Board of Directors
PAT BREDEL
A retired veterinarian, whose wife is also a veterinarian and the Director of the HART Spay/Neuter Clinic, Pat is a Deep Creek Lake resident and an enthusiastic supporter of HART's efforts to build an animal adoption center and a clinic that can help the county's animals. With his expertise, Pat is an extremely valuable resource for HART and a devoted owner of his various adopted animals.
KEN BUSH
Ken and his wife and their two Golden Retrievers moved to Garret County in 2009, where they established a new business — Golden Key Property Management — named in honor of their beloved Golden Retrievers. He brings to the office of vice president his experience in construction and maintenance as the head of the Property Committee for St. Mark's Lutheran Church, where he supervises all capital projects.
KEN CARBONE
Ken is a software engineer with over 25 years of experience. Currently, he manages his own web consulting business and teaches computer science at Garrett College. Ken and his wife Judy are lifelong animal lovers, sharing their Garrett County home with three Corgies. Both Ken and his wife are volunteer HART transporters of rescued animals.
SHELDON DEARDEN
Retired from the Army Corp of Engineers and the proprietor of Whiteside, a construction consulting firm, Sheldon has over 50 years of experience in engineering and construction ranging from large military projects to single family homes and commercial buildings. Sheldon and his wife and their adopted Golden Retriever are full-time residents of Garrett County.
CANDY DEGIOVANNI
First president and co-founder of HART for Animals, Candy has been a veterinary technician, a rescue transporter, a coordinator, and an animal trainer. She continues her dedication to helping animals through her position on the HART Board of Directors and personally, through her adopted pets.
BEVERLY HAINES
An animal lover all her life, Beverly became a HART board member out of her desire to help the animals that have not had the same love and care as her pets, Dixie Rose and Emily Susanne. As a strong believer in spaying and neutering, as well as someone with strong ties to the local community, Beverly will be a real asset to HART as it enters one of its most active fundraising years.
SUSAN HERTZ
Susan Hertz retired from American University in 2005 and lives fulltime in Garrett County. She teaches dog obedience classes at Garrett College and is active with her Irish Wolfhound therapy dog visiting schools, hospitals and the library.
CASEY HOLBERT
As a local veterinarian at Pineview Veterinary Hospital, her passion for helping animals extends outside the work environment. She believes HART has given her a great opportunity to make a difference in the future of our local orphaned pet population.
MARY-KATHRYN (KITTY) LAUER
Recently retired to Garrett County, Kitty brings to the position of HART Treasurer a solid experience in finance and investment management. She most recently served as Dean of Finance and Administration at The Johns Hopkins University where she worked in various positions, all involving finance. She is also the proud owner of Sammie, a labradoodle.
MERCEDES PELLET
Currently HART's Development Director, Mercedes retired to Garrett County after the sale of her business. She became a Registered Veterinary Technician in order to help animals, which she is doing through her work with HART and with her own rescued animals.
MICHAEL PELLET
Currently the President of HART, Michael joined HART as Facilities Director and developed the specifications and preliminary design for the Adoption Center. A successful business owner and professional engineer, Michael retired to his Garrett County home of 15 years. He and his wife have three adopted dogs.
CAROLINE ROBISON
HART Co-founder, Rescue Coordinator, and currently Manager of the HART Spay/Neuter Clinic, Caroline has been the driving force behind the rescue and transport of over 600 animals per year since 2003. She brings to the Board her proven commitment to improve the lives of animals in Garrett County.
DEB SNYDER
Former President of Maryland Network for Animals, Inc. with over 30 years of experience in all facets of animal rescue and adoption, Deb has provided community services such as humane education programs as well as leading obedience classes and instructing owners in animal behavior modification methods.
NANCY SQUIRES
Presently CEO of The Squires Group, an IT consulting/professional services organization based in Annapolis, MD. While Nancy is passionate about her business, she is just as passionate about the proper treatment and well-being of ALL animals. Nancy is an avid supporter of HART for Animals and its rescue of unwanted or abused "domestic" animals, as well as the Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary, which rescues and cares for abandoned, sick or abused "wild" animals.
Michael Valach
Employed in the ski industry for over three decades and with extensive experience in fundraising, business operations, and event planning, Michael currently works for Wisp Resort as the director of Skier and Rider Services. He also volunteers as a member of the Deep Creek Winter Sports Team board,with Trout Unlimited, the American Red Cross Boy Scouts of America, Cawse Away K9 Cancer, and a number of WVU sports clubs.
