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.

Susie Bell
Susie can't remember a time when she wasn't drawn to the soft brown eyes of any dog or cat that crossed her path. But to simply love animals wasn't enough: saving them and making a difference for many, instead of just her own, led her to become a co-founder of Benji's Buddies Animal Rescue. (Benji himself, rescued off the euthanasia list, is pictured). Joining the Board of Directors of PACC911 is an extension of that personal mission. Susie brings with her over 25 years experience in marketing and public relations. She has also done extensive fundraising for various organizations and previously served on the Board of Directors for a United Way agency in New Orleans for over six years. Of all the achievements Susie has had during her career and life, none have been as satisfying as those involving animals. Her four-legged family shares her heart, her home, and her couch...in Gilbert.

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
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 is one of the founders and directors of Paw Placement: A Helping Hand for Pets. Jenny has been rescuing cats and dogs within the network of animal rescue for fifteen years. While studying monkeys off the coast of Puerto Rico, Jenny was exposed to the plight of homeless animals in third-world country conditions. She first worked with Save a Sato, a Puerto Rico-based rescue, transporting animals from the Caribbean to Vermont for adoption. When Jenny moved to Arizona, she volunteered with various rescues before making the crazy decision to start her own. Jenny looks forward to aiding PACC911 through grant writing and fundraising. A strong believer that the animal rescue community should be a united force, Jenny wholeheartedly supports PACC911's mission. She shares her heart and her home with two dogs – Libby and Murphy – and three cats – Vera, Crawford and Peek-a-boo.

Debbie Goodsell, Treasurer
Debbie joins PACC911 as a Bowl-a-rama committee member and looks forward to working with them to help save the lives of homeless animals. Debbie left corporate America several years ago to pursue “self-employment” with a goal of working 20 or less hours per week and volunteering 20 to 40 hours per week. She is happy to have met her goal so quickly! Debbie is the founder and President of The Arizona Miniature Pinscher Society. AZ Minpins is a non-profit rescue dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of Minpins in Arizona. Debbie also volunteers with the Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, her daughter’s high school, and her “neighborhood association” as well as helping small business owners by creating flyers, brochures, portfolios, business cards and website (free of charge, of course). If she has any spare time you will find her painting; walls, furniture, canvas, it doesn’t matter what as long as it will sit still. Debbie is owned by four miniature pinschers, two beautiful daughters and a very understanding husband!

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.

Sandy Day
Sandy is honored to be on the Board of PACC911. She, her husband Tim, and their beloved pug, Lulu divide their time between AZ, WY and CA. When in Phoenix, Sandy is committed to supporting PACC911 activities and causes. PACC911’s mission reflects her own passion for helping the animals in our community. Sandy is also a volunteer with AZ Pug Rescue and serves on the Board of Animal Adoption Center in Jackson, WY.

Linda Francis
Linda is highly active in PACC911's marketing and PR. As a young girl, Linda Francis, made friends with animals. There are countless photos of Linda with ducks and pigs; on horseback; training dogs; rescuing cats...and a baby robin who had fallen from its nest. Though she probably should have been a veterinarian, Linda spent the majority of her career in the media, first as a copy writer for a local Phoenix radio station (Bari Mears worked there too), then as an account executive with CBS, and on to Metromedia Radio. After twelve years tenure with the advertising agency BBDO in New York, Linda spent time in Miami at NBC as the Director of Marketing. While living in California, Linda was instrumental, along with the 40 other volunteers at the Orange County Humane Society, to see major change in the way animals are cared for by the owner of the shelter.


Samantha Glauser
Samantha Glauser is thrilled to be on the Board of PACC911. She currently holds a corporate marketing position and volunteers in her spare time at Animals Benefit Club and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Sam is "owned" by a lab mix named Harmon (Best Friends rescue) and cats, Leo and Beastie. She enjoys her work with animals and looks forward to her increased involvement supporting local rescue groups.

Emily Kane
Emergency Medical Fund plan administrator and Director of the AZVMA (Arizona Veterinary Medical Association).

Alicia Keltner, Webmaster
Alicia serves as PACC911's webmaster, in-house baker, Bowl-A-Rama committee member, and PayPal coordinator. After 9 years as an advertising account executive, Alicia moved to Arizona where she found her niche with PACC911! When she's not working on the marketing for PACC, you'll find her handling the marketing activities and creating landscape design for CYC Landscaping. Alicia's paws-itively crazy about her many fur-kids: Jake (Jack Russell Terrier), Wrigley (Golden Retriever from RAGofAZ), and 6 adopted cats: Woobie, Ozzie, Moose, Peanut, Grimmy and Nala, oh, and a wonderful and understanding husband, Jim. Sometimes a few furry foster kids too!


