Barbara "Bobbie" Ibarra has been promoted to General Manager of Parrot Jungle and Gardens. Bobbie served as Director of Human Resources at Parrot Jungle and Gardens for the past 1-1/2 years.

In her new position, Bobbie will be responsible for the daily management and operations of the park. She will be involved in all aspects of the park as well as serving as government liaison for the upcoming Watson Island project.

"In the time Bobbie has been at Parrot Jungle and Gardens, she has earned the respect and admiration of the staff. She has demonstrated considerable management skills and brought a new level of energy and enthusiasm to the park," says Dr. Bern Levine, Parrot Jungle president, "I am confident that she will excel in her new role as general manager."

Prior to joining Parrot Jungle, Bobbie served as Vice President for Human Resources for Mayor’s Jewelers and Senior Vice President for Citibank. Before transitioning to the private sector, Bobbie spent over ten years in various local (city and county) and federal government positions.

Bobbie has a Bachelors in Social Welfare and a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology/Education from Temple University. She served on the Miami-Dade Community College Board of Trustees, appointed by Governor Chiles for 5 years. She is one of the co-chairs the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Performance Excellence Sub-Committee and is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. Bobbie also serves on the Search Committee for a new senior pastor for the Coral Gables Congregational Church. She has received numerous community awards, including the prestigious Coalition of Hispanic American Women (CHAW) Woman of the Year Award in 1992 and the Woman of Impact Award in 1994. She also served as a Co-Chair of the Volunteer Committee for the 1994 Presidential Summit of the America’s, Board member for the Zoological Society of Florida for six years and President of the Greater Miami Chapter of the YWCA.

Parrot Jungle and Gardens plans to break ground on the new Watson Island facility this fall. The Grand Opening is scheduled for late-2001. Meanwhile the park remains open at the same South Miami location.

The park is easily accessible, located minutes from Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, just 2-1/2 miles off U.S. 1 at 11000 SW 57th Avenue. The park opens every day at 9:30 a.m. For general park information, phone 305-666-7834.