Bios of Speakers
Speaker Bios
Keynote Speaker
Peter Marsh, Founder and President
Solutions to Pet Overpopulation
New Hampshire attorney Peter Marsh is the Founder and one of the directors of Solutions to
Overpopulation of Pets (STOP), which spearheaded New Hampshire's campaign for a publicly funded
spay/neuter program. The initiative program he helped push through the state legislature is a model of
what can be achieved in order to provide a statewide, low-cost program.
Mr. Marsh has worked on legislation for animals in New Hampshire and across the country since
the late 1970s. He has helped with legislative campaigns that have extended animal cruelty laws,
established minimum dog shelter requirements, and among many others achievements in the animal
welfare cause.
Peter has also worked on legislation that secured public funding for neutering assistance programs in
New Hampshire and has helped animal protection groups get public funding for programs in several
other parts of the country. As a lawyer, he has privately prosecuted many animal cruelty cases and has
served as the Governor's appointee to the Pet Overpopulation Committee of the New Hampshire
Legislature for several years.
Mr. Marsh’s Keynote address will present statistical analysis of successful Spay and Neuter Programs
around the country that provide evidence to support his argument that “The key to any successful No
More Homeless Pets program, is a low-cost spay/neuter campaign that is precisely targeted toward
specific segments of the local population.
Lynne Fridley - Field Representative
Maddie’s Fund
Lynne Fridley began her career in animal welfare 29 years ago at the Shelby County Humane Society
in central Alabama, and then moved on to serve as Executive Director of the Humane Society of Chilton
County remaining in that position for 18 years. Lynne has been active for over 28 years in the Alabama
Humane Federation and has served several stints as president. The Alabama Humane Federation
was instrumental in the passage of important legislation under Lynne’s leadership, including a felony
cruelty law which took effect in August of 2000. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for
the Alabama Animal Control Association, and was appointed by the Governor of Alabama to serve a
two year term on the Board of Directors of the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
As president of the Alabama Humane Federation, Lynne began investigating the possibility of applying
for a statewide Maddie’s Fund Spay/Neuter grant. The $2.4 million dollar grant was awarded and the
program began in 2001 resulting in 36,047 low income spay/neuter surgeries statewide over the two
year course of the grant.
Because of the great success of Maddie’s Big Fix for Alabama, Lynne was offered a position on the
staff of Maddie’s Fund, and began working as the first Field Representative for the Pet Rescue
Foundation in July 2002. Her work includes helping communities build collaborations, technical
support for applicants, overseeing the projects funded in the Southeast U.S., and particularly in
Alabama.
Angel N. May, Community Affairs Mng, PEDIGREE Foundation Board Secretary
Mars Petcare US
Angel May joined Mars Petcare US in March 2008 and is currently the Community Affairs Manager. Her
responsibilities include management of outreach opportunities in plant site communities assisting
with relationship building initiatives that position Mars Petcare US as a responsible corporate citizen.
In addition, she manages and administers the grant process for the PEDIGREE Foundation and
serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors.
May is a creative, results-focused professional in marketing communications and public relations with
experience in the government and professional sports sectors. For five years prior to this position, she
directed the communications efforts for Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), a Metropolitan
Government of Nashville regional workforce development agency. In this position, she developed and
executed regional marketing communications plans and initiatives that projected a uniform brand
image within a four-county region to include media relations, advertising, collateral material and
special events.
Her drive and passion came alive as she served as community relations assistant for National Hockey
League’s Nashville Predators developing five new programs that supported non-profit organizations
and schools while raising money through special events to give back to the community through the
Predators Foundation. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Angel May was proud to return home after
spending 15 years in St. Louis, Missouri. She has a passion for the outdoors through boating, hiking,
water skiing and a love for travel and photography. Her life’s motto is to work and play hard, while
finding time to relax. She is married to husband, Anthony, and has one daughter Isabella and three
step-sons, Blake, Taylor and Karson.
Special Guest Speaker
Jim Mason, Author and Board Secretary
Two Mauds Foundation
Jim Mason is an author and attorney who focuses on human/animal concerns. His latest book, co-
authored with Princeton professor and ethicist Peter Singer, is The Ethics of What We Eat: Why Our
Food Choices Matter (Rodale Press, 2006). The authors trace the foods eaten by three American
families back to their sources and explore the ethical questions that arise along the way. The book
discusses factory farming and alternatives, fair trade, buying local, organic farming, commercial
fishing, and other food matters of concern to consumers today.
