Contact a specific program
or department of Best Friends.

Staff & Bios

Meet some of the staff and managers of Best Friends.

Executive Staff

Paul Berry, CEO
Michael Mountain, President
John Christopher Fripp, CFO

Animal Care

Patty Hegwood, Director of Animal Care
Dr. Michael Dix, Clinic Medical Director
Dr. Patti Iampietro, Veterinarian
Dr. Tara Timpson, Veterinarian
Dr. Debora Nicholson, Veterinarian
Dr. Franklin McMillan, Veterinarian
Susan Kesling, Clinic Manager
Jeff Popowich, Animal Care Operations Manager
Michelle Besmehn and Ed Fritz, Dogtown Managers
Jen Reid, Horse Haven Manager
Bobbie Foster, Kittyville Manager
Suzanne Cordrey, Parrot Garden 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, Gardening/Landscaping Manager
Ross Hartill, Maintenance Manager
John Goodell, Utilities Manager
Kathi McDermott, Welcome Center/Lodging Manager
Nicholas Meyeres, Dining and Kitchen Manager
Brian Bernath, Safety and Security Manager

Community Programs and Services

Julie Castle, Director of Community Programs and Services
Anna Gonce, Associate Director of Community Programs and Services
Jill Simpson, Humane Education Manager
Francis Battista, L.A. Programs Manager
Tiffani Hill, Volunteer Manager
Liz Finch, Animal Help Manager
Nicole Anderson Sharp, Campaigns Manager
Beth Mersten, No More Homeless Pets Outreach
Richard Crook, Rapid Response Manager

Development

Aileen Walden, Associate Director of Development
Debbie McCullough, Grants Manager
Vicki Kilmer-Rinker, Cause Marketing Manager
Tamara Berry, Planned Giving Manager
Elissa Jones, Guardian Angel Program Manager
Carragh Glover, Membership Relations Manager

Support Services

Rick Shannon, Human Resources Director
Wade Peatross, Information Technology Manager
Mike Lindley, Information Services Manager
Lupe Rodarte, Web Development Manager
Holly Harris Reid, Deputy Controller

Communications and Media

John Polis, Public Relations Manager
Barbara Williamson, Media Relations Manager
Laurel Anderson, Executive Producer
Carla Davis, Editorial Director, Best Friends Magazine