Making a Difference in the Lives of Homeless, Abused & Abandoned Animals
Our Volunteers
Aidan Williamson
Alicia Greyhair
Annette Pangallo
Annie Anderson
Archaos Rhodes
Ashley Gruskiewich
Ashley Szczepaniec and Magnum
Bernard Huser
Bev Best
Bill Wilcynski
Billy Bones
Blain DeWitt
Blue Ridge Student Council Students
Bob Dye
Bob Hovey
Bobby Huser
Bonnie McKenzie
Brady Jensen
Brendan Larkin
Brentlee Cassay
Brianna Bones
Brittany Adair
Bruce Bishop
Camden Lockman
Candee Azevedo
Carin Rubin
Caroll Koliboski
Cassie Peterson
Cathy Purvis
Chad Behn
Chelcie Preston
Cheyenne May
Chili McNeil
Chris Perikly
Chrissy Brown
Christine Kenyon
Chuck Mordhorst
Cienna Freman
Cindy Abruzzese
Cindy Adkins
Cody Ervin
Colleen Williams
Crystal Riesop
Dagmar Lowe
Dalton Gessner
Dan Goetz
Darrelyn Harris
David McLennan III
Deb Monroe
Deb Thompson
Debbie Vasquez
Dena Forrer
Denise Deisler
Denise Rainy
Dennis Azevedo
Diana Jeanne
Diana Shult
Dianna Kelley
Dianne Bulicek
Donna Mumford
Dusty Plock
Elaine Landry
Elder Haught
Elder Johnson
Emily Chute
Erika Frey
Faith Garcia
Felicia Stayton
Frank Manganiello
Frank Simmons
Garrett Gessner
Gayle Basso
Gina Goetz
Gloria McDowell
Guy Roux
Harlae Gessner
Heather Bushnell
Holly McNeil
Isaiah Whitaker
Ivan Litscher
Jacque Allen
James Hansen
James Smith
Jamie Dye
Jane Slater
Jane Waldoch
Janice Tanzer
Janie Croxen
Jasmine Nobles
Jason Johnson
JC Neff
Jean Waltke
Jennifer Simons
Jeremy Williams
Jim Tessier
John Smith
Juana Sebastian
Judy Barkley
Justine Jeffrey
Karen Anderson
Karen Crook
Karen Shively
Karen Stewart
Karen Stone
Ken Bankert
Kerri McLennan
Kevin Lares
Kim Hayden
Kim Parker
Kris Almour
Kristal Scofield
Kristi Smith
Krystal Parker
Kylie Adams
Laura McGhee
Laura Schmitt
Laura Stevens
Laura Warrell
Laurie Johnston
Laurie Palazzolo
Layne Torrey
Lee Alfreds
Lisa Burt
Lisa McKibbin
Lisa Schram
Loretta Tolmachoff
Lynne Sotak
Mackayla Riesop
Manthy Bones
Marc Reno
Mariah Comer
Marissa Quirk
Mark Sterling
Mary Hovden
Marylu Hopkinson
Matt Bulicek
Maureen Kelly
Michelle Carter
Mike Bosley
Mike Friske
Mike Mumford
MK Roney
Monica Rendon
Morgan Muller
Nancy Huser
Nathan Knoche
Olea McLennan
Pam Brandt
Pam Frizell
Peggy Lund
Pete Slater
Thank you also to our Critter Campers and Junior Volunteers.
Peyton Adams
Rae Valverde
Ralph Semprevio
Rebecca Hostler
Regeania Yonko
Renee Roncone
Richard Plock
Rob Nobles
Robin Muzzy
Ryleigh Brown
Samantha Little
Sandra Burt
Sandra Lovering
Sandy Alcumbrac
Sara Middleton
Scott Bothwell
Scott Garcia
Sharon Hoogerhyde
Shaun Bones
Shawn Knudsen
Sheri Behn
Sophie Dehombreux
Stacy Williamson
Stephen Hopkinson
Steve Manolis
Susan Bishop
Susan Eisele
Susan Manolis
Susan Nobles
Suzanne Taylor
Tamara Nash
Terry Bankert
Toni Gessner
Tracie Jordan
Twana Alexander
Valerie Lesac
Vangie Ramos
Vicki Smith
Vince Palazzolo
Vincent Palazzolo
Wendy Hewlett
Wendy Reno
Zander Behn
Board of Directors
Mark Sterling - Board President
Mark was President of the Board of Directors from 2011 -2014 .He is now our current President since 2022 .A familiar face to the residents of the White Mountains both summer and winter alike .
He has served as a member of the White Mountain Sheriffs Posse since 1985.
He was also a member of the ASU alumni association, and the White Mountain Sun Devil club since its inception Along with those organizations he has helped raise funds for the White Mountain Elks Foundation, Anglers United ,and the White Mountain Safe House . He and Michelle have been owners of HigH 5 Design inc. since 1995 and helped organize Happy Tails , the Humane Societys premier fund raising event every August since 2006. He was awarded business man of the year in 2010 by the Pinetop - Lakeside Chamber of Commerce . One of his favorite things to say is "Absolutely how can we help you ".
Jamie Dye - Vice President
My name is Jamie Dye, and I am currently the Vice-President for the Board of Directors. I have lived in the White Mountains since 2000 and love our town! I am married and have 4 children: 3 with me here and 1 in Heaven. I also have 1 grandson, and he is my favorite pastime!
I am a special education elementary teacher with degrees in Regular Education, Special Education K-8, and an M.A. in Autism Spectrum Disorders. I also have an endorsement to work with students who do not speak English.
