Meet The Staff
 

Melissa Newton , President & CEO
AzCATs ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Advises the Board of Directors
  • Board Development
  • Marketing and Public Relations
  • Directs and Leads AzCATs In Accomplishment of its Mission
  • Represents AzCATs on Committees Within the Rescue Community Fund raising
  • Responsible for ongoing operations of AzCATs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Social Sales and Events Manager - Phoenix Zoo - 2004 - 2005
  • Senior Billing Analyst  - Primary Payment Systems - 2004
  • Event Planning, Volunteer Management, Administration, and Financial Development - YMCA - 2001 - 2003

EDUCATION

M.A. - Organizational Management - University of Phoenix - 2004
B.S. - Cum Laude - Recreation Management with National Certification in American Humanics (Nonprofit Management) - 2002
 
Kathy Daniels - Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Daniels  AzCATs ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Recruitment, recognition and retention of volunteers
  • Organization of clinic job assignments
  • Maintenance of volunteer component of database
  • Contribute to e-news and newsletter
  • Development of volunteer literature and forms
  • Volunteer Program development and maintenance


 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Volunteer Coordinator of AzCATs (May 2004-present)
  • Maricopa County Adult Probation Officer (1982-present)
  • Maricopa County Adult Probation Volunteer Program Manager (1995-2001)
  • Volunteer Program Developer/Manager, Hospice Del Sol (2001-2002)
EDUCATION

    Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, University of Texas-El Paso (1979)
    Graduate work in Education through Chapman College - Phoenix

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

    Lucia Causey Award for Excellence in Volunteer Management (2002)

 
Christi Benigni - Medical Inventory Manager

Christi BegnigniAzCATs ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Ordering and Delivering Medical Supplies
  • Mission Nip & Tip Clinic Growth and Operations
  • Guadalupe Spay and Neuter Project
  • Emergency Contact for Postoperative Care
  • Street Kitten Program


 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Veterinary Technician: Prestige Animal Clinic, 2000- Current
  • Veterinary Assistant: Heritage Animal Hospital, 1997-1999
EDUCATION

    Prerequisites for Veterinary Medicine - Arizona State University - Senior

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
  • 2004 Animal Balance Certification Award
  • 2002 Doris Day Animal Foundation Certificate of Appreciation
  • 2001 AzCATs Outstanding Work in Animal Rescue Award
  • 1999 Friends for Life Junior Volunteer of the Year Award
  • 1998 Friends for Life Junior C.A.R.E. Award
  • 1997 Friends for Life Junior Volunteer of the Year Award
 
Denise M. Stravia - Consultant to the Board

Denise Stravia  AzCATs ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Radio Show Host
  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Planning
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Curriculum Development Manager, Criminal Justice & Service Programs, University of Phoenix, 1994-current
  • Management Consultant: Stravia and Associates, 1997- current
  • Policy Unit Manager: AZ Department of Corrections, 1995-1997
  • Inspection/Evaluation Team Leader: AZ Department of Corrections, 1993-1995
  • Executive Consultant: Office of the Governor, 1992-1993
  • Management Analyst: AZ Department of Corrections, 1985-1992
  • Research and Statistical Analyst: AZ Department of Corrections, 1983-1985
EDUCATION

    MA, Organizational Management - University of Phoenix - 1995
    BA, English Liberal Arts - College of New Jersey - 1979

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
  • 2004 - Commendation, Arizona Correctional Industries
  • 1999 - QUEST Award, AZ Department of Corrections
  • 1997 - Spirit of Excellence Award, Office of the Governor
  • 1996 - Recognition Award - Office of the Governor
  • 1996 - Director' Unit Citation, AZ Department of Corrections
  • 1995 - Supervisor of the Year, AZ Department of Corrections
 

AzCATs Board of Directors, 2006

Stacey Candella

Tom Delgado, Vice Chair
Attorney, Central Arizona Project

Melissa Even, Attorney

Jo Anne Friedman-Burgess

Judy Harding, Treasurer
CPA

Kim McClure

Jenna Renshaw, DVM

Diane Thompson, Attorney, Apollo Group, Inc.

Jan J. Raven - Chair & Founder.
Jan Raven

  AzCATs ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Fundraising and Resource Development
  • Oversees Development, Management, and Implementation of Programs
  • Recommends the Annual Budget and Oversees Its Implementation
  • Newsletter Co-Editor
  • Database Conversion, Design, Entry

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Judicial:

  • Phoenix Municipal Court - Judge Pro Tem, 1993 - present
  • Tempe Municipal Court - Judge Pro Tem, 1995 - present
  • Maricopa County Superior Court - Commissioner, 1996 - June, 2000
  • Mesa City Court - Judge Pro Tem, 1995 - 1999
  • Glendale City Court - Judge Pro Tem, 1994 - 1998
Animal Rescue Experience:
  • Chair, Alliance for Companion Animals
  • Member, Executive Council, Animal Law Section
  • Arizona State Bar Association
Legal:
  • Member, State Bar of Arizona - 1988 to present
  • Member, State Bar of Michigan - 1983 to 1997
EDUCATION

    Juris Doctor, Cum Laude - Wayne State University, Detroit, MI - 1982
    Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude - Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI - 1975

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
  • Certification Award 2004 - Animal Balance, Parque Nacional Galapagos, and Mayor de Isabela, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
  • Pet Person of the Year 2002 - Arizona Animal Welfare League
  • Certificate of Appreciation 2002 - Alliance for Companion Animals
  • Resource Expertise Award 2002 - Wildhorse Ranch Rescue


 

Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is the Solution at the Source of the greatest reason for the cat overpopulation problem, free-roaming, primarily feral, cats.
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