Mason is author of An Unnatural Order: The Roots of Our Destruction of Nature (Lantern Books, 2005)
and co-author with Peter Singer of Animal Factories (Crown, 1980; rev. ed. 1990).He a contributor to
In Defence of Animals (Blackwell’s, 2005), edited by Peter Singer. His writings have appeared in
Audubon, The New York Times, New Scientist, Newsday, Country Journal, Orion Nature Quarterly, and
other publications.
Afternoon Breakout Session Presenters
Track I
Mr. Lynn D. Fisher, Assistant County Administor
Pickens County Government, South Carolina
Lynn Fisher has been working for Pickens County Government for 17 years. He began as the
Information System Director and is now the Assistant County Administrator with his primary focus as
the Emergency Management Director. One of Lynn’s areas of responsibility is the department of
Animal Management. Lynn holds a Masters Degree in Computer Resources and another in Strategic
Studies. Lynn resides in Pickens, SC with his wife Libby. When Lynn is not involved with his
employer, he enjoys running and biking.
Animal Management 101, Pickens County, SC - This presentation will provide the Cliff Notes for the
four pillars of success for the Animal Management in Pickens County, SC. The pillars are:
Responsiveness, Spay-Neuter, Adoption and Education.
Ms. Leighann McCollum, Tennessee State Director
The Humane Society of the United States
Leighann McCollum, has been involved in animal welfare since 1998, with a focus on sheltering and
spay/neuter initiatives. She began as a volunteer in a small North Carolina shelter, directing the
volunteer staff and day to day operations. Eventually, McCollum became frustrated by the flood of
unwanted and lost animals and began knocking on doors asking community leaders to start
addressing the lack of laws regarding animals in the community. She worked with county officials to
pass ordinances for mandatory spay/neuter of adopted shelter animals, stronger leash laws, and pet
identification policies. These small but important achievements sparked her passion for public policy
change as the key to advancing animal welfare.
McColllum joining the Human Society of the United States in 2007, after having gained experience
working for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. In 2008, McCollum set into motion the largest puppy mill
rescue ever conducted in Tennessee. After receiving undercover tips, she worked with investigators
with the District Attorney's office for the 21st Judicial District to build a successful case against the
puppy mill operator of the Pine Bluff Kennels in Lyles, resulting in the rescue of nearly 750 animals.
The North Carolina native lives in Nashville with her husband and two dogs where she has a revolving
door of foster dogs.
Effective Citizen Advocacy for Humane Organizations: During this role playing workshop - Leighann will
provide effective communication tips and coalition building strategies to help pitch spay/neuter
legislation to law makers at the local government level.
Track II
Mr. Peter Woolfolk, President & CEO
Communications Strategies/CNM Consultant
Mr. Peter Woolfolk, president and chief executive officer of Communications Strategies, LLC, is a
public relations professional with more than 20 years of executive level experience. Recruited from
Washington, DC, he served as Fisk University’s first vice president of communications and public
relations. His public relations career is highlighted by a White House appointment in the Clinton
Administration as Special Assistant/Communications to the assistant secretary, U.S. Department of
Education. Following his White House appointment he was an external communications consultant to
former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher. AARP, AT&T, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Meharry Medical College, Nashville Sounds, and more.
Public Relations and Building Constituencies: This workshop helps you build support for your
organization by delivering the right message to the right audience. Before an agency can successfully
begin to establish collaborative or funding relationships in their community, it is important that they let
the community know who they are, what they do and why this is important to the community. From
giving a speech to conducting a tour, learn how to develop a compelling message, tailor it to your
audience, and deliver it with confidence.
Ms. Jill Moore, Nonprofit Consultant and Former Executive Director
The Tennessee Animal Resource Center
Jill Moore was the start-up consultant and interim Executive Director for The Tennessee Animal
Resource Center since its inception in 2006. For the past three years, she dedicated herself to
building programs of The ARC that provide resources and educational opportunities for Tennessee’s
Animal Welfare Community. Jill began her career in nonprofits at Vanderbilt University in Development
and Alumni Relations, then gained valuable experience in grant making priorities and practiced during
her tenure at the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles. Upon her return to Tennessee, Jill
branched out on her own while raising her three children, and for the past 10 years 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 18 years of
experience in the “Third Sector” Jill consulting addresses the unique knowledge of how to blend and
balance what nonprofit’s need and what philanthropies want to achieve from their grant programs.
