Mike at WHC in 1995
A very young oil spill veterinarian, 29 years ago at the original Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis

OWCN Leadership Change

  • by Mike Ziccardi

Dear OWCN friends-

I hope everyone is doing well! I wanted to share with the Network some news regarding leadership at OWCN - I have decided that the time is right to step down as OWCN Director.

The OWCN is celebrating its 30th year anniversary in 2024, and I have been fortunate to be an active participant in all of it - the last 20 years as its Director. It is a core part of my personal and professional life, so leaving it is filled with mixed emotions. However, the OWCN Management Team is strong, our relationship with OSPR has never been better, and you, our Network Members, fully embrace our mission, so I can think of no better time to make the change.

I will be remaining at UCD in the OHI and Wildlife Health Center, so this change will allow for an excellent hand-over to a new Director, as I will be able to help advise them in a similar fashion to how Jonna Mazet mentored me in 2003.

Thank you all for your support of the OWCN, and to me personally. I look forward to celebrating our 30th with many of you at our upcoming Oilapalooza. Until them, please take care.

Mike Ziccardi, OWCN Director