Meet Our Staff
Administrative Staff
Executive Director – William M. Watson, Jr.
William M. Watson, Jr. has been Executive Director of the RVSPCA since, June, 2006. Prior to that, Bill served on the Board of Directors, involved with the finance committee and serving as Vice President. Bill brings a unique perspective to the position, having been formally trained as an attorney. He is also a devoted animal lover, sharing his home with wife Shelly, a sheltie, two collies, and three cats.
bwatson@rvspca.org
Director of Operations – Stan Wrotniewski
Stan Wrotniewski is the Director of Operations at the RVSPCA and is responsible for the day-to-day workings of the shelter. An extensive background in social services enables Stan to bring professionalism to his interaction with the staff and general public. One of the most fulfilling aspects of Stan’s position is seeing animals adopted, rescued or reunited with their owners.
stanw@rcacp.org
Director of Finance & Human Resources – Susan Black
Susan Black is Director of Finance & Human Resources, and brings a wealth of experience to the position. Holding the professional designation of Certified Public Accountant, Susan specialized in non-profit audit and taxation for more than twelve years and has served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations. Susan previously held the position of Director of Operations & Finance for Opera Roanoke. Susan and her husband Brian have three dogs – Douglas, Squeaker, and Mack (an RVSPCA adoptee). When asked what she likes best about working at the RVSPCA, Susan replied, “the variety, no two days are ever the same. And I get to work around dogs all day!”
sblack@rvspca.org
Staff Veterinarian – Dr. Jennifer McFarling
Dr. Jennifer McFarling came to the RVSPCA from private practice in August, 2005. She graduated from VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003 and has found shelter medicine to be both thrilling and challenging. Dr. McFarling works tirelessly on behalf of the animals at the shelter, overseeing medical care, recommending treatment options for the behavioral issues most shelter animals face, and providing training in proper cleaning and sanitizing methods.
Dr. McFarling remarked, “working with all the animals is what I like best about my job. These very deserving animals seem so grateful for the attention they receive, both medically and socially. They maintain the best attitudes in spite of having experienced some very difficult situations/circumstances.”
jmcfarling@rvspca.org
Behaviorist - Mary Marr
Mary Marr is the Animal Behaviorist. One of her main duties is to evaluate for adoptability. Mary also works with the potential adopter to make sure he is making the right choice of pet for his lifestyle. Mary has a degree in Psychology from Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA. The family has always had pets and her mother is a dog trainer, so Mary has grown up with animals and solving troubling behaviors her entire life. She welcomes the chance to help solve any bad behaviors so that the pet is able to stay in the home rather than being given up. She also works closely with the Regional Center for Animal Control & Protection to place as many dogs as possible with rescue groups or in permanent homes. She can be reached at mmarr@rvspca.org.
-
Foster Coordinator – Ann Marie Sweeney
Ann Marie Sweeney has been a familiar face around the RVSPCA long before she became a member of the staff. After relocating to the Roanoke Valley she began volunteering at the shelter 3-4 days per week, cleaning kennels and working with the dogs. She became a member of the staff, first as an animal attendant and then as Volunteer/Foster Coordinator. Under Ann Marie's guidance, the foster program has grown tremendously and she has been responsible for nearly tripling the number of animals that are saved because of the TLC that they receive in their temporary homes. One of the more challenging aspects of Ann Marie’s position is recruiting new foster homes for the many infant and orphaned animals that find their way to the RVSPCA each year. Through persistence and persuasion, Ann Marie has been able to give hundreds of animals the chance at life that they so deserve by placing them in temporary homes.
asweeney@rvspca.org 
Volunteer Coordinator - Ruth Pierce
Ruth Pierce is the Volunteer Coordinator. A familiar face around the shelter, Ruth is a long-time volunteer and foster parent. Ruth has volunteered at most of the events and can bring a unique perspective to recruiting and motivating this most important part of our workforce. Ruth's calm nature, organizational skills and sense of humor will serve her well in this position.
rpierce@rvspca.org
Director of Development - Carolyn Schwanhausser
Carolyn Schwanhausser brings 25 years of experience in the non-profit world to the position of Director of Development. She was most recently employed as the Director of Development & Alumni Relations for the Jefferson Center Foundation. Previously she has worked at Ferrum College and the Science Museum of Western Virginia in a similar capacity. Carolyn is the proud grandparent of two little boys and one large, goofy dog named Wilbur.
cschwanhausser@rvspca.org
Director of Marketing & Special Events – Kathy Perdue
Kathy Perdue oversees the organization’s fundraising activities including special events, and on-line giving, and maintains the website. In addition, she is involved with the public relations activities of the RVSPCA, is editor of the Paw Street Journal, the quarterly RVSPCA newsletter, and the Paw Print, the bi-monthly e-newsletter. Committed to seeing that all animals get the loving homes they deserve, Kathy is the proud pet-parent of four cats (2 RVSPCA alumni), a year old lab-mix (RVSPCA adoptee) and seven birds (also graduates of the RVSPCA). She is a regular foster parent and has provided a temporary home for over 200 cats, kittens kittens and adult canines needing respite from the shelter environment.
kperdue@rvspca.org
Support Staff
April Hartz is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and is assistant to the staff veterinarian.
Libby Turner is the Veterinary Assistant.
Melinda Milan is assistant to the Director of Finance & Human Resources
Mimi Bartley is the Assistant to the Development & Fundraising departments.
Jennifer Reed
is the front desk clerk, facilitating adoptions.
Lori Mills is the Kennel Supervisor, watching over the day-to-day care of the animals.
Courtney Armsworthy, Christina Baker, Leslie Campbell, Tonya Gilbert, & Jeanne Kane, are the Animal Attendants, responsible for the daily care and treatment of the animals at the RVSPCA.
