The Tennessee Animal Resource Center Bios
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Executive Committee & Founding Board Members
Mary Ruth Rogers, President
Mary Ruth Rogers is a life long Columbia resident and dedicated animal lover. A real estate agent since
1985, Mary Ruth has built a successful career in commercial and residential real estate in the Maury County
community and became a real estate broker in 1990. She currently works with White Woodard Realty in
Columbia, TN. Mary Ruth is an active member of the Maury County community, holding positions as
President and then Director of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities and current
member of the James K. Polk Association.
Well known for her love of all animals, Mary Ruth has dedicated more than 10 years to operation of Off the
Track Thoroughbreds, where she continues tireless efforts to rescue retired race horses. Her dedication to
the companion animal welfare cause began as a committed Board Member of The Maury County Animal
Shelter Association. As Board President – Mary Ruth was instrumental in gaining both city/county
commitments to build a much needed $1.2 million dollar Animal Shelter for the Maury County Community.
While working to establish the new shelter, Mary Ruth also founded and continues to run Russell Rescue, a
rescue and foster program dedicated primarily to Jack Russell Terriers for the past 4 years.
More recently, Mary Ruth has committed herself helping stop the pet overpopulation problem that makes
organizations like Russell Rescue necessary. Spay and Neuter is the primary message and mission of The
Tennessee Animal Resource Center – a combined brain child of Mary Ruth and founding board member,
The ARC is dedicated to helping communities throughout Tennessee establish and strengthen Spay and
Neuter programs for companion animals.
Dorothy Swann, Vice President
Dorothy Swann began her interest in animal welfare as a teenager in Florida. As time went on, her devotion
grew and she fostered and gave home to literally hundreds of cats and dogs. In 1985, Dorothy and a small
group of dedicated volunteers founded the Maury County Animal Shelter in Columbia, Tennessee. As a
Shelter Association Board Member, Dorothy had a major impact on the fledgling Shelter through her
commitment and success as a volunteer fundraiser for the first several years of the Shelter’s development.
Following her time with the Maury County Animal Shelter, Dorothy moved to Virginia where she again played
an active role as a volunteer in a “Catch and Release” spay/neuter organization. The organization caught and
sterilized ferrell cats in rural areas and then placed them on various farms throughout the region in an effort
to control the overpopulation problem.
Since returning to Tennessee, Dorothy is a very busy Real Estate Professional in Columbia, Tennessee and
continues to persevere in her commitment to companion animals. She is an active Board Member and
volunteer for Russell Rescue, Inc. - a foster/adoption program for Jack Russell Terrier’s (among other
breeds) in need of rescue. We are fortunate that her most recent commitment is taking on the role as
Founder and Vice President of The Tennessee Animal Resource Center. Dorothy’s experience, knowledge
and dedication to tackling the companion animal overpopulation problem will serve The ARC well as we work
to support and expand the animal welfare community efforts in Tennessee.
Elizabeth Queener, Treasurer
Elizabeth Queener is a staple in Middle Tennessee’s philanthropy and nonprofit circles. As the Director of
the Jack C. Massey Foundation for 15 + years where she acquired an abundance of the financial
management and administrion expertise working for one of Nashville’s Major philanthropies, as well as a
thorough understanding of the needs and processes of the Middle Tennessee’s nonprofit community. In
1995, Ms. Queener, in collaboration with a group of dedication philanthropists, went on to become one of the
Founding Trustees of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (which currently holds assets of $300
million in charitable funds and distributes over $30 million a year to Middle Tennessee Nonprofits). To add to
her list of credentials, she has held an officer position at the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation,
and has served on the Boards of some of Nashville’s most prestigious nonprofits including the Nashville
Symphony, the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee among others.
Ms. Queener has dedicated herself to supporting both of her passions; the environment with the creation of
Maury Heritage Land Trust currently managed by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation and her
love for animals is supported through the St. Francis Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle
Tennessee. An animal lover at heart she has opened up both her home in Nashville and her Family Farm in
Columbia as a sanctuary for rescued dogs, cats, horses as well as wild animals and fowl. Her experience
and dedication to the nonprofit community is an invaluable resource for The Tennessee Animal Resource
Center as we move forward to tackle some of Tennessee most pressing animal welfare issue.
