Audubon Southwest and the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center are happy to welcome Genaro Ruiz, Center Director, to our staff.

Genaro brings an impressive 25+ years of government and non-profit experience to the Rio Salado Audubon Center. Before joining Audubon, Genaro was the Community Center Manager for Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., in Phoenix. Prior to that, he was the Community Center Director and District Community Center Manager for the Parks & Recreation Department of Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to working for various nonprofit organizations, Genaro worked for two elected officials: as the Senior Advisor for Community and Intergovernmental Affairs for Kansas City Mayor Sly James, and Community Affairs Liaison for Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II.

Genaro's favorite part of working for Audubon Southwest so far is the opportunity he has to work alongside a very cool set of individuals who work diligently to improve everyone’s quality of life by protecting the environment. When not directing the Center, he enjoys all the great hiking Arizona has to offer as well as spending time with his fiancée attending live music events and the local art scene.

His favorite bird?

"Hmmm… Growing up I loved the elegance and power of the eagle, but as I got older, my heart was captured by the hummingbird, with its beauty and grace.”

Genaro looks forward to meeting visitors at Rio Salado Audubon Center when it reopens. Stop in and say hello!