Staff
Jennifer Brehler -- Director of Operations --
Jennifer came to AHS in July 2008 from the Durham Animal Protection Society. Jennifer came to AHS in July 2008 from the Durham Animal Protection Society. She has over eleven years experience working in open admission shelters. For the past five years, Jennifer has been manager of the daily operations for the Animal Protection Society of Durham/Durham County Animal Shelter in North Carolina that has an annual intake of nearly 7,000 animals. She has been instrumental in the smooth transition of both staff and animals during several renovations to the facility. These renovations doubled the available space to house dogs and created communal cat housing areas greatly reducing the euthanasia of adoptable animals and allowing for a more comfortable stay. Jennifer spent six years working for the Michigan Humane Society at two locations. She served initially as an Adoption Counselor advancing to Assistant Manager at the MHS Rochester Hills Shelter, then relocating as an Assistant Manager at the MHS Detroit Shelter. Jennifer recently received her Bachelor’s of Science in Humane Leadership from Duquesne University in partnership with Humane Society University. She currently serves on the Board of the North Carolina Animal Federation (NCAF).
Jim Fulton -- Director of Programs
Originally from Chicago, Jim holds a master’s degree in theatre lighting design from the University of Connecticut and was a professor of theatre design at Rollins College in Orlando, Florida. While in Florida he volunteered for the Orlando Humane Society, serving as the volunteer coordinator. After moving to Asheville, Jim volunteered at the Asheville Humane Society and eventually was hired as paid staff, holding the positions of Adoption Counselor, Office Manager, and Assistant Shelter Manger. Jim is a graduate of the Humane Society of the United States “Pets For Life” program and has taught regional workshops on animal behavioral assessments, adoptions programs and reducing animal stress in shelters.
Katherine McGowan, CFRE -- Interim President/CEO
Katherine moved to Asheville and joined AHS in February 2008 after working for The Humane Society of the United States. Her primary expertise is in marketing communications and fundraising. She served as Executive Director for two animal welfare organizations in Missouri. Before embarking on her animal welfare career, Katherine held positions with an advertising/public relations agency and a St. Louis newspaper. She also served as an adjunct professor of public relations at Webster University. Katherine holds a Masters of Arts in Media Communications. She is author of Coalition Building for Animal-Care Organizations, part of The Humane Society of the United States' Shelter Management book series, and has several published articles in Animal Sheltering magazine. Her animal family includes three small dogs (Otto, Boo Boo, and Lola) and two kitties (Rory and Celeste) - all shelter pets, of course!
Troy D. Salsbury, Jr. -- Development Associate
Troy joined AHS in 2005. He has held a variety of positions in the US and Europe, in both corporate and academic environments. Supporting the fundraising functions of the organization, Troy sees his job at Asheville Humane Society as an important element in helping to enrich the lives of the animals in our community.
Hans Wohlgefahrt -- Community Outreach Coordinator
Hans Wohlgefahrt was the Outreach and Education Director for the Sarasota Film Festival for seven years. During his time at SFF, the festival ranked as one of the top ten film festivals in North America. His outreach programs in the Sarasota area garnered both national and local acclaim. He has taught film courses at Ringling School of Art and Design and Manatee Community College. Hans holds a B.A. in Art from the University of South Florida. Most recently, he has worked as a veterinary technician at the Humane Alliance, a high-volume spay neuter clinic in Asheville. He has three adorable dogs.