Jill D. Moore, Secretary and Executive Director
Jill D. Moore is currently the start-up consultant and acting Executive Director for The Tennessee Animal
Resource Center, a resource organization dedicated to the empowering the Animal Welfare Community. Jill
began her career in nonprofits at Vanderbilt University where she gained a solid foundation in fundraising
and alumni relations. She expanded her experience working with major philanthropies during her tenure at
the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles for several years. After returning to Tennessee, Jill
chose to provide her nonprofit experience and expertise to a variety of organizations as a consultant. For the
past 9 years, Jill has been providing Middle Tennessee’s nonprofit community with consulting services in the
areas of marketing, fundraising, 501 (c ) (3) incorporation, strategic planning and grant writing. With over 17
years of fundraising, marketing and management experience working with both nonprofits and
philanthropies, Jill brings a wealth of experience to The ARC as the organization moves forward to provide
educational and consulting expertise for the Animal Welfare Community.
Vivienne James, Board Member
Vivienne James is a media professional in the Nashville Market with a background in Broadcast and Cable
Advertising Sales. Currently the Regional Account Executive for Comcast Spotlight, Vivienne is also a
dedicated animal lover and activist. Vivienne joined forces with Candace Simpson-Giles as co – Founders of
Critter Calvary and dedicates her time and love to finding foster homes and adoptive families for the dozen of
Critter Calvary rescues. As a Board member for The ARC, Vivienne has lead the way in the creation and
placement of The ARC’s statewide PSA campaign – Spay or Neuter Someone You Love launching in 2008
on Comcast Cable.
Candace Simpson-Giles, Board Member
Candace Simpson-Giles has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations and media sales in
the Nashville Market. A life long animal lover, she began rescuing in Middle Tennessee and is now one of
the Founders of Critter Calvary Rescue, a rescue and foster program which currently provides foster housing
and adoption placement for dozens of at risk companion animals throughout Middle Tennessee. Candace’s
dedication to the Tennessee’s pet overpopulation problem has brought her to The ARC as a primer expert
helping lead the effort to launch a statewide Spay and Neuter Public Awareness and PR campaign.
Mary Ruth Rogers, President
Mary Ruth Rogers is a life long Columbia resident and dedicated animal lover. A real estate agent since
1985, Mary Ruth has built a successful career in commercial and residential real estate in the Maury County
community and became a real estate broker in 1990. She currently works with White Woodard Realty in
Columbia, TN. Mary Ruth is an active member of the Maury County community, holding positions as
President and then Director of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities and current
member of the James K. Polk Association.
Well known for her love of all animals, Mary Ruth has dedicated more than 10 years to operation of Off the
Track Thoroughbreds, where she continues tireless efforts to rescue retired race horses. Her dedication to
the companion animal welfare cause began as a committed Board Member of The Maury County Animal
Shelter Association. As Board President – Mary Ruth was instrumental in gaining both city/county
commitments to build a much needed $1.2 million dollar Animal Shelter for the Maury County Community.
While working to establish the new shelter, Mary Ruth also founded and continues to run Russell Rescue, a
rescue and foster program dedicated primarily to Jack Russell Terriers for the past 4 years.
More recently, Mary Ruth has committed herself helping stop the pet overpopulation problem that makes
organizations like Russell Rescue necessary. Spay and Neuter is the primary message and mission of The
Tennessee Animal Resource Center – a combined brain child of Mary Ruth and founding board member,
The ARC is dedicated to helping communities throughout Tennessee establish and strengthen Spay and
Neuter programs for companion animals.
Dorothy Swann, Vice President
Dorothy Swann began her interest in animal welfare as a teenager in Florida. As time went on, her devotion
grew and she fostered and gave home to literally hundreds of cats and dogs. In 1985, Dorothy and a small
group of dedicated volunteers founded the Maury County Animal Shelter in Columbia, Tennessee. As a
Shelter Association Board Member, Dorothy had a major impact on the fledgling Shelter through her
commitment and success as a volunteer fundraiser for the first several years of the Shelter’s development.
Following her time with the Maury County Animal Shelter, Dorothy moved to Virginia where she again played
an active role as a volunteer in a “Catch and Release” spay/neuter organization. The organization caught and
sterilized ferrell cats in rural areas and then placed them on various farms throughout the region in an effort
to control the overpopulation problem.
