Bari Mears - PACC Leader (a.k.a. President and Founder)
After 26 years in the broadcast industry as a Senior Account Executive, Bari has now gone to the dogs! Replacing corporate duties with animal issues, she now presides over the new PACC911 as PACC leader! Her dreams of having a united pet community where animal organizations work together in harmony have come to fruition. Bari is the author of four publications including: The Bone Appetite Cookbook, Love Stories of Pets and their People, The Simply Delicious Cookbook and Ode To Those Who Stand On Four, stories in verse. These books were written and published to help raise money and awareness for homeless animals, and 100 % of the proceeds were donated to this cause. Bari also speaks on behalf of the animals to various groups statewide. Prior involvements within the animal community include the founding and presidency of the Pets 911 Auxiliary and Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare. Bari has been the recipient of several awards for her work in animal welfare. In 2006 she was named hero of the year by Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, at their fundraising gala.While they were not expected or necessary to engage her commitment, they are most cherished. In 2012, Bari was featured in Arizona Foothills Magazine's "Women Who Move The Valley".

Megan Ameche
Megan discovered her passion for animals at a young age when her family began taking in and caring for homeless dogs and cats. No matter where her family moved throughout the country, animals seemed to know they could find refuge at their home. Soon horses were added to the mix and Megan developed a special bond with her horse Lady. She strongly believes that every animal is entitled to a long and happy life, and is motivated to help PACC911 in its mission. Megan has found it very rewarding serving on the PACC911 Board of Directors, the Bowl-A-Rama committee, helping at many Adopt-A-Thons, and other fundraisers. Megan has a daughter, and two men in her life – Roo Roos (four-legged) and J.C. (two-legged).

Sabine Asser-King


Hillary Brose
Hillary Brose has been in active in the rescue community since 2001 when she founded For The Luv Of Dogz Rescue (which merged with Paw Placement in 2004) but she has been an avid dog lover since she was a child when she would bring strays in crisis. She has been an advocate for animal rescue by saving dogs from abusive and neglectful situations and by new hoping dogs from local pounds who otherwise would not have a second chance at life. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor for humans as a profession, and a dog rescuer by passion. She has appeared numerous times in the media to speak on behalf of animals and has received several awards for her work in rescue including the prestigious City of Scottsdale Community Hero award.

Beth Cochran - PR
Beth works in marketing and public relations, and previously reported for The Arizona Republic and Transit Transit News in New York City. She is a longtime lover of animals and has donated her time to nonprofit animal organizations, as well as animal awareness efforts. She is proud to serve on the PACC911 Board of Directors, and work with and learn from a passionate and knowledgeable team. She looks forward to helping advance the PACC911 mission and raise awareness for the organization and the many animals in need in our community through her writing, marketing and communications skills. She resides in Phoenix with her two roommates – Barkley and Murphy.

Jenny D'Amore
Jenny D'Amore has been rescuing animals for the past 15 years. Before founding Paw Placement in 2002, she studied the behavior of Rhesus Macaque monkeys at Cayo Santiago, a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico. There, she saw the plight of homeless animals in third-world country conditions and began an adoption program, flying homeless dogs from Puerto Rico to Vermont for safe placement. When she moved to Arizona, her rescue efforts continued and under her  direction, Paw Placement has grown into one of the most successful animal rescues in both the Phoenix and Flagstaff areas. Jenny and husband, Marc, share their home with three finicky felines - Crawford, Vera  and Peekaboo - and two dogs who are the loves of their lives  - a terrier-mix named Libby and Bruno, the most precious chihuahua this side of the Pecos. 

Cindy Gordon - Scratch n' Post (a.k.a. Secretary)
In addition to her position as Secretary, Cindy Gordon is the main liaison between PACC911 and all its partners, disseminating information for all events including fundraiser and adopt-a-thons. She is also Chairperson for the Franciscan Renewal events, on the Bowl-A-Rama committee and the Emergency Medical Fund committee. Cindy also serves as Secretary for Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare in addition to devoting her spare time to animals in need. Other community service includes assisting with adoptions at the Foothills Animal Rescue and socializing animals at the Animals Benefit Club Sanctuary.

