The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has named Dan Ashe as its next president and CEO, effective January 2017.

As the new head of the AZA, Ashe will handle day-to-day operations of the Association, working with the board of directors to conduct and promote all programmes and initiatives under the AZA banner.

Currently director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ashe will succeed Jim Maddy, who retired earlier this year.

Named the 16th USFWS director by the US Senate in June 2011, Ashe has led the agency through a number of challenges. Spanning the course of 13 years, Ashe held roles of increasing responsibility within USFWS, including assistant director for external affairs, chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System, science advisor to the director, and deputy director.

“The AZA Search Committee has worked to identify and meet with an impressive slate of national candidates,” said Vik Dewan, chair of the AZA Executive Search Committee and President and CEO of Philadelphia Zoo.

“For more than 20 years, Ashe has been working within and leading the USFWS, an important conservation partner of AZA, its members, and those committed to protecting the natural world. We are delighted he will be leading AZA as our next president and CEO.”

“Hiring someone who understands that zoos and aquariums are centres of conservation was very important to us,” said Steve Burns, AZA board chair and director of Zoo Boise. “His passion and dedication to wildlife are admirable and I know we all look forward to working with him.”