Since returning to Tennessee, Dorothy is a very busy Real Estate Professional in Columbia, Tennessee and
continues to persevere in her commitment to companion animals. She is an active Board Member and
volunteer for Russell Rescue, Inc. - a foster/adoption program for Jack Russell Terrier’s (among other
breeds) in need of rescue. We are fortunate that her most recent commitment is taking on the role as
Founder and Vice President of The Tennessee Animal Resource Center. Dorothy’s experience, knowledge
and dedication to tackling the companion animal overpopulation problem will serve The ARC well as we work
to support and expand the animal welfare community efforts in Tennessee.
Elizabeth Queener, Treasurer
Elizabeth Queener is a staple in Middle Tennessee’s philanthropy and nonprofit circles. As the Director of
the Jack C. Massey Foundation for 15 + years where she acquired an abundance of the financial
management and administrion expertise working for one of Nashville’s Major philanthropies, as well as a
thorough understanding of the needs and processes of the Middle Tennessee’s nonprofit community. In
1995, Ms. Queener, in collaboration with a group of dedication philanthropists, went on to become one of the
Founding Trustees of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (which currently holds assets of $300
million in charitable funds and distributes over $30 million a year to Middle Tennessee Nonprofits). To add to
her list of credentials, she has held an officer position at the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation,
and has served on the Boards of some of Nashville’s most prestigious nonprofits including the Nashville
Symphony, the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee among others.
Ms. Queener has dedicated herself to supporting both of her passions; the environment with the creation of
Maury Heritage Land Trust currently managed by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation and her
love for animals is supported through the St. Francis Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle
Tennessee. An animal lover at heart she has opened up both her home in Nashville and her Family Farm in
Columbia as a sanctuary for rescued dogs, cats, horses as well as wild animals and fowl. Her experience
and dedication to the nonprofit community is an invaluable resource for The Tennessee Animal Resource
Center as we move forward to tackle some of Tennessee most pressing animal welfare issue.
Jill D. Moore, Secretary and Executive Director
Jill D. Moore is currently the start-up consultant and acting Executive Director for The Tennessee Animal
Resource Center, a resource organization dedicated to the empowering the Animal Welfare Community. Jill
began her career in nonprofits at Vanderbilt University where she gained a solid foundation in fundraising
and alumni relations. She expanded her experience working with major philanthropies during her tenure at
the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles for several years. After returning to Tennessee, Jill
chose to provide her nonprofit experience and expertise to a variety of organizations as a consultant. For the
past 9 years, Jill has been providing Middle Tennessee’s nonprofit community with consulting services in the
areas of marketing, fundraising, 501 (c ) (3) incorporation, strategic planning and grant writing. With over 17
years of fundraising, marketing and management experience working with both nonprofits and
philanthropies, Jill brings a wealth of experience to The ARC as the organization moves forward to provide
educational and consulting expertise for the Animal Welfare Community.
Vivienne James, Board Member
Vivienne James is a media professional in the Nashville Market with a background in Broadcast and Cable
Advertising Sales. Currently the Regional Account Executive for Comcast Spotlight, Vivienne is also a
dedicated animal lover and activist. Vivienne joined forces with Candace Simpson-Giles as co – Founders of
Critter Calvary and dedicates her time and love to finding foster homes and adoptive families for the dozen of
Critter Calvary rescues. As a Board member for The ARC, Vivienne has lead the way in the creation and
placement of The ARC’s statewide PSA campaign – Spay or Neuter Someone You Love launching in 2008
on Comcast Cable.
Candace Simpson-Giles, Board Member
Candace Simpson-Giles has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, public relations and media sales in
the Nashville Market. A life long animal lover, she began rescuing in Middle Tennessee and is now one of
the Founders of Critter Calvary Rescue, a rescue and foster program which currently provides foster housing
and adoption placement for dozens of at risk companion animals throughout Middle Tennessee. Candace’s
dedication to the Tennessee’s pet overpopulation problem has brought her to The ARC as a primer expert
helping lead the effort to launch a statewide Spay and Neuter Public Awareness and PR campaign.