Fundraising and Grants for Animal Welfare Organizations: Jill will address the current state of funding
for the Animal Welfare community nationally and in Tennessee and how grants should fit into your
organizations fundraising mix. For many first-timers grants can seem overwhelming. When your
nonprofit needs money for everything, how do you decide which foundations to apply to, which projects
to propose and how to complete the grant application? And the No. 1 question – how much to ask for?
These topics and more will be covered in this introduction to grant writing as tackle an actual animal
welfare grant application form.
Track III
Mr. Peter Marsh, Esq., Founder
Solutions to Overpopulation of Pets
Keynote Speaker, Mr. Peter Marsh, will provide his legal expertise as a licensed attorney for the state of
New Hampshire, as he presents essential information for those considering establishing a 501 (c )
(3) nonprofit to address animal welfare concerns in their community. What are the pros and cons and
regulations regarding incorporation, liability, and lobbying limitations for you as a nonprofit?
Mr. Larry Howlett, Certified Public Accountant and President
Larry C. Howlett, CPA PLLC Firm in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Mr. Larry Howlett has over 30 years of experience with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an
Exempt Organizations Specialist. He has assisted many organizations all over the nation with their
accounting requirements so that the organization can bring people to Christ. Consultations cover all
areas of effectively running a nonprofit organization. Services offered to nonprofit organizations are:
Preparation of Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption, annual filing of Form 990,
assisting organizations in the resolution of penalty charges for various aspects with the IRS.
Larry offers many customized presentations to board of directors and nonprofit organizations for
instance: Rules and Procedures of the Operation of Churches to Church Business Administrators,
Effects of Sarbanes~Oxley Act on Nonprofit Organizations, Good Governances Practices for Board of
Directors. Larry teaches classes for the Center of Nonprofit Management in Nashville, Tennessee.
Larry works with accountant and legal firms in compliance audits for churches, private foundations and
charities. Larry is a member of Kentucky & Tennessee Certified Public Accountants, National
Association of Church Business Administration, Great Lakes Area TE/GE Council of the IRS, and
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Extreme Make over – 2008 Form 990: Larry will present the concepts behind the new 990 filings
requirements and let you know what exactly the IRS is looking for. Tools that you can use throughout
the year to simplify your accounting and 990 filings and how to make your financials work for you as
Fundraising tools.
Keynote Speaker
Peter Marsh, Founder and President
Solutions to Pet Overpopulation
New Hampshire attorney Peter Marsh is the Founder and one of the directors of Solutions to
Overpopulation of Pets (STOP), which spearheaded New Hampshire's campaign for a publicly funded
spay/neuter program. The initiative program he helped push through the state legislature is a model of
what can be achieved in order to provide a statewide, low-cost program.
Mr. Marsh has worked on legislation for animals in New Hampshire and across the country since
the late 1970s. He has helped with legislative campaigns that have extended animal cruelty laws,
established minimum dog shelter requirements, and among many others achievements in the animal
welfare cause.
Peter has also worked on legislation that secured public funding for neutering assistance programs in
New Hampshire and has helped animal protection groups get public funding for programs in several
other parts of the country. As a lawyer, he has privately prosecuted many animal cruelty cases and has
served as the Governor's appointee to the Pet Overpopulation Committee of the New Hampshire
Legislature for several years.
Mr. Marsh’s Keynote address will present statistical analysis of successful Spay and Neuter Programs
around the country that provide evidence to support his argument that “The key to any successful No
More Homeless Pets program, is a low-cost spay/neuter campaign that is precisely targeted toward
specific segments of the local population.
Lynne Fridley - Field Representative
Maddie’s Fund
Lynne Fridley began her career in animal welfare 29 years ago at the Shelby County Humane Society
in central Alabama, and then moved on to serve as Executive Director of the Humane Society of Chilton
County remaining in that position for 18 years. Lynne has been active for over 28 years in the Alabama
Humane Federation and has served several stints as president. The Alabama Humane Federation
was instrumental in the passage of important legislation under Lynne’s leadership, including a felony
cruelty law which took effect in August of 2000. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for
the Alabama Animal Control Association, and was appointed by the Governor of Alabama to serve a
two year term on the Board of Directors of the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
As president of the Alabama Humane Federation, Lynne began investigating the possibility of applying
for a statewide Maddie’s Fund Spay/Neuter grant. The $2.4 million dollar grant was awarded and the
program began in 2001 resulting in 36,047 low income spay/neuter surgeries statewide over the two
year course of the grant.
