Operations Manager
Here’s a unified bio covering both roles:
Randy Grey – Operations Manager & Board Chair, Cat Tales Wildlife Center & Academy
Randy Grey is the operational backbone and governing voice of Cat Tales Wildlife Center & Academy, serving simultaneously as Operations Manager and Board Chair. Since joining the organization in April 2019, Randy has been instrumental in keeping the sanctuary running safely and efficiently while helping shape its long-term strategic direction at the Board level.
As Operations Manager, Randy oversees the full scope of facility and animal care infrastructure — from routine grounds maintenance and irrigation to snow and ice management through the Pacific Northwest’s demanding seasonal extremes. He is responsible for the upkeep and repair of aging exhibits, as well as the design and construction of new wildlife habitat enclosures built to USDA and state regulatory standards. His hands-on expertise ensures that Cat Tales’ animals are housed safely and comfortably, and that the facility presents a professional, welcoming environment for guests and staff year-round.
Randy also plays a key role in workforce development, mentoring students and interns enrolled in Cat Tales’ Zookeeping & Wildlife Management Certification Program in the practical skills of grounds and exhibit maintenance, tool operation, and preventative care — knowledge that is essential to any professional animal care career.
As Board Chair, Randy brings that same operational depth to Cat Tales’ governance, ensuring that Board decisions are grounded in the day-to-day realities of running a working sanctuary and accredited vocational trade school. He provides strategic oversight across the organization’s governance structure and serves on multiple Board committees, including the Relocation Feasibility Committee, where his background in habitat design, facilities planning, and regulatory construction standards makes him an essential voice in evaluating the organization’s long-term infrastructure needs.
Prior to Cat Tales, Randy managed warehouse and sales operations for Stern Produce Company, where he oversaw quality control, coordinated regional operations, and managed daily multi-route delivery logistics. His professional background also includes extensive experience in construction, painting, and masonry — leading project teams across a wide range of builds from small-scale repairs to large custom homes.
Randy’s rare combination of boots-on-the-ground expertise and boardroom leadership reflects his deep commitment to Cat Tales’ mission: providing exceptional lifetime care to non-releasable wildlife while training the next generation of professional zookeepers and wildlife managers.