animals to visit schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities, and ensure that all park guests feel included by implementing special education programming, sensory spaces, and other supporting programs to enhance their experience.

Learn more about Morgan County

Bill Killmer

Chief Executive Officer, Partner

Bill Killmer has a lifetime of experience as a highly successful landscape architect. As co-founder of Lifescapes, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, he helped build one of the largest, most respected design-build companies in the southeastern United States and employed more than 200 people. The firm won numerous state and national awards, consistently winning the Grand Environmental Improvement Award, one of the most prestigious awards in the country. Killmer also developed adventure travel destinations in Africa and South America where he hosted clients each year. He is a lifelong outdoorsman and environmental conservationist who shares a passion for creating special places for people to enjoy.
Brandie Anderson

Vice President, Partner

A Georgia native, Brandie Anderson received her B.A. in Psychology from Agnes Scott College. As part of Zoo Atlanta’s education team, she discovered a passion for environmental education focusing on zoological science, technology, habitats, husbandry, and environmental awareness. Working in the corporate arena for over 20 years, Anderson combines her experience in operations, project management, sales, marketing, and business development with her passion for wildlife conservation and education.
Andrew O’Connell III, CPA

Chief Financial Officer, Partner

Andrew O’Connell has been President of ALO Consulting, LLC, a financial/advisory services company that provides CFO consulting to a variety of high-end clients. Prior to that, he was the Senior VP and CFO of Reynolds Plantation, an 18,000-acre master planned community in Greensboro, Georgia. O’Connell was responsible for development of the Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation, a 251 room Five-Star resort. Under his guidance, Reynolds was named one of the “Top 5” golf resorts in the world.
Michael C. Conrads

President, Lane Conrads Corporation / Partner

Mike Conrads received a B.S. in business from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. Prior to leading Lane Conrads Corporation, he had a successful eighteen-year career with The Coca-Cola Company in sales and marketing. He has an extensive background and passion for operations, strategic planning, plan execution, project management, problem solving and team leadership gained from experience running Coca-Cola’s Southwest Area Operations Team, which handled product distribution and technical services for customers in a thirteen-state territory.

“Nothing is more important for the young than a sense of wonder generated by a world they feel to be their own-”
Patsy Leamon, Retired Teacher, Athens Academy
“We believe that building a facility that will serve to enhance animal conservation and educate the public is an important component of a zoo... close proximity to this university will facilitate veterinary educational and research opportunities.”
Steven D. Holladay, Ph.D.-Professor & Head, Anatomy & Toxicology, UGA
Robert M. Gogal Jr.,DVM-Associate Professor Immunology & Immunotoxicology, UGA
“I am excited about the economic impact this project will have on our congressional district, as well as the state of Georgia. I anticipate that the jobs created through this zoo, along with the accompanying tourism industry, will have lasting benefits for the local economy.”
Jody Hice, Member of Congress, 10th District Georgia
“This is truly and exciting project that I know is going to have lasting and significant impact on job creation, education and tourism for the state of Georgia. You have my full support on this project.”
Burt Jones, District 25, Georgia State Senate
“Our educators are already extremely excited about this project whose education programs will be used to supplement traditional classroom instruction and support our system’s STEAM initiatives. Specifically, the safari drive-through experience component of this project will bridge multi-educational disciplines blending science, social studies, geography, arts and culture, offering students the opportunity to participate in a unique and immersive educational experience that cannot be had anywhere else in the state of Georgia.”
James R. Woodard, Superintendent, Morgan County Charter School System
“I am excited about the opportunities our zoos will have to work together for the conservation of rare and endangered animals and look forward to your opening.”
Tom Stalf, President & CEO, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
“The development team has a strong commitment to excellence in animal care, education, and guests’ services. I am also impressed with their plans to support wildlife conservation programs and become a conservation resource center for the region.”
Rick Barongi, Former Director, Houston Zoo, Former Board Member for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Former Council Member for the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
“The most important thing is to preserve the world we live in. Unless people understand and learn about our world, Habitats, and animals, they won’t understand that if we don’t protect those habitats, we’ll eventually destroy ourselves.”
Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo
“We are really excited about exploring even more opportunities for Camp Twin Lakes and the Georgia Safari Conservation Park to work together to enhance and further each of our missions!! We stand ready to meet and explore!”
Daniel Mathews, M.Ed.,CTRS, COO Camp Twin Lakes