Because of the great success of Maddie’s Big Fix for Alabama, Lynne was offered a position on the
staff of Maddie’s Fund, and began working as the first Field Representative for the Pet Rescue
Foundation in July 2002. Her work includes helping communities build collaborations, technical
support for applicants, overseeing the projects funded in the Southeast U.S., and particularly in
Alabama.
Angel N. May, Community Affairs Mng, PEDIGREE Foundation Board Secretary
Mars Petcare US
Angel May joined Mars Petcare US in March 2008 and is currently the Community Affairs Manager. Her
responsibilities include management of outreach opportunities in plant site communities assisting
with relationship building initiatives that position Mars Petcare US as a responsible corporate citizen.
In addition, she manages and administers the grant process for the PEDIGREE Foundation and
serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors.
May is a creative, results-focused professional in marketing communications and public relations with
experience in the government and professional sports sectors. For five years prior to this position, she
directed the communications efforts for Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), a Metropolitan
Government of Nashville regional workforce development agency. In this position, she developed and
executed regional marketing communications plans and initiatives that projected a uniform brand
image within a four-county region to include media relations, advertising, collateral material and
special events.
Her drive and passion came alive as she served as community relations assistant for National Hockey
League’s Nashville Predators developing five new programs that supported non-profit organizations
and schools while raising money through special events to give back to the community through the
Predators Foundation. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Angel May was proud to return home after
spending 15 years in St. Louis, Missouri. She has a passion for the outdoors through boating, hiking,
water skiing and a love for travel and photography. Her life’s motto is to work and play hard, while
finding time to relax. She is married to husband, Anthony, and has one daughter Isabella and three
step-sons, Blake, Taylor and Karson.
Special Guest Speaker
Jim Mason, Author and Board Secretary
Two Mauds Foundation
Jim Mason is an author and attorney who focuses on human/animal concerns. His latest book, co-
authored with Princeton professor and ethicist Peter Singer, is The Ethics of What We Eat: Why Our
Food Choices Matter (Rodale Press, 2006). The authors trace the foods eaten by three American
families back to their sources and explore the ethical questions that arise along the way. The book
discusses factory farming and alternatives, fair trade, buying local, organic farming, commercial
fishing, and other food matters of concern to consumers today.
Mason is author of An Unnatural Order: The Roots of Our Destruction of Nature (Lantern Books, 2005)
and co-author with Peter Singer of Animal Factories (Crown, 1980; rev. ed. 1990).He a contributor to
In Defence of Animals (Blackwell’s, 2005), edited by Peter Singer. His writings have appeared in
Audubon, The New York Times, New Scientist, Newsday, Country Journal, Orion Nature Quarterly, and
other publications.
Afternoon Breakout Session Presenters
Track I
Mr. Lynn D. Fisher, Assistant County Administor
Pickens County Government, South Carolina
Lynn Fisher has been working for Pickens County Government for 17 years. He began as the
Information System Director and is now the Assistant County Administrator with his primary focus as
the Emergency Management Director. One of Lynn’s areas of responsibility is the department of
Animal Management. Lynn holds a Masters Degree in Computer Resources and another in Strategic
Studies. Lynn resides in Pickens, SC with his wife Libby. When Lynn is not involved with his
employer, he enjoys running and biking.
Animal Management 101, Pickens County, SC - This presentation will provide the Cliff Notes for the
four pillars of success for the Animal Management in Pickens County, SC. The pillars are:
Responsiveness, Spay-Neuter, Adoption and Education.
Ms. Leighann McCollum, Tennessee State Director
The Humane Society of the United States
Leighann McCollum, has been involved in animal welfare since 1998, with a focus on sheltering and
spay/neuter initiatives. She began as a volunteer in a small North Carolina shelter, directing the
volunteer staff and day to day operations. Eventually, McCollum became frustrated by the flood of
unwanted and lost animals and began knocking on doors asking community leaders to start
addressing the lack of laws regarding animals in the community. She worked with county officials to
pass ordinances for mandatory spay/neuter of adopted shelter animals, stronger leash laws, and pet
identification policies. These small but important achievements sparked her passion for public policy
change as the key to advancing animal welfare.
McColllum joining the Human Society of the United States in 2007, after having gained experience
working for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. In 2008, McCollum set into motion the largest puppy mill
rescue ever conducted in Tennessee. After receiving undercover tips, she worked with investigators
with the District Attorney's office for the 21st Judicial District to build a successful case against the
puppy mill operator of the Pine Bluff Kennels in Lyles, resulting in the rescue of nearly 750 animals.
