CENTRAL POINT, OR – With the launch this month of Dogs for Better Lives’ 2019-20 fiscal year, the Board of Directors welcomed three new board members, including Garrett West (OR), Stacy Tollie (NC), and Bill Pritchett (OR).
“The Board of Directors are pleased to see Stacy, Garrett, and Bill joining DBL’s national board. Each bring unique skills and backgrounds that will be instrumental in taking this nationally renown organization to the next level,” stated Board Chairman Al Lane. “They will instantly play key roles on the board, supporting DBL through this exciting period of