Skip Navigation

Riverbanks Boasts New Flock of Senior Leaders

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2016

Zoo also Names New Society Board President

As Destination Riverbanks continues to soar, the Zoo also is spreading its wings with new additions to its senior management team.

Riverbanks recently welcomed the return of Breta Rheney as chief financial officer. The University of South Carolina graduate is a certified public accountant (CPA) who brings more than 30 years of accounting experience to the Zoo. Rheney was most recently employed by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) as controller in the insurance finance area. Prior to her initial term at Riverbanks (May 2011 – October 2013), Rheney was the director of finance and controlling at Ebewe Parenta Pharmaceuticals, an internationally-owned generic pharmaceutical company. She also is the immediate past-president of the Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina (GFOASC).

Christie Vondrak, Riverbanks’ new director of human resources, has been a dedicated member of the Zoo family for nearly 10 years. Vondrak began her career at Riverbanks in December of 2006 as volunteer manager and in 2012, her hard work and service earned her the title of human resources manager. The University of South Carolina alumna also is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and a professional affiliate member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Zoo also is pleased to announce the promotion of Lochlan Wooten to director of marketing. Wooten has been a devoted member of the Riverbanks’ team for more than seven years. The Washington and Lee University graduate began her career in Riverbanks’ marketing department in 2009 as events manager. Now, as director of marketing, Wooten oversees communications and public relations, events and the Zoo’s membership department. She also is president-elect of the Palmetto Chapter of the Washington and Lee University Alumni Association.

Dr. Martha Weber brings to Riverbanks a wealth of knowledge and experience in veterinary medicine. Dr. Weber, who has worked as a clinical veterinarian for 22 years, will begin her role as senior veterinarian in late May. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Minnesota and also earned a Master of Public Health degree specializing in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from Washington University. Dr. Weber comes to Riverbanks from the Saint Louis County Department of Health where she served as program manager of vector and veterinary services. In addition, she has worked as a staff veterinarian for Walt Disney World Company and the Saint Louis Zoo where she also held the title of interim director of animal health.

Riverbanks Society, the private, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization supporting the needs of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, recently elected Chris Goodall as the president of the Society’s Board of Directors. Goodall is president of Goodall Company—a Columbia-based real estate and development firm. He recently retired as CEO and vice chairman of AFLAC Group Insurance. Goodall also previously served as chairman and CEO of Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC), which was acquired by Aflac in 2009. Prior to CAIC, he was a partner in a Columbia law firm. In addition to Riverbanks Society, Goodall is an active member of the community serving on various boards and organizations.