Caroline -  Rescue Coordinator and Clinic Office Manager

With a B.S. in Equine Education, Caroline Robison has worked over the past 25 years in every aspect of animal care and welfare: She has been a veterinary technician, animal control officer, shelter manager and volunteer, and dedicated activist. As HART’s Rescue Coordinator, a role she took on in 2003, Caroline works on a volunteer basis to evaluate the shelter animals, arrange the documentation for their rescue, and coordinate the transport that will give adoptable animals a chance at a better life. In 2009, Caroline became HART’s first paid staff member managing the Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Holly - Assistant Clinic Manager

Although Holly had no previous experience in a veterinary clinic, she began working as a trainee in May 2011, and in a brief time became indispensable to the doctors as well as the clinic administration. She is currently taking courses to prepare her for a larger role when the clinic moves to the adoption center in mid-2012. Holly became the third employee at the HART clinic and is the voice of HART when clients, volunteers and supporters visit the clinic on Mondays.

CLINIC VOLUNTEERS

The clinic staff is supplemented by volunteers that give their time and effort to the clinic on a regular basis. The clinic could not function without the commitment of the following volunteers.

Drs. Sue and Pat  - Dr. Sue is the clinic director, assisted by her husband Dr. Pat. After retiring to Garrett County from their veterinary hospital in Pittsburgh, the doctors wanted to contribute to the community that became their home. Luckily for HART, they provide their services pro bono to the clinic so that clients can afford the surgeries for their pets.

Betsy - Betsy has been a dedicated volunteer since the clinic opened in December 2009. Her commitment to animals is not only expressed through her loving care of animals in recovery. She is a primary foster mother for many of HART's animals and, thanks to her excellent care, many an animal has made the transition from poor condition to good health and, ultimately, to a loving adoptive home.

Cathy - Cathy joined HART in the early part of 2010 and has single-handedly become the voice of HART and the comforting and efficient presence at the front desk on most surgery days. Her excellent advice and great sense of organization have converted her in the volunteer that HART absolutely cannot do without.

Judy - The heavens were smiling upon HART when Judy joined the volunteer staff on surgery days. Judy assists at intake, patient pick up, and takes Cathy's place at the front desk and on the phone on her scheduled days. As if that were not enough, Judy is an excellent cook and baker whose goodies are as valued as much as her presence.

Guy - Guy joined HART as a volunteer at the end of 2010 and has, since that time, become the recovery volunteer, assisting animals after surgery and ensuring their successful transition from anesthesia to recovery. His gentleness and care have eased the painful awakening of many patients.

Norm - Norm is an EMT by profession who retired to Garrett County - a happy event for HART. He assists the surgeon in monitoring patients under anesthesia and brings his 'can do' attitude to many of the situations encountered at the clinic.

Charlie - Charlie is a physician and surgeon for humans and, in his retirement, is giving his knowledge and expertise so that animals may be spayed and neutered, thus avoiding the loss of life that results from too many litters. Charlie readies the pre-operation medications with a sure hand and a good eye.

Hazel - Hazel is the voice of HART on Fridays, a non-surgery day. Hazel spends most of her day on the phone reminding our clients about their coming appointments and scheduling new appointments. She also checks on the surgeries of the previous day to make sure that patients are recovering as expected.

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.

CHRISTOPHER GAROSI
Currently the principal of his business consulting firm, Chris brings his financial, business management, and investment acumen to HART along with his lifelong love for animals. In addition, as a University of Maryland Smith School MBA, he brings a network of business-minded connections to the Board. Chris and his wife share their lives with an adopted dog and cats.

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 therapy dogs visiting schools, hospitals and the library.

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, 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.

The Advisory Board serves as expert counsel to the Executive Committe and the Board of Directors on areas which are beyond their personal and professional expertise.

Sue Bredel, DVM
Area of Expertise: Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Clinic Management
Dr. Sue was in private practice for 25 years, 16 of which were spent at Pleasant Hills Pet Hospital in Pittsburgh, owned by her and her husband Pat. Drs. Sue and Pat and their 4-legged adopted family moved to the Deep Creek area permanently in 2002. Although nominally retired, Dr. Sue continues to stay in practice by doing some local relief work. With her in-depth knowledge of veterinary medicine, animal behavior, and business operation, Dr. Sue is a valuable resource to HART as it creates the operational plans for the Animal Adoption Center. Happily for HART, Dr. Sue is the Director of the HART Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Deb Clatterbuck
Area of Expertise: Tourism / Marketing Specialist, Dog and Horse Trainer
A native of Garrett County, Deb has worked in the Tourism/Recreation Industry for 34 years in various capacities, including as successful grant-writer for Garrett County which secured funding for various tourism and recreational projects. As a dedicated animal volunteer, she has worked closely with all the County's animal groups, providing her expertise in horse and dog training as well as her time to assist in animal rescue and fostering. Deb's dedication to animals has resulted in pets ranging from raccoons and squirrels to ducks and horses.

Linda Griffith
Area of Expertise: Animal Rescue, Cats, Science
Linda is a full time professor of chemistry and physics at Garrett College. She is also a full time Mom to her two daughters and their ten rescued cats and two crazy large dogs. She has a love of all animals and is especially interested in helping feral cats. Linda is a strong supporter of HART’s rescue and transport program and is a frequent transporter of animals to regional rescue groups.

