CEO of NC Zoo Passes Away After Long Fight With Cancer

The head of the North Carolina Zoo located in Asheboro passed away on Monday, according to an official statement from the zoo.

As reported by the North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons passed away on Monday following a battle with cancer that lasted almost five years. Simmons began her career at the North Carolina Zoo in 2015, having previously spent three decades employed by the Akron Zoo in Ohio.

Simmons was responsible for the overall development plan of the zoo in both 2024 and 2025, and led the preparation for the new 12.5-acre Asia area addition, which will debut in June 2026. This marks the zoo's largest update since 1994.

Pat frequently smiled and was full of laughter, spreading her warmth to everyone around her," stated Cheryl Armstrong, Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, in a release. "The entire zoo community will forever be thankful for the insight, compassion, and companionship that Pat Simmons gave us. While we'll certainly feel her absence, we're aware that the positive impact she made throughout her life won’t cease. The generosity, honesty, and spirit that Pat brought out in those who knew her will continue far beyond today, helping improve the lives of every living being.