Kristin Heldt O'Hare - Store Manager
Involved in the animal rescue community since 2002, Kristin is excited to bring her passion and enthusiasm for educating the public about animal welfare and adoption to the PACC911 Board. Kristin first became involved in animal welfare when she joined the Arizona Animal Welfare League as a volunteer. There she discovered a love for promoting adoptions and animal welfare awareness by helping with numerous adoption and information events, earning her Event Volunteer of the Year in 2005. In addition to volunteering with AAWL, Kristin has also assisted events for Healing Hearts Animal Rescue and Refuge, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, and Circle L Ranch. She has also been a PACC911 volunteer for the past few years and is honored to have been asked to join the Board of Directors and use her passion to help further the PACC911 mission. Kristin is proud to be the head of the Super Ranger program for PACC’s newest Humane Education program, Rocket’s Rangers, and is looking forward to continuing to assist with the Adopt-A-Thons held throughout the year. She also serves on the Bowl-A-Rama committee and has taken on the revitalization of the PACC911 Store. Kristin shares her home with the loves of her life, her husband Vinnie, and their four legged “fur kid”, Buddy Love, adopted from Animal Care & Control. 

Alicia Keltner - Webmaster
Alicia serves as PACC911's webmaster and designer, in-house baker, and general jack of all trades board member. She's been happy to serve on the Bowl-A-Rama fundraiser committee, the HOPE for the Animals awards luncheon committee, and assist with the planning and implementation of various other adoption events. Alicia moved to Arizona in 2004 where she found her niche with PACC911! Her background has been primarily in advertising and marketing, but she has dabbled in many different things, including landscaping design, sales and real estate. Alicia's paws-itively crazy about her many fur-kids: Jake (Jack Russell Terrier), Wrigley (Golden Retriever from RAGofAZ), and 6 adopted cats: Woobie, Moose, Peanut, Grimmy, Nala and Loki, oh, and a wonderful and understanding husband, Jim.

Chris Klein

Kathleen Kordecki
Chair of silent auctions for all fundraisers and raffles!


Caron Lorber

Sandy Mittendorf
Sandy is one of the founding board members for AZ Jack Russell Rescue, Inc. After ten years as a loose coalition of Jack Russell Terrier owners & breeders, AZJRR, Inc incorporated and received their 501c3 non profit status in 2002. She has served as secretary, webmaster, and treasurer, as well as kennel foster mom and adoption coordinator for over 250 JRTs during the past 5 years. She has also worked as secretary for the Tucson Zoological Society, PTA president, & served as Cub Scout den leader, BSA board member at both district and council levels, and served as Cub Day Camp director for 3 years for the Ft Lowell District BSA in Tucson, AZ. Sandy shares her home with her husband & best friend of 35 years, Gary, & works part time for an independent insurance agency in Mesa for the past 17 years. Her love for Jack Russell Terriers began in the summer of 1996 when her first little bundle of energy, Tinker, entered her home & her heart. Having survived the first year with a Jack, she excitedly welcomed her second, Mickey, & in 2000, Matilda (Mattie) joined the fun! Mattie is currently the "spokes dog" for M&I BANK commercials and branch grand openings in the valley. Sandy is very excited to be a part of PACC911's Board & is looking forward to helping with the many events they provide for the rescue community!

Cheri Moreno


Lou Murphy

"Top Dog" Eileen Proctor - Bowl-A-Rama Chair
PACC911 is proud to salute Eileen as the original architect and, to this day, chairs of both the annual Bowl-A-Rama for Animal Rescue and the Anthem Animal Extravaganza & Adoptathon. Eileen is often heard as "the voice of PACC911", rallying attendees and partners at adoptathons, fundraisers, and other special events. She has been recognized for her consistent work as an animal welfare advocate on many occassions but is most proud of being honored as the 2006 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Person of the Year for Community Involvement and the 2004 AAWL Pet Person of the Year. Epitomizing her mantra that "adoption is the best option", Eileen is the loving and proud Mom to four furkids: a charismatic Calico cat named Autumn (from AHS), a precocious Border Collie mix named Dizney (from MCACC), a 14 Karat Golden Retriever named Cassie (from RAGofAZ), and an adorable Aussie/Cattle Dog mix named Tracey (from AAWL). Find out more about the Top Dog at www.speaktopdogspeak.com.


Nina Scozzari - Treasurer (aka Bone Burier)
Nina has had a busy and varied career as both worldwide corporate marketing executive in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years, licensed massage therapy and bodywork instructor, licensed psychotherapist, and animal rescuer. Starting at an early age, Nina was a softie for all kinds of creatures in need, bringing them home to take care of – much to her parents’ dismay. Now retired, most of her spare time is spent caring for all creatures greyt and small. Nina is well known in the alternative medicine/healing profession for her work and workshops in animal healing and massage. She spent four years working with the Zoovival group, rescuing endangered species of reptiles and amphibians from the rainforests of Vietnam and Madagascar. Her new home (and her life) is currently run by two greyhounds and three kitties, as well as various transient creatures. Nina is Vice President for FastDogs-FastFriends Greyhound Adoption group, a member of which she’s been for the past eight years. She is well acquainted with being a member of a Board of Directors, having served on many Boards during the past 40 years. Nina is very excited about and honored to be a part of the dedicated PACC911 family.

