Board of Directors
We have a heart for Animals and a head for Business.
Mark Denniston
badger5301@netins.net
President
Profession: Retired, Former Jones County Sheriff
Mark has 33 years experience in law enforcement in Jones County (15 as Jones County Sheriff) and has always been a big AWF supporter. When contacted by the AWF co-founders back in 2003, he was very pleased to support the group since there had never been anything in place in the county to help the stray dogs. Early in his career as sheriff, Mark was responsible for helping draft the county ordinance regarding stray animals. Whenever AWF has asked for his help or an opinion in an animal-related issue, he always did his best to help or offer guidance within the law. With this experience and his support of AWF, we couldn’t be more pleased than to have Mark as President of AWF!
Mark is pictured here with his wife Doris and their dog Clyde.
Kelly Day
kelly.day63@gmail.com
Vice President
Profession: Office Coordinator, Home Care Dept., Mercy Hospital, Iowa City
Kelly began volunteering for AWF in June 2007 because of her love for cats. Her family includes four cats—Kaiko, Lizze, Ozzy and former AWF cat Phantom. Also pictured with Kelly is her Mastiff Arnold who is now waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge.
She joined AWF's board because she was hearing complaints from some volunteers. “Having been in management, I dislike when people always complain, but don't offer solutions,” says Kelly. “I thought that I could work towards a solution instead of just sitting back and listening to volunteer complaints.” Kelly has written policies and procedures and reviewed regulatory requirements in her professional life. She believes this experience will be helpful in setting AWF policies and procedures so that everyone has a reference and is on the same page. She welcomes comments and suggestions from volunteers.
Linda Reicks
lindareicks@carlsoncollege.com
Secretary
Profession: Instructor, Carlson College of Massage Therapy
Linda began her association with AWF in 2010 by helping transport dogs to 'no kill' shelters and by stepping in and acting as Secretary to the Board in a temporary position. She is now serving that position on a permanent basis. Linda says, "Animals have been in my life since a youngster. I love the unconditional love they offer and I want to return it to them." Linda recently lost her beloved cat Barbra (pictured). Linda is a licensed Massage Therapist and an Instructor at Carlson College of Massage Therapy.
Candy Roberg
robergcandy@hotmail.com
Board Member
Profession: Reprographics Coordinator,
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Candy began volunteering for AWF in 2004 after AWF reached out to the community for volunteers. Candy has been AWFs top fundraiser for most of those years. Her efforts include the annual summer bake sales at the Anamosa Walmart, selling left over baked goods at work, and Tupperware parties.
Candy is pictured here with her dog Bailey. Candy also has numerous outdoor cats on her farm.
Annie Locher
Litterboxx454@yahoo.com
Board Member
Profession:
Ruth Carlson
channie33@aol.com
Board Member
Profession: Retired Business Owner
Ruth is a long-time business owner in Jones County. She entered into the massage therapy profession in 1965 and founded Carlson College of Massage Therapy in 1984. The school has attracted students from 42 states and four countries. She retired in the fall of 2008. ”I feel blessed to have been in a profession that lends itself to be of service to others. Now I want to be of service to my animal friends.” Ruth returned to AWF’s board to play a significant role in turning the community’s desire and vision for a shelter into a reality. She has recently accomplished step one of that role by assisting with the hunt for land for AWF to purchase!
Ruth shares her heart and home with two Schnauzers (pictured), sisters Chance and Believe. “They are the true joy in my life. My life revolves around them.”
Other Key Roles (Non-Board Positions)
Gretchen Chamberlain
glchamberlain@live.com
Treasurer
Profession: Bank Examiner, Iowa Division of Banking
Although she's no longer a board member, Gretchen remains AWFs Treasurer. In addition to Treasurer duties, Gretchen manages AWF’s spay/neuter program for the pets of low income families and supervises the group’s PetSmart appearances. She also steps up to the plate whenever there’s a need, from transporting dogs to processing adoption applications to helping at fundraising events.
Gretchen started volunteering for AWF in October 2003 and fostered her first AWF dog in January 2004. Besides saving cats and dogs, her favorite part of AWF is working with such a dedicated, professional, and hard-working volunteer base.
She is dog mom to Ringo and Scooter, former rescue dogs.
Carrie Hoover
hoovers@mchsi.com
Webmaster
Profession: Engineering Project Specialist,
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Although, Carrie is no longer a board member, she continues to be AWFs Webmaster. Carrie began volunteering for AWF in 2005 after needing help with a stray and being told about AWF from a co-worker who volunteered for AWF. Carrie maintains the AWF website and helps manage other media sites like Petfinder and Facebook. Carrie says that volunteering for AWF gives her great pleasure knowing that as a group we’re striving above failures of pet’s owners to help make the rest of those pets lives the best they can be.
Carrie's family includes her husband Tracy and their furry kids; Bailey (now at Rainbow Bridge), Daphne (former AWF dog), and Ozzy. Bailey and Ozzy were adopted from the Cedar Rapids Animal Shelter.