Meet our Board

Jim Watson | Member

Jim Watson joined the Larimer Humane Society Board in October of 2016. Jim has over 35 years of Customer Service and Business Management on his resume, 13 of those years at The Group Inc., Real Estate as a Partner and Broker. Jim has always been dedicated to developing systems that will provide consistent, excellent results. His belief that a successful business is built on long-term relationships, rooted in trust and respect, is the driving force in every interaction.  At The Group Inc., he has found those same core values and that translates to a smooth and positive real estate experience for his customers.

Jim has served in various roles on non-profit boards for the past two decades and is currently on the GroupGives Foundation board, a Northern Colorado Community Foundation non-profit founded by The Group partners with the belief that every person should have a place to call home. Larimer Humane Society has a similar belief and mission, find every animal a loving home. Jim has always felt the call to be the advocate for the underdog or undercat as his new role has shown him. He believes that a community should be judged by how they support the needy and unwanted in its midst. Jim hopes that his business experience along with his years as a volunteer board member will bring some value to the Larimer Humane Society and all the critters that are brought to its doors.

Raised in a small town in the California Gold Country, the Watsons moved to Fort Collins in 1986.  Nikki, Jim’s bride of 32 years, is an amazing supporter and partner in life’s adventure. She was also Jim’s initial introduction to Larimer Humane Society when she volunteered at the shelter. Nikki and Jim grew up with pets and have had animals as part of their lives as long as they can remember. Although currently empty-nesters, they have two daughters, Ashley and Chelsey, who both went through Poudre School District and went on to graduate from Colorado State University. They live and work in Denver now, enjoying a “20 something urban experience”. For this moment in time, Jim and Nikki are content loving their grand-dogs, Mitzey and Remy, and enjoying the love and excitement they bring to their home.

When not busy with work or volunteering, Jim is an avid runner, fair weather cyclist, cautious mountain biker and decent skier. Nikki and he love to hike, camp, work in their yard, cook together and check out new breweries and restaurants.

Timiry McCaskell | Vice Chairperson

In addition to being a leader in the Colorado wedding industry, Timiry came to us with prior nonprofit leadership experience, having served on the boards for Partners Mentoring Youth and the Junior League of Fort Collins.

“It is my goal to support organizations that involve things I’m passionate about, and those two things are kids and animals.

I loved my time on the board for Partners Mentoring Youth serving on the Party for Partners committee and also the Corporate Development Committee,” says Timiry, adding that her contacts have helped contribute to the success of these organizations’ events and fundraising efforts.

Timiry’s prior volunteer experience has helped her gain an understanding of the importance of nonprofit missions. “Ultimately, the goal of the Larimer Humane Society is to find loving, responsible homes for all of the animals in its care and those they may not even know about yet,” she says. “Larimer Humane Society also works to educate the community on the importance of the ethical treatment of animals.”

Timiry believes strongly in providing education regarding the importance of spay/neuter programs. “It’s important for the financial aspects of caring for overpopulated animals and for the overall wellbeing of the animals that are the result of being ‘unwanted’ or planned,” she says.

Haleigh Hanifen | Treasurer

Haleigh Gonzalez joined the board October 2016. She works as a CPA for Soukup, Bush & Associates, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Haleigh is eager to contribute her expertise that will translate into strategic planning, budgeting, and more.

Susan Shattuck | Secretary

Susan Shattuck returned the board as of September 2016. Susan brings experience as board Treasurer for the Artists’ Association for Northern Colorado, as well as 16 years of volunteer experience with Larimer Humane Society. Susan has a strong passion for animal welfare and wants to help give animals a voice in the community.

Paul Birdsall | Member

Paul joined the board as a member in March 2017. Paul is a commercial banker with Colorado Business Bank with skills in budgeting, financial planning, and management. Paul is excited about contributing to the well-being of Larimer County’s animals. He’s energized about educating citizens on what’s best for their pets and what resources Larimer Humane Society provides.

Melinda Frye| Member

Melinda Frye joined the board as a member in October 2017. Melinda is an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University and serves as the Associate Dean for Veterinary Academic and Student Affairs. She provides instruction to first-year DVM students on the subjects of pulmonary and cardiovascular physiology.