Sherry Grudi, RVT
Area of Expertise: Veterinary Technology, Horses, Veterinary Technician Education
Sherry is Vice President of the West Virginia Association for Veterinary Technicians, Student Chapter Advisor for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Instructor/Lab Manager for the Veterinary Technology Program at Pierpont Community and Technical College. She is an avid horse person and former trainer of Standard-bred racing horses. As a teacher, she enjoys the opportunity of educating a group of young people that share her love and compassion for animals.

Michael Howson
Area of Expertise: Corporate Law, Business Operation, Management
Michael is currently Assistant General Counsel of AOL, Inc. Before joining AOL, Michael was VP of Operations at M2 Enterprises, where he worked daily on the challenges of team-building and operational flow. Michael brings to the Advisory Board both legal and business experience. The animal world has two representatives in the Howson household: dachshunds Ben and Jerry.

Heather Salley
Area of Expertise: Marketing, Non-Profit Branding, Design and Art Direction
As a talented designer and creator, Heather has been professionally involved in every aspect of marketing, including print and online marketing campaigns, development of strategic marketing goals, corporate communication & messaging, brand identity design, art direction, project management, and vendor relationship management. She has been the creator and guiding hand of the HART web page, marketing materials, and brand development. In the two years since HART began its capital campaign, Heather has been the Pro Bono advisor at every stage. As an adopter of a rescue dog, she brings a unique perspective to the cause.

Bonnie Zimmerman
Area of Expertise: Shelter Management, Local Government
As Shelter Manager at the Garrett County Animal Shelter for many years, Bonnie is closer than most to the problem and consequences of animal overpopulation. She brings to the Advisory Board her experience as a business owner, as well as 27 years as coordinator and transportation director for Garrett County Community Action. For the past five years, Bonnie has been working closely with HART to help eliminate needless euthanasia of adoptable pets. Her own pets are a Sheltie and a cat.

Approved by the Board on 12/16/2009

Pursuant to the HART for Animals bylaws, the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the President. It shall consist of five members, none of whom shall be a candidate for office or a directorship that year. No more than three members of a Nominating Committee may serve on the Nominating Committee appointed for the following year. The duty of the Nominating Committee is to propose one or more candidates for the elective positions that have become vacant in that year.

Every year, HART will hold elections for five Board of Directors' positions (which are three-year terms). Biennially, it will hold elections for the positions of President (three-year term) and Vice President (two-year term). The President and Vice President may be elected for no more than two succeeding terms of office. In those years in which any of these officers up for election, the directorship held by the individual also will be included in the slate in addition to the five Director positions up for election in that year, unless the officer chooses to retain his or her position on the Board of Directors until the expiration of the term. Before the election any candidate(s) for the position of Treasurer should undergo a background check by the State of Maryland, Criminal Justice Information Systems, with the cost to be covered by HART, Inc. Ideally the President and Vice President should not be up for election in the same year.

The Nominating Committee shall attempt to put forward a slate of candidates who meet the following criteria as stated in the HART bylaws: interest in the future of Garrett Count; concern for the welfare of animals; knowledge of business, marketing, fundraising, or management; willingness to take a leading role in one HART event or activity; and possessing a community-minded approach to the different populations that make up Garrett County. The Nominating Committee chairperson shall inform candidates of the obligations of Board service at the time their nomination is received.

The Election Calendar and Process – At the second quarterly HART Board meeting, a Nominating Committee will be selected by the Board and the Office(s) and Directors up for election that year will be indicated.

Before the third quarterly meeting, the names of the Nominating Committee and the contact information of the chair of the committee will be posted on the HART Website along with the current Nominating Committee Rules of Procedure. A Call for Nominations will be given to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors at the third quarterly meeting. At the same time, as a courtesy, nominations also will be solicited by e-mail from the Friends of HART and the call for nominations will be posted on the HART Website.

Any person meeting the criteria stated above may (a) propose himself or herself to the Nominating Committee as a potential candidate, (b) be proposed by others active in the area of animal welfare in Garrett County, or (c) be approached by the Nominating Committee.

Those who respond to the Call for Nominations will be informed of the closing date for receipt of their materials. They must provide the Nominating Committee with a short biography/ curriculum vitae and an approximately 100-word statement indicating their reasons for wishing to become a director or officer of HART, and, if a candidate for Treasurer, a completed background check document. As these are received, they should be forwarded immediately to the other members of the Nominating Committee.

Nominations will close one month before the date of the fourth quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors. Within two weeks of that date, the Chair of the Nominating Committee will present via e-mail or mail the names and materials provided by the candidates to the Board of Directors, who will be informed of the availability of a proxy form. Members of the Board may request a proxy form from the HART President or Secretary, to be returned to either officer one week before the date of the fourth quarterly meeting.

At the fourth quarterly meeting of the calendar year and after the Chair of the Nominating Committee presents the committee’s recommendations re: vacant offices and directorships, the Board will vote on the nominations. Winning candidates must receive at least half the votes cast, including proxies. Should a run-off be required between two candidates, this will take place immediately following the initial vote at the fourth quarterly meeting.

The President will inform the candidates in writing of the acceptance or non-acceptance of their candidacy. Officers and directors whose terms are completed should transfer all HART records and files to the current President of HART within two weeks of the end of their term. Any temporary appointments to the Board of Directors made by the President between the quarterly meetings of the Board will be ratified by vote by e-mail or at the next quarterly meeting of the Board.