Staff & Bios

Meet some of the staff and managers of Best Friends.

Gregory Castle, Chief Executive Officer

Animal Care

Judah Battista, Director of Animal Care
Dr. Michael Dix, Clinic Medical Director
Dr. Franklin McMillan, Veterinarian, Director of Well Being Studies
Faith Maloney, Animal Care Consultant
Cindy Smith, Senior Manager
Michelle Besmehn, Dogtown Co-Manager
Michelle Logan, Dogtown Co-Manager
Michelle Warfle, Cat World Manager
Jen Reid, Horse Haven Manager
Carmen Smith, Wild Friends Manager
Jacqueline Johnson, Parrot Garden Manager
Kristi Littrell, Adoptions Manager

Sanctuary and Canyon Operations

John Sichta, Director of the Canyon
John Goodell, Utilities Manager
Nicholas Meyeres, Dining and Kitchen Manager
Arnie Bishop, Manager Aviation

Community Programs & Services

Holly Sizemore, Director of Community Programs & Services
Francis Battista, Advisor
Nicole Anderson Sharp, Senior Manager, Community Programs & Services
Dr. Sandy Byland, Manager of Humane Education
Elizabeth Oreck, National Manager for Puppy Mill Initiatives
Liz Finch, Senior Manager, Community Programs & Services
Jamie Lyn Rubin, Esq., New York City Programs Manager
Greta Palmer, National Events Manager
Jen Woodard, Los Angeles Programs Manager
Anna Gonce, Executive Director, No More Homeless Pets in Utah

Development

Rana Smith, Chief Development Officer
Melissa Steimer, Senior Director of Development
Terri Shoemaker, Direct Response Marketing Senior Manager
Teresa Bodem, Corporate/Donation Relations Senior Manager
Debbie McCullough, Planned Giving Manager

Support Services

Deborah Morrison, Chief Financial Officer
Holly Harris-Reid, Controller & Director of Support Services
Tyler West, Senior Manager
Wade Peatross, Technology Services Manager

Marketing and Communications

Julie Castle, Senior Director, Communications
Kate Schnepel, Creative Director
Vicki Kilmer, Director Research & Analytics
Elissa Jones, Media Director
Kelly Morton, Senior Manager, Marketing
John Polis, Senior Manager, Public Relations
Jon Dunn, Senior Manager Online Strategy

Volunteer & Visitor Engagement

Patty Hegwood, Director of Volunteer & Visitor Experience
Patti Atwater, Welcome Center Manager
Catherine Drinkard, Senior Manager for The Learning Experience
Kathi McDermott, Housekeeping/Lodging Manager
Cindy Helms, Sanctuary Volunteer Manager
Tracy Kelly, National Volunteer Department Manager