He was once a powerful leader in the Nebraska legislature, and later, as director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, led an unprecedented period of park development and improvement. The state's flagship park was named in his honor. Yet, the most important contributions of one-time Omaha vice cop Eugene Mahoney may be his behind-the- scenes work as a fund-raiser and dealmaker. As director of the Nebraska Game and Parks commission and later as director of the charitable foundation of the Henry Doorly Zoo, Mahoney has raised millions of dollars for the two institutions. Mahoney's tireless attention to detail, his extraordinary people skills and his determined salesmanship turn ideas into reality. They include state projects such as the Kiewit Conference Center-State Office Building in downtown Omaha; new parks, such as Mahoney State Park and Platte River State Park, and new attractions for the Henry Doorly Zoo, including the Walter and Suzanne Scott Aquarium and Lee Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. Mahoney said his goal was to make state park facilities more family-friendly and available to both the rich and poor. Since his retirement from the commission in 1988, Mahoney has worked as the unpaid director of the Henry Doorly Zoo Foundation. Over the past 10 years, $65 million has been raised for zoo projects through the foundation.

He was once a powerful leader in the Nebraska legislature, and later, as director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, led an unprecedented period of park development and improvement. The state's flagship park was named in his honor. Yet, the most important contributions of one-time Omaha vice cop Eugene Mahoney may be his behind-the- scenes work as a fund-raiser and dealmaker. As director of the Nebraska Game and Parks commission and later as director of the charitable foundation of the Henry Doorly Zoo, Mahoney has raised millions of dollars for the two institutions. Mahoney's tireless attention to detail, his extraordinary people skills and his determined salesmanship turn ideas into reality. They include state projects such as the Kiewit Conference Center-State Office Building in downtown Omaha; new parks, such as Mahoney State Park and Platte River State Park, and new attractions for the Henry Doorly Zoo, including the Walter and Suzanne Scott Aquarium and Lee Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. Mahoney said his goal was to make state park facilities more family-friendly and available to both the rich and poor. Since his retirement from the commission in 1988, Mahoney has worked as the unpaid director of the Henry Doorly Zoo Foundation. Over the past 10 years, $65 million has been raised for zoo projects through the foundation.