Samantha Kerns Sassone

Director of Living Collections

 

Samantha will work with curators at both FRQ and CPZ to create a consistent and high standard of care and welfare for all animals managed by the Artesian Alliance. With bachelors of science in Zoology and Environmental Biology and an associates degree in Zoo Animal Technology, Sassone worked as a zookeeper at the Lubee Bat Conservancy and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens before arriving at Chehaw in 2009.

Jackie Entz Shores

Director of Education

 

Jackie has been named Director of Education for the Artesian Alliance. In this role, she will oversee and coordinate all education staff and programming for the group. Shores was previously employed at the Center for Wildlife Education at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, where she also earned her Master of Science degree. In addition, she holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Georgia Southwestern University. Shores is excited about the joint educational opportunities that lie ahead for the Artesian Alliance.

Parker Webb Douglas

Director of Membership and Development

 

Parker Webb Douglas is a native of Albany, Ga., who graduated from Deerfield-Windsor School in 2007. After graduation, Parker went on to attend the University of Georgia, where she received her bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Parker returned to Albany shortly after and met her husband, Rob Douglas, whom she wed in 2013. They welcomed a daughter in 2018. During this time, Parker worked in real estate, where she gained a greater understanding of what it means to work and build a life in the city of Albany. With this knowledge, she was able to transition into marketing and take on a role as a cheerleader for the community. Parker has been firmly rooted in the community for years now, and she remains committed to making it better for all of Albany’s residents.