Today, Dinsmore has his dream job.

"I was able to make a career from my interests and education," he said.

Dinsmore said seeing a better zoo become a reality is his favorite part of the job.

He's more comfortable talking about the hard work and talents of his year-round staff of 100 employees than about himself.

"The zoo is a team," he said, stressing that its success is a product of the employees and its army of volunteers. "That's what makes me look good."

Dinsmore took over Hogle Zoo in March 1997. He had been vice president and general curator of the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans from 1992 to 1997 and worked at four zoos before that. He has 33 years of experience in zoos.

Dinsmore holds a bachelor of science degree in zoology from Colorado State University. In 1981, he attended the American Zoo and Aquarium Association School for Professional Management Development.

Dinsmore met his wife at a zoo where she worked.

"I was a curator," he said. "She was in (zoo) marketing, and we met at a zoo conference."

The couple has two grown sons.

Dinsmore enjoys photography, fishing and spending time in the mountains. He has two dogs at home, but said he doesn't need more pets there, with so many at the zoo.

E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com