Board & Staff Members
Staff
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Caity Friedersdorf I oversee, supervise and maintain efficient operation of the Brown County Humane Society’s Animal Shelter (at least that is what my job description says!). I will celebrate my 7-year anniversary with BCHS in March. As a young’un, I always felt called to work with animals. I thought maybe I would be a vet, or animal control officer (like the ones I saw on Animal Cops on Animal Planet). Early in my high school years, I felt my need to help others would land me in social services of sorts. I feel like our work at the humane society allows me to embrace both worlds. Not only are we here to serve the animals who need us, but to serve the humans who love those animals as well. Most of my spare time is spent with my husband, toddler daughter and our fur kids, a cat, Jonah, a senior paint horse, Bonnie and the most recent addition, an unnamed donkey. Occasionally I even find time to go line dancing or catch up on the Mandalorian with my husband. |
Megan Gushwa My role at BCHS is a little bit of everything. My main duties are carrying out the marketing efforts of the organization including our newsletters, media relations and social media. I also coordinate the over 100 volunteers that dedicate their time to helping us do what we do. On occasion I also bug the animal care staff by “helping” out at the shelter. I have always had a great love for animals and have always wanted to work in animal welfare. When the opportunity for this position came open, I knew I had to jump on it. I love knowing that I am playing a part in helping animals find a home that will love them forever. When I’m not making a fool of myself on our Facebook Live videos, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading and being outside whenever possible. I share my home with one feisty cat who was “just supposed to be a foster”.
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Amber Bio Coming Soon! |
Valerie Describing my “area of focus” is not easy or a short response. We all do a little of everything around here. I love that every day has different priorities, and we all have to pitch in to ensure everything is completed. I have been a part of BCHS for 11 years. I enjoy coming to work in the early morning and being greeted by all the cats and dogs. They are always so happy to see us every day for their shelter, food and fun activities. My husband and I love our home and life in Brown County. We are always excited to share it with our two dogs, cat, horse, family and friends. |
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Becca
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Brian My responsibilities at the shelter allow me to tend to the needs of the dogs in our care – cleaning kennels, enrichment, feeding and adoption counseling among other things. I’ve been with BCHS for 10 years. What I like most about working here is the people I work with. From board members to volunteers and staff, we are all aiming to achieve a common goal. I also enjoy spending time and working with the critters at the shelter. I have a solid belief that there is a home out there for each and every animal. I am married to my wonderful wife and my only child is a Beagle mix named Francy. I like to spend my time off playing golf, riding my motorcycle or just enjoying most outdoor activities. |
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Jacqui
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Judy My role at BCHS is to make sure our kitties have a safe place and are well taken care of. I also help with dogs when needed as it is a team effort around here! Every day brings new animals coming in and getting adopted out and I love being a part of the process. I have been with BCHS for just about a year now. My favorite part of working here is the team I work with. They are amazing! Everyone is hard-working and care so much for every animal that we get the opportunity to help. My husband and I have 8 kids plus horses, dogs and cats so our lives revolve around all of them. We all enjoy camping, hiking and doing all the things outdoors. My husband and I are looking forward to our next phase as grandparents! |
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Kiersten I just started with BCHS in August of this year. I spend most of my time with the cats. I also pitch in with anything else that I needed around the shelter. And, I cannot wait to continue learning more as time goes. So far, my favorite part of working here is seeing the joy on people’s faces when they adopt a pet and knowing I helped make that happen! I live in Columbus with my family and our two cats. I attended Butler University where I studied communications and marketing. I love to travel, read and spend time with all the animals. |
Kylie
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SPOT Coordinator: Patty G.
Board of Directors
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Sue Ann Werling I was a small business owner for 25 years. Since retiring from a successful career, I have concentrated my full-time efforts in Animal Welfare. I have served eleven years on the Board of Directors, with eight of those as President. I have served on several committees within many areas of the shelter. I lead a successful Spay/Neuter program that is responsible for reducing our intake by 50%+ during the past ten years. In addition, my passion is for fostering for the organization and I have adopted out hundreds of puppies, kittens, and other adult dogs that needed special care. I am married to the love of my life, Evan. We both share the passion of animals and improving their lives. Evan and I continued our passion by establishing an endowment at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to provide funding for research and treatment for animals and humans with cancer.
