Chris Howes

I’m one of the few who has been able to claim that their workplace is a zoo. Literally. As in the actual meaning of the word "literally." For nearly 25 years, I served on the editorial staff at the Chicago Zoological Society — known for its Brookfield Zoo destination and for its international leadership in conservation, education, and animal care.

On a side note, if you ever find yourself employed at a zoo, feel free to quite frequently come home from work and exclaim, “Man, my day today was a zoo!” I can tell you first-hand that spouses love that sort of thing. Eye rolls are a positive gesture, right?

Anyway, my background is in writing, editing, and project management, first at two trade magazines, teaching experts in their field about new technologies; then all those years at the zoo; and finally at Aurora University in Chicago’s western suburbs, where among my responsibilities I oversaw the alumni magazine and tutored students in writing.

Now back to the zoo. Because you know that’s what you want to hear about.

There I was the managing editor, working closely with designers, marketing staff, freelance writers, and a diverse, cross-functional group of colleagues, including organizational leadership, administrators, and animal care specialists. As the consistent print voice of the zoo, I was responsible for safeguarding the editorial quality and professionalism for which the organization is recognized. I enjoyed working with top scientists in their field and writing about many topics in the science realm.

And yes, I had some amazing animal adventures. Remember to ask me about the polar bear incident. There are photos!

As much as I enjoy writing, I also grok editing. I’m a one-stop-shop kind of a guy. Let me know if you want to collaborate.

In the meantime, check out my writing samples and fill your head with some of the trusty animal-themed cocktail party factoids I have relied on throughout the years.