Marcia Schafer
A creative maverick, PACC911 salutes Marcia as the engineer behind much of the graphics and marketing materials for the group. Never one to walk to beat of an ordinary drum, she’s an MBA business advisor who, while sharpening professionals to reach a new level, introduces clients to the unseen world of the paranormal, including the special communication that exists with animals, and brings all her originality to our board. An international speaker, award winning author and sought after intuitive, Schafer is founder of the inventive consulting firm Beyond Zebra. Currently, she has an animal advocacy division within her company where she is working to change society's perception of all living creatures so they will gain the international life rights and legal protection they deserve. Her goal is to have intuitive animal communicators become a common resource to bring about healthy adoptions and reduce shelter returns from behavioral issues. When she’s not with us, you can always find her at beyondzebra.com


Carla Simon
Carla has been involved with animal rescue for many years, in many locations.  Her husband’s career in the hotel industry has transferred them several times and afforded her the opportunity to donate, adopt, & volunteer in four states!  While creating and building a successful interior design business in New England & Virginia fulfilled her creative side, it was her love of animals that compelled Carla to devote her full attention to the animal advocacy world once she and her husband moved to AZ in 2006.  Volunteering for PACC 911 since that time, Carla was delighted and honored to be asked in 2011 to serve on its Board.  She hopes to make a true impact in educating the public about animal welfare and ultimately transforming the lives of homeless animals. Carla also volunteers for Foothills Animal Rescue in their thrift store. She shares her home with her wonderful husband, Ron, and her “biggest fans”: dogs Zachary, Gracie & Lola.

Tia Sylvis - Event & Volunteer Coordinator
Tia has been involved in rescuing Australian Cattle Dogs since January 2007. When she started she had 2 of her own, now she has 6. Each one has their own story. In the past she has done Foster, Events, Volunteer and Medical Coordinating. She joined PACC911 in February 2010 as Volunteer Coordinator. In April 2011, she took on the task as Event Coordinator as well. She knows she has some big shoes to fill taking over Val's job!

Deb White - Breaking the Chain Chair
Deb's duties at PACC911 include handling PACC911's PR and grants, leading the Breaking the Chain educational program, and being PACC911's top t-shirt seller! Debbie White is a true animal activist, who does something about the things she cares about! Deb started volunteering in animal shelters in 1989, and joined the volunteer staff of Animal Care and Control in 1997. In 2001, she signed on with Gabriel's Angels as a pet therapist with her adopted dog Luke. She also visits homeless children, volunteers in the Governor's Office of Constituent Services, and has began to help AZCats in their offices recently. Her talents and contributions to the animal rescue community are many. Deb started the "Breaking the Chain" contest, creating awareness to the suffering of thousands of dogs who live their lives on chains. By making children write a happy ending to a story only half written, children are made aware of this wrongdoing. Deb has also tackled the overpopulation problem of animals on Indian Reservations and had an article published in a national publication called Indian Country Today, in July 2005. Amongst her many other contributrions, she's an award winning writer whose work has appeared in the Arizona Republic, the East Valley Tribune, Psychology Today, Indian Country Today, Arizona Capitol Times, Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association, Bravehearts, the Latham Letter, and other publications, and authored the book NOBODY'S PETS. Deb's the proud owner of five rescued dogs.

PACC911 Support _____________________________________________________

Colleen Tomes, Grant Administrator
Colleen Tomes, PACC911’s Director of Grant Development, was previously the PETS 911 Director of Operations and was one of the founding employees instrumental in developing the national program. She brings to PACC911 over 17 years of education and combined experience in the areas of finance, human resources, and business management. She is excited to be able to use her past experience to assist PACC911. Colleen has been volunteering in her spare time for almost twenty years. Her volunteer work has included adoption events, fundraising, socializing animals, and fostering. Colleen considers her five-year old daughter, Kaile, an Australian Cattle Dog/terrier rescue, the best of the many blessings that she has received from volunteering.

Valerie Unger, Associate Board Member (Operations Coordinator 2008-2011)
Valerie began her career in animal care in 1999 as a volunteer at the Arizona Humane Society. Soon she became involved with other shelters in Maricopa County. When an opening for foster care coordinator came up in 2001, Valerie welcomed the opportunity to make an even bigger difference in the animal rescue community. During the 4 years that Valerie worked to save thousands of dogs/cats at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, she made numerous friends with local rescue groups. Then she became PACC911's Operations Coordinator. After 3 years with PACC, Valerie moved to Charlotte, NC to help the animals there. She will remain an Associate Board Member for PACC911 and will continue to further PACC911's efforts at fundraising for the EMF through grant writing.