Contact a specific program
or department of Best Friends.

Staff & Bios

Meet some of the staff and managers of Best Friends.

Animal Care

Patty Hegwood, Director of Animal Care
Dr. Michael Dix, Clinic Medical Director
Dr. Patti Iampietro, Veterinarian
Dr. Tara Timpson, Veterinarian
Dr. Debra Nicholson, Veterinarian
Dr. Franklin McMillan, Veterinarian
Susan Kesling, Clinic Manager
Jeff Popowich, Animal Care Operations Manager
Steve Scheurich, Animal Operations Manager for Parrot Garden and the Bunny House
Michelle Besmehn, Dogtown Manager
Jen Reid, Horse Haven Manager
Bobbie Foster, Cat World Manager
Debby Widolf, Bunny House Manager
Yvonne McIntosh, Piggy Paradise Manager
Sherry Woodard, Animal Behavior and Training Manager
Ann Allums, Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Pat Whitacre, Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Danielle Aymar, Adoptions Manager
Kalene Craddock, Volunteer Manager
Carmen Smith, Wild Friends Manager

Sanctuary and Canyon Operations

Glen Reid, Director of the Canyon
James Quinby, Landscaping Manager
Ross Hartill, Maintenance Manager
John Goodell, Utilities Manager
Kathi McDermott, Welcome Center/Lodging Manager
Nicholas Meyeres, Dining and Kitchen Manager

Community Programs and Services

Julie Castle, Director of Community Programs and Services
Anna Gonce, Associate Director of Community Programs and Services
Judah Battista, Associate Director of Community Programs and Services
Sandy Passmore, Manager of Humane Education
Elizabeth Oreck, L.A. Programs Manager
Tiffani Hill, Volunteers Manager
Liz Finch, Animal Help Manager
Denise LeBeau, Network Content Manager
Nicole Anderson Sharp, Campaigns Manager
Richard Crook, Rapid Response Manager

Development

Aileen Walden, Senior Manager of Stewardship and Donor Relations
Debbie McCullough, Grants Manager
Vicki Kilmer-Rinker, Cause Marketing Manager
Melissa Steimer, Capital Campaigns Manager
Tamara Berry, Planned Giving Manager
Elissa Jones, Managing Producer of Special Projects
Carragh Glover, Membership Relations Manager

Support Services

Marsha Tupper, Human Resources Manager
Wade Peatross, Information Technology Manager
Mike Lindley, Information Services Manager
Holly Harris Reid, Director of Finance and Administration

Communications and Media

John Polis, Public Relations Manager
Barbara Williamson, Media Relations Manager
Carla Davis, Editor, Best Friends magazine
Shelley Thayer, Circulation Manager
Eric Evans, Creative Director