National Aviary Names Patrick Mangus Executive Director
Ida D’Errico to Lead Development Efforts

The National Aviary today announced the appointment of Patrick Mangus to the position of executive director. Mangus, who has worked as the organization’s chief operating officer for the past two years, assumes the position effective immediately.

Directing the organization’s capital campaign and development efforts will be veteran marketing and fundraising professional Ida D’Errico. D’Errico will be responsible for overseeing the National Aviary’s capital campaign and other fundraising activities, including sponsorship programs. The National Aviary is currently raising funds to support a planned expansion and renovation project that includes construction of a free-flight bird theater, rooftop raptor encounter theater, new exhibits and classrooms.

D’Errico has over 20 years experience in high-level positions at Mellon Arena, Kaufmann’s Department Stores, WQED Multimedia, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Her accomplishments include raising more than $8.4 million for the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, and the restructuring of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s marketing strategies, reversing an 11-year trend of declining ticket sales and placing the organization in the black for two consecutive years for the first time in six years.

Other staffing changes include the promotion of Cheryl Tracy to the position of chief financial officer. Tracy has held the position of director of finance and human resources for the past two years.

“We are delighted to have such a strong leadership team in place to carry forward the many exciting changes planned and taking shape at the National Aviary,” says Mike Flinn, National Aviary board chair. “With groundbreaking for the new FliteZone™ theater set for April and our new outdoor penguin exhibit already under construction, our vision of the Aviary as one of the world’s finest zoo facilities for interactive programming and wildlife conservation education is fast becoming reality. I am confident that our new leadership, together with the outstanding staff already in place, will achieve all that we have planned for the next decade.”