Originally a critical care R.N., Dr. Frye received her DVM from Colorado State University in 1996. She served as an associate DVM in a mixed animal practice in rural Idaho before returning to CSU to complete an internship and residency in large animal internal medicine and became an ACVIM diplomate in 2001. Dr. Frye pursued a PhD in physiology thereafter, emphasizing vascular biology within the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratory. She returned to the CSU Department of Biomedical Sciences in 2007, initiating her teaching in the DVM program and conducting research focused on the myocardial response to fatty acids using dietary interventions in rodents.

Geneve Huxley | Member

Geneve Huxley is a CPA and the founder of Huxley CPA Consulting, LLC (www.huxleycpa.com), which offers fractional CFO services as well as helping businesses increase their bottom line through process optimization. Previously, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Colorado State University Foundation in Fort Collins, and also worked at the University of Northern Colorado Foundation and the University of Colorado Foundation. She has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, many as a strategic adviser to executive management and leading teams. In her spare time, Geneve enjoys networking, volunteering, skiing, and spending time with her family.

Pam Jones | Member

Pam Jones joined the Board of Directors for Larimer Humane Society in June 2014. She is currently a consultant assisting organizations to implement major gifts’ fundraising programs. Jones has decades of experience in fundraising, marketing, public relations, strategic planning, and non-profit financial management. Jones is passionate about animal welfare and believes that it is key to supporting a thriving and successful community in Northern Colorado.

Sheila Kloster | Member

Sheila Kloster joined the board in October, 2018 and is passionate about conservation and advocating for animal welfare. Sheila brought to the board many years of volunteer and vocational experience in both human and animal welfare organizations. She holds a Master of Science in Operations Management and Information Systems from NIU and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Illinois State University. She is also a Certified Manager through James Madison University, a Master Microsoft Certified Application Specialist, a Certified Six Sigma Greenbelt, and a Certified Project Management Professional. She and her husband John are the proud parents of two felines, Hannah and Punkin.

Kathy Kregel | Member

Kathy Kregel joined the board in February 2017, as the new member. Kathy has spent 20 years designing, developing, and operating three non-profits. She also has memberships in numerous animal and business organizations. Kathy is passionate about combining her life-long love of animals with her organizational management skills to provide good lives for Larimer County’s animals.

Keith Meyer | Member

Keith Meyer, P.E. is President of Ditesco, an engineering, program, project and construction management firm located in Fort Collins. What’s in a name? Ditesco [dī-tes-kō], is a latin word meaning to enrich (dito) and to become (esco). Ditesco’s purpose is to enrich their client’s project delivery experience by providing them with exceptional service and value while also allowing communities to become the thriving and vibrant places we all call home.

Keith is a Colorado native, proud graduate of Colorado State University (B.S. in Civil Engineering), and a grateful resident of the Fort Collins community for 25 years. Giving back to the community that has positively affected his professional and personal life is, and always will be, a core value to Keith, his family, and Ditesco.

Keith lives in Fort Collins with his wife, Colleen; daughter, Karlie; and Larimer Humane Society adopted dog, Buddy

Meg Olsen | Member

Meg Olsen joined the board in August 2017. She’s an Associate General Counsel with UCHealth, and is passionate about animal welfare advocacy. Meg is excited to be involved with helping animals experience unconditional love and compassion.

Cheri O’Neill | Member

Cherí is a newcomer to Larimer County, but not to animal welfare and nonprofit leadership.

Cherí is president and CEO of the Colorado State University Foundation, a $500 million organization that receives, invests and stewards private contributions to CSU. Before moving to Fort Collins in 2018, Cherí was president and CEO of the Ball State University Foundation. Before that, she was CEO of the Alpha Chi Omega women’s Fraternity, Foundation and Housing Corporation. Cherí also served Indiana University for 17 years, working in admissions, alumni relations, international recruiting and development.

As an animal-welfare volunteer, Cherí worked with animals at Bloomington, Ind.’s Pets Alive, and was appointed by Bloomington’s mayor to that city’s Animal Control Commission. She also served on the board of IndyHumane, the leading animal welfare organization in Indianapolis.

Cherí also serves on the Association of Governing Boards Council of Presidents, and the investment committee of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation.

When she’s not working, leading boards, or volunteering, Cherí and her husband, Bruce Hetrick, can be found with their pup, Ollie, walking near their Old Town home or hiking in the mountains.