We owe a debt of gratitude to every volunteer Accreditation Inspector and to our member zoos and aquariums that encourage them to participate. Many thanks to all of the Accreditation Inspectors who served during the most recent accreditation cycle.

Among them are many talented individuals who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty -- our Accreditation Inspectors of the Year.

The Inspector of the Year Award

This award, first presented in 2003, originated as a means of recognizing AZA Accreditation Inspectors who, throughout their years of service, have donated their time to a large number of inspections, and/or whose work has consistently been of exceptional quality. The award is presented annually to three individuals whose selection is based on those criteria.

Serving as an accreditation inspector is a difficult task and is critically important to the integrity of the accreditation process. The enormous amount of time and effort required in preparing for and performing these inspections is astronomical. The Accreditation Commission, and AZA, are sincerely thankful for the contribution of time and expertise that all of our inspectors make to the success of our accreditation process. Here are AZA's Inspectors of the Year:

• Dwight Lawson, PhD, Executive Director/CEO, Oklahoma City Zoo
  Inspector of the Year, Operations
• Jack Jewell, General Curator, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
  Inspector of the Year, Animal Management and Husbandry
• Michael Nance, DVM, Ellen Trout Zoo
  Inspector of the Year, Veterinary