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


Caron Lorber


Rachael Mangum
Rachael Mangum is an Arizona State University Senior, graduating in Nonprofit Leadership and Management in the Fall. She has volunteered with PACC at several adoption events, as well as, the Hope for the Animals Luncheon. She is extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. She is currently involved in the Bowl-A-Rama ‘08 Committee and hopes to be instrumental in raising awareness and bringing an enthusiasm to her newly appointed position. Passionate about animals since early childhood, Rachael aspires to someday begin schooling in Veterinary Medicine, combining this and her degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management to further her animal rescue efforts. She's recently engaged to fiancé, Whit, and is preparing for a December wedding. Rachael is the proud mama of a dwarf rabbit, Noodle, and rescue mutt, Molly.

Cheri Minauri
Founder of the nonprofit organization AJ's Best Friends, and Executive Director of the subsidiary Persian & Himalayan Rescue, Cheri Minauri has been involved with animal rescue since 1996. Having successfully launched three 501(c)3 nonprofit pet rescue organizations over the years for different groups, her efforts include establishing a land trust and procuring funds to create a cat sanctuary She's been featured in newspapers, radio and national magazines, incuding Cat Fancy. Through her own organization, she placed over 2,500 cats and small dogs in just the first four years and played matchmaker for hundreds of Persian beauties in her initial year of focusing on this breed. She is the placement of choice for other localshelter care groups not versed in the special needs of these sensitive animals.

Nancy Mitchell
Nancy is honored to be included with the very special members of PACC911. Working with the dedicated people of PACC in the capacity of a board member will allow for a continued commitment toward the benefit of animals everywhere. She has worked in city government for many years as an analyst, which feeds the intellect, but spending time with her dogs is what feeds her soul. It is her passion to find homes for animals in need. However, she believes it is more important to educate potential pet owners that there is a long-term commitment involved with any animal taken into a home.

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!


Joey Penniston
Joey is the founder/director of AZ Cocker Rescue, a local rescue group that rescues dogs from all over Arizona and the Southwest. AZ Cocker Rescue's focus is primarily to rescue cocker spaniels in need but usually there are many other breeds & mixes in rescue at any given time as the word no is not in their vocabulary. AZCR is a very small group that was inspired by Rylie, Joey's rescue cocker, who she adopted in 1994 & who has brought her many years of joy! AZCR is her way to give back as a big thank you to all the love he has given her in the past 12 years & give other loving dogs the same opportunity he has had to be spoiled rotten! In her full time job, Joey is a Realtor® at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage where she has partnered with her Mom, Dorothy for the past 12 years helping to sell real estate all over the valley. She finds herself very fortunate & has had much success in real estate and shares it by donating a large portion of each of her commissions to animal rescue. Joey's profession is finding homes for her clients while as a passion, she finds homes for dogs in need!


"Top Dog" Eileen Proctor
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
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

Carrie Singer
For almost a decade, Carrie has relied on her creative talents to save animals through networking. From fundraising, food and bedding donation drives and coordinating rescues and transports, to assisting low-income individuals with veterinary bills, she has shown her commitment to the welfare of animals. In 2007, Carrie's ability to successfully assist animals in need really began to gain momentum. By the end of 2007, she knew an even greater commitment to the welfare of animals and the people who love them was necessary. So Carrie made the life changing decision and left her corporate career in marketing, advertising and graphic design to turn her dream into a full-time reality by forming the Animal Guardian Network. With such an incredible network in place, strengthened by her recent acceptance as a PACC911 board member, Carrie looks forward to working together to make even more of a difference. Though Carrie shares her heart with many, she shares her home in Scottsdale, AZ with her canine pack of six: Pooh Bear, Phoebe, Zoe, Sophie, Moxie and Henry.

Barb Steele
Barb Steele, PACC911's former Vice President of Field Operations, oversees all our adoption events and continues to help with adoptathons and will be instrumental in training our field ops person. She has been on the PACC911 Board for 3 years and has volunteered at many adopt-a-thons. She has also worked for the Ouray County Humane Society in Colorado. Her background is in retail management, theater and photography. She is the proud mom of "Rocket" a winner of a 2006 Hero Award as the most amazing survivor of animal neglect in that year! Her rescue animals have contributed love, lessons and great fun to her life which is why she wants to make our adoption events reach as many potential adopters as possible.

Colleen Tomes
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.

Deanne Umpleby
Deanne is PACC911's Chairperson for the Scottsdale Youth & Fine Arts Festival. Additionally, she is of the 4 founders of FastDogs-FastFriends Greyhound Adoption, and currently Events Coordinator for the group. At this time have Deanne has 3 pooches, 2 greyhounds and 1 little mix . She's been a foster mom for many Greyhounds (wonderful dog to have many of) and her daytime $paying job is Patient Account Administrator for Arizona Sports Physical Therapy.

Valerie Unger

Deb White
Deb's duties at PACC 911 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.