During my spare time, my family and I love to hunt, fish, and travel, and of course, volunteer for the HSWM! We enjoy getting out in the community and seeing what our local environment can show us.
I love animals and have always been a strong advocate for them. Before moving to the White Mountains, I worked at Out of Africa Wildlife Park for 10 years. I cared for many amazing animals, and I played and swam with them to create as much enrichment as possible to make their lives happy.
I began volunteering for the shelter in 2010, and I love it! Since joining the volunteer staff, I have been the lead cashier for Happy Tails since 2012 and have walked in many parades collecting money. I have also been involved with Critter Camp since 2013 and now am the organizer/co-teacher for this wonderful summer program for kids 7-13.
Seeing the continual improvements to the shelter since joining this amazing organization has been such a Blessing, and I am so happy I can be a part of such a caring and dedicated family.
In peace, Jamie
Bernard Huser - Board Treasurer
Bernard Huser is currently our Finance Director for the Humane Society of the White Mountain. He has been part of our team starting out as an advisor to our board, before becoming a board Member for several years. Bernard has lived in our community since 1976. He retired from the Navajo County Sheriff office in 2009 and became the Program Manager for the Navajo County Animal Control for 8 years where he worked along side our current Director Josh Smith. Bernard brings a lot of experience with Administrative Management and budgeting. He worked alongside a number of volunteer organizations over his career. Bernard and his wife Nancy are animal lovers and have always supported the Humane Society and community.
Laurie Palazzolo- Board Secretary
Hello, I’m Laurie Palazzolo. I have been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 1993. If I’m not out in the great outdoors, or with animals, I’m not truly happy! I have been a Surgical Technician in the P.A.W.S. Clinic since 2010. When I’m not working, I volunteer my time to HSWM as a Board Member, Medical Foster and “Spot” the Parade Dog. If I’m not helping rescue animals, I am out rescuing people on the Navajo County Search and Rescue, Inc. Team.
Thank goodness I have a great family that understands my crazy life and supports me! I think if I were a dog, I would be a Border Collie; high spirited, high energy, and always needing something to do.
Gayle Basso - Board Member
Growing up on a farm in eastern Long Island, NY, animals have always been a part of my
life. Some were intentionally brought into our lives while others wandered in from the
woods and fields. In our house, there was space and a warm bed for all of them. Before the
1970’s, “animal rescues” didn’t exist so when a stray dog appeared at your door, you either
kept them or gave them to the dog catcher to destroy. Stray cats were on their own to
survive as best they could. I found this situation very distressing and am delighted that
since then, the concept of animal rescues has evolved and I have been able to be a part of
saving and rehoming hundreds of pets.
I volunteered with several rescue groups over the years and began helping at The Humane
Society of the White Mountains in 2011. Wanting to learn about this group from the ground
up, I begun with cleaning dog kennels. In the years since then, I have expanded my efforts
to include taking in “medical foster” dogs, fund raising, working at adoption events, editing
the newsletter, transporting animals, demonstrating at Critter Camp, socializing frightened
dogs and puppies in the shelter and generally helping at the shelter and DogHouse thrift
store. I joined the Board of Directors in 2021.
It is a joy and privilege to work with the people and animals at HSWM. I even got to adopt
three of my medical fosters and they are the best dogs in the world. I always feel that I
receive more than give – it is very rewarding to be involved with HSWM.
Bev Best - Board Member
I am honored to be on the board of directors. Animals have always been a passion for me! I have rescued and re-homed many dogs and cats throughout the years. I currently have several rescues – all with sad stories that have turned into a beautiful life for them at the Best’s. Our treasured pets warm my soul everyday as they show their thankfulness and love.
Being a mountain girl at heart, I am thrilled to have lived in this loving and caring community for the past 15 years! After living in the metropolitan area for 30 years, I sold my business and followed my heart to move back to the mountains to live out my amazing fantasy life here in the White Mountains.
Since living here, I have been a full time Realtor. My husband Bruce and my daughter Hannah are also Realtor’s and work the business with me. I am thrilled to have 2 of my grandchildren live close by and my son Tyler is also fully engaged in the community with his company Best Mountain Blinds. Family is also my passion, so having my family live close is the ultimate dream.
I look forward to the amazing opportunities for the White Mountain Humane Society. The dedication from the staff, board and volunteers overwhelm me. They make my heart sing as I am incredibly proud of the organization! The most fantastic feature of our community is the supporters who come out with love and donations of time, energy and financial support. It takes a village, so they say, and to our precious ‘village’ we thank everyone for all that they give and do and will continue to do in the future to support our beautiful rescues.
Bev Best
Terry Young - Board Member
Terry Young - Board Member
Terry Young - Board Member
Info Coming Soon!
Shelter Staff
Buddy-"The Head Honcho" (retired)
Buddy began his HSWM career back in 2013. Buddy has since been the one to do all of our Dog to Cat tests and he is very observant to how the dogs will react to cats. Buddy enjoys all of the love the other employees give to him as well as all of the clients that come in. Buddy also enjoys kicking back with his feline friends until they get adopted and he gets to meet new friends. Thank you Buddy for all of your dedicated hard work! We love you big guy!
HSWM Staff
Joe J- Director of Operations
Andrew-Shelter Manager
Joe A-Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator
Lee-Cat Caretaker
Kortni-Kennel Tech
Michelle-Receptionist
Savannah-Cat Caretaker
Maya-Kennel Tech
Monica-Kennel Tech
Bella-Kennel Tech
Felicity-Cat Caretaker
Vicki-Cat Caretaker
Debbie -Executive Director
Debbie -Executive Director
DogHouse Staff
Bonnye-Manager
Carson
Heidi
Xavier
Glen