Satch Krantz began his career at Riverbanks in 1973 and has served as its executive director since 1976, making him one of the longest serving zoo directors in the nation.

During his career, Krantz has served as president of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Krantz is one of only three American zoo directors that has served as president of both of these organizations. He is currently slated to once again serve as AZA president in 2008, making him the first zoo director to serve two presidential terms since WWII.

Krantz has been heavily involved in the community Riverbanks serves. He is a past president of the board of Palmetto Richland Children's Hospital and the Columbia Rotary Club. He has also served as president of the Clemson University Board of Visitors and the University of South Carolina University Associates and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the River Alliance, the Children’s Hospital and the AZA.

In 1995 he received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Regional Cooperation from the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and in 2002 he was given the International Ambassador of the Year Award by the Committee of 100. He received the Global Vision Award by the World Affairs Council in 2005.

Throughout his career, Krantz has traveled extensively, including thirteen safaris to six different African countries. In February 2002, he walked 120 miles across Tsavo National Park in Kenya, which was only the second time anyone had ever walked the Park's entire length.

Krantz is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University. He and his wife Becky are the proud parents of two grown sons.

In June 2002, James E. (Jim) Smith joined the National Bank of South Carolina and the Synovus Trust Company as Executive Vice President and Manager of Financial Management Services in South Carolina.

He retired in 2001 from Bank of America where he was the Premier Banking Executive for the Carolinas. He also served as the Columbia Market President and was responsible for leadership in all lines of business in the Central Midlands.

Mr. Smith joined Bank of America’s predecessor bank, C&S National Bank in 1976. He held positions in the Commercial and Consumer Banking Groups and served as Midlands Region Executive.

A native of Atlanta, Mr. Smith graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelors of Science degree and Georgia State University with an MBA degree. He also completed The Executive Program at Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia and The Leadership Institute at Synovus.

Mr. Smith has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the River Alliance since 1999 and has served as Chairman since 2004.

Mr. Smith also commits his time to serving on the Boards of Palmetto Club, River Alliance, University of South Carolina Law School Advisory Board, Columbia Empowerment Zone, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina and the Riverbanks Commission. He is Treasurer of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Mr. Smith is married to Nina Nelson Smith, Managing Partner, Smith, Ellis, & Stuckey Law Firm. They enjoy their five grandchildren. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as boating and gardening.

Jeremy G. Wilson co-founded Wilson Kibler, Inc. in 1987 after a successful 20-year career with The Keenan Company in the commercial real estate business. He specializes in office and warehouse space and is licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

Mr. Wilson is a member of the Greater Columbia, South Carolina and National Realtor Associations.

Within his community, Mr. Wilson has served on the Boards of the South Carolina State Museum, Capital Rotary Club, Institute of Real Estate Management and Richland County Planning Commission.

A member of the Riverbanks Society’s board since 2003, Mr. Wilson is serving his second consecutive term. In 2006 he served as the Vice-President of the Society. He will serve one more year on the board before rotating off in late 2008.

Mr. Wilson claims to be a native of Allendale, South Carolina, and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He and his wife Maura have been married for 34 years and have 5 children. Mr. Wilson is a conservationist that enjoys hunting, fishing and hiking.