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Rod Hackney - Public Relations Manager
photo: N.C. Zoo
Rod Hackney has served as the North Carolina Zoo’s Public Relations Manager for more than 18 years. He has nearly 30 years experience as a newspaper reporter, professional writer, television producer and public information officer.
A 1974 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in journalism, Rod served one year as a public relations intern with the United Way of Greater Greensboro before joining the news staff of the Greensboro News & Record. During a 10-year career at the newspaper, Rod worked as a sports and general assignment reporter, copy editor, editor of special sections and business writer.
Rod joined the N.C. Zoo staff in 1987. His responsibilities include creating news releases, magazine articles, TV and radio scripts, arranging interviews for the media, responding to media inquiries, conducting tours for the media and serving as official zoo spokesman to both the media and public.
Rod is also the on-camera host, writer and co-producer of “The Zoo FileZ,” a weekly television series on the N.C. Zoo carried by 10 broadcast stations in North Carolina and distributed by the National News Service to stations around the Southeast.
Rod has twice been recognized by the North Carolina Zoological Park Council, the zoo’s governor-appointed board of directors, for service to the zoo during his days as a reporter and as an Outstanding Employee. He has also twice been presented with the Outstanding Service Award by the national Association of Zoos & Aquariums for his work with the AZA Public Relations Committee.
“The Zoo FileZ” television series has also received a number awards for television production, including The Communicator Award, The Videographer Award and the International Mercury Award.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.
