Adam Roberts Named CEO of Born Free USA

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Feb 03, 2014, 01:01 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Adam Roberts has been named CEO of Born Free USA today. The announcement was made by Will Travers, departing CEO of Born Free USA, and Prashant K. Khetan, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Travers will remain on the organization's Board of Directors and remain an active consultant.

According to Khetan, "It was a unanimous board decision to name Adam CEO, further enabling his strong leadership and depth of knowledge to benefit Born Free USA and the animals we serve. His determined and passionate voice in wildlife conservation and animal protection makes a huge difference and we know he will continue his mission – and that of the organization – to do everything in his power to keep wildlife in the wild."

Roberts has been Executive Vice President of Born Free USA since helping found the organization in 2002 to bring the UK-based Born Free Foundation's message of compassionate conservation to the American public. The Foundation was established in 1984 by Will Travers and his parents Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free. Over the past decade Roberts has elevated the strength, force and significance of Born Free USA to become a recognized and impactful leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation.

According to Travers, "Adam's contribution to Born Free has been above and beyond anything we could have imagined when we decided to launch Born Free USA – starting as a volunteer, then a one-man operation with a laptop, and now a powerhouse with impacts across America and throughout the world. He is a brilliant voice to create change when it matters most and I could not be more confident in his abilities and proud to name him CEO."

Roberts has over two decades of experience campaigning on international wildlife trade issues including the trade in elephant ivory, rhino horn, tiger bone, and bear gallbladders. He has campaigned to list the African lion as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and to stop the trade in primates as "pets."

In addition to his work at Born Free USA, he serves on the board of directors of the Species Survival Network where he chairs their press and financial committees, the bear working group, and the animals in captivity working group. SSN is dedicated to ensuring that the international wildlife trade does not cause overexploitation of animals and plants, and includes nearly 100 member organizations from more than 30 countries.

He is also a founding member of the board and current chairman of the board of Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing species-specific humane standards of care for animals held in animal sanctuaries, and accrediting facilities globally based on these standards.

In 2003, Roberts founded The $10 Club, a charity to fund poverty alleviation projects in developing countries. He runs the organization singlehandedly and as a volunteer. To date, the organization has supported work in more than 50 countries and has given out in excess of a quarter of a million dollars in grant awards. He began his animal protection career in Washington, DC in 1991 after graduating from Vassar College.

Roberts has written and presented over 50 articles for medical, legal, scientific, and advocacy organization publications around the world. He is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on issues concerning captive wild animals, compassionate conservation and the protection of animals. He is interviewed regularly by the international media about animal welfare and wildlife conservation issues.

He resides in Washington D.C. with his wife Stephanie, daughter Mia, two dogs and five cats.

Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic "pets," trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA's mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.

SOURCE Born Free USA