The North Carolina native lives in Nashville with her husband and two dogs where she has a revolving
door of foster dogs.
Effective Citizen Advocacy for Humane Organizations: During this role playing workshop - Leighann will
provide effective communication tips and coalition building strategies to help pitch spay/neuter
legislation to law makers at the local government level.
Track II
Mr. Peter Woolfolk, President & CEO
Communications Strategies/CNM Consultant
Mr. Peter Woolfolk, president and chief executive officer of Communications Strategies, LLC, is a
public relations professional with more than 20 years of executive level experience. Recruited from
Washington, DC, he served as Fisk University’s first vice president of communications and public
relations. His public relations career is highlighted by a White House appointment in the Clinton
Administration as Special Assistant/Communications to the assistant secretary, U.S. Department of
Education. Following his White House appointment he was an external communications consultant to
former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher. AARP, AT&T, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Meharry Medical College, Nashville Sounds, and more.
Public Relations and Building Constituencies: This workshop helps you build support for your
organization by delivering the right message to the right audience. Before an agency can successfully
begin to establish collaborative or funding relationships in their community, it is important that they let
the community know who they are, what they do and why this is important to the community. From
giving a speech to conducting a tour, learn how to develop a compelling message, tailor it to your
audience, and deliver it with confidence.
Ms. Jill Moore, Nonprofit Consultant and Former Executive Director
The Tennessee Animal Resource Center
Jill Moore was the start-up consultant and interim Executive Director for The Tennessee Animal
Resource Center since its inception in 2006. For the past three years, she dedicated herself to
building programs of The ARC that provide resources and educational opportunities for Tennessee’s
Animal Welfare Community. Jill began her career in nonprofits at Vanderbilt University in Development
and Alumni Relations, then gained valuable experience in grant making priorities and practiced during
her tenure at the California Community Foundation in Los Angeles. Upon her return to Tennessee, Jill
branched out on her own while raising her three children, and for the past 10 years 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 18 years of
experience in the “Third Sector” Jill consulting addresses the unique knowledge of how to blend and
balance what nonprofit’s need and what philanthropies want to achieve from their grant programs.
Fundraising and Grants for Animal Welfare Organizations: Jill will address the current state of funding
for the Animal Welfare community nationally and in Tennessee and how grants should fit into your
organizations fundraising mix. For many first-timers grants can seem overwhelming. When your
nonprofit needs money for everything, how do you decide which foundations to apply to, which projects
to propose and how to complete the grant application? And the No. 1 question – how much to ask for?
These topics and more will be covered in this introduction to grant writing as tackle an actual animal
welfare grant application form.
Track III
Mr. Peter Marsh, Esq., Founder
Solutions to Overpopulation of Pets
Keynote Speaker, Mr. Peter Marsh, will provide his legal expertise as a licensed attorney for the state of
New Hampshire, as he presents essential information for those considering establishing a 501 (c )
(3) nonprofit to address animal welfare concerns in their community. What are the pros and cons and
regulations regarding incorporation, liability, and lobbying limitations for you as a nonprofit?
Mr. Larry Howlett, Certified Public Accountant and President
Larry C. Howlett, CPA PLLC Firm in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Mr. Larry Howlett has over 30 years of experience with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an
Exempt Organizations Specialist. He has assisted many organizations all over the nation with their
accounting requirements so that the organization can bring people to Christ. Consultations cover all
areas of effectively running a nonprofit organization. Services offered to nonprofit organizations are:
Preparation of Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption, annual filing of Form 990,
assisting organizations in the resolution of penalty charges for various aspects with the IRS.
Larry offers many customized presentations to board of directors and nonprofit organizations for
instance: Rules and Procedures of the Operation of Churches to Church Business Administrators,
Effects of Sarbanes~Oxley Act on Nonprofit Organizations, Good Governances Practices for Board of
Directors. Larry teaches classes for the Center of Nonprofit Management in Nashville, Tennessee.
Larry works with accountant and legal firms in compliance audits for churches, private foundations and
charities. Larry is a member of Kentucky & Tennessee Certified Public Accountants, National
Association of Church Business Administration, Great Lakes Area TE/GE Council of the IRS, and
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Extreme Make over – 2008 Form 990: Larry will present the concepts behind the new 990 filings
requirements and let you know what exactly the IRS is looking for. Tools that you can use throughout
the year to simplify your accounting and 990 filings and how to make your financials work for you as
Fundraising tools.
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