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Greg Bennett I have been around and run manufacturing plants all of my career. I have a chemistry degree along with an MBA and a Masters in Organizational Effectiveness. I am fortunate to have my current position with Clifbar as the company truly believes in protecting the environment, maintaining health by using organic ingredients, valuing their people, community service, and trying to assure that the world’s farmers are treated with respect. I became involved with the Brown County Humane Society back in the early 80s. We had some very dedicated leadership in those days – like Ruby Plummer and Fran Fears. The shelter in those days was still on Cramer Road. I have served over the years as the Society’s President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The current leadership of the BCHS and local community has done wonders in supporting the new shelter. I am blessed that my mother is still alive at the age of 85. My wife Vicki and I have two adult sons, and 4 grandchildren. My hobbies focus on the out of doors and travel. I love to hit tennis balls, golf balls, bike, fish, snow ski, and play an occasional game of chess. |
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Jane Weatherford I first joined the board in 1982. It’s a family thing! My great uncle was involved early in the BCHS organization and my dad served as Treasurer for many years. My mom was also on the board. When I moved to the county in 1982 I immediately started volunteering for the shelter and have served in many capacities, from committee chairs to President. I had a wonderful career as a biologist at Eli Lilly and Company for 34 years but was so excited to retire so I could devote full time to my passion – animal welfare. I enjoy all aspects of the organization from fostering pets to raising money. I can’t imagine doing anything else in retirement! My husband, Scott, and I share our home with one dog and one cat and a variety of foster pets. He never knows what I might bring home! I enjoy spending time in nature and especially like to go on hikes with our dog. Wildlife watching is also a favorite activity and I have enjoyed several trips to Africa, the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica where the wildlife is amazing. |
Pam Clark My first interaction with BCHS was when we adopted Misty and Amelia as kittens in 2011. I first got started as a volunteer with BCHS after responding to a LinkedIn post seeking volunteers. That was in 2015, and since then I’ve had the opportunity to get more involved through events like the Barn Sale and Chocolate Walk. After receiving my BS in Accounting from IU-Bloomington, I got my CPA (now inactive) and worked for around 15 years in public and corporate accounting. Today, I work as a pre-sales consultant for Oracle, demonstrating financial systems to hospitals and healthcare organizations across the country. I live in Brown County with my husband, Tim, daughter, Serissa, and three cats, Misty, Amelia, and Koko. When I’m not working or volunteering for the shelter, I like to crochet, read, watch movies, and play games with my family. |
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Cheri Flanagan I got involved with BCHS through one of my friends that is on the SPOT team. She was always telling me how wonderful the humane society was so about a year ago when there was an opportunity to volunteer, I jumped and haven’t looked back. I’ve never been so proud to be a part of something as I am here at the shelter. I love every moment I spend volunteering and always go home with a smile. I spent over 20 years with the global manufacturing company Allegion as a curriculum designer and manager of the company’s American Institute of Architects continuing education program. It was a great career which provided many opportunities for me to continually learn and to experience new places. My husband Michael (he volunteers at the shelter too!) and I are retired. Our children are grown so the only “kids” in our house these days are our two rescue dogs and two cats. In addition to volunteering at the shelter, we volunteer at the Brown County Music Center and enjoy traveling as often as possible. I also love photography, painting, all sorts of crafts, fishing, reading and spending time with grandkids. |
Rebecca Meyer I started volunteering with BCHS shortly after moving to Brown County in 2002. I began working with our off-site adoption events and have continued to become more involved in the organization, joining the board in 2017. I have a BS in Forestry from Purdue University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Indiana University. I have worked at the Indiana Geological and Water Survey in Bloomington for the past 18 years as a Database Administrator/GIS Analyst. I live in Brown County with my two dogs, Jessie and Woody. I am an avid outdoors person, and enjoy backpacking, birdwatching and just about anything else that connects me with the natural world – most of all hiking with my dogs. I volunteer with the Canine Express Transport Project as well as the Indiana Transport Group. Whether it is a small puppy or kitten or a huge St. Bernard, I enjoy driving these special passengers and getting them to their new homes. I am also a RedRover responder, assisting with emergency sheltering for animals displaced by natural disasters and other crises. |
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Laura Wert Before returning to Indiana, one of my first calls was to find out how I could be a part of the Brown County Humane Society. After taking part in the Chocolate Walk, Dawg Gone Walk & Fiesta, Barn Sale for the past five years, I was honored to be asked to be part of the board. As a new 2024 board member, I am excited to be part of this wonderful organization. I previously volunteered for the BC Humane Society in the early 2000s and adopted my cat, LeRoy. After receiving my degree in Communications and Public Relations from Purdue, as well as an MPA from SPEA, Indiana University, my career path led me to Virginia. While there, I worked in the Public Relations/ Communications/Graphic Design industry in accounting. I was also a long-term active volunteer for a non-profit organization, King Street Cats. I currently live in Brown County and work in the Monroe County Clerk’s Office as the Chief Deputy and do freelance pet sits here in Brown County. My passion for animals has been realized since the day I could crawl, and I am thrilled to bring my enthusiasm and dedication to animal rescue to Brown County. I currently have three adorable cats (Easter, Bunny, Archie) and an indoor/outdoor creature (Tommie) along with backyard chickens (Bertha, Martha, Goldie). I am a world traveler, love to be creative, enjoy making jewelry and garden herbs. I am also a Brown County Tri Kappa member and an Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) & tick-borne illnesses awareness advocate. |
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