Diane Villa Appointed Interim Director of North Carolina Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. (ACME NEWS) — Diane Villa, a 31-year veteran of the North Carolina Zoo and its current deputy director and chief communications officer, has been named interim director following the passing of Director and CEO Pat Simmons.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), which oversees the Zoo, announced this week that Villa will lead the Zoo through a transitional period while DNCR conducts a national search for a permanent director.

“Diane’s many years of experience at the Zoo and her role as a member of the senior leadership team make her uniquely qualified to lead the North Carolina Zoo through this transition period,” said DNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell.

Villa joined the Zoo in 1994 and had previously served as art director, curator of design, and director of communications and marketing. In her role as deputy director and chief communications officer, she oversees marketing, public relations, guest services, social media, graphic design, special events, and park security. She’s also helped shape the Zoo’s long-term strategic planning and interpretive design, including playing a key role in the Zoo’s $75 million Asia expansion project, expected to open in 2026.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the North Carolina Zoo in this interim period,” said Villa. “Under Pat’s leadership, the Zoo built a thoughtful and creative community that I will continue to nourish as we move forward to opening Asia in 2026.”

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Villa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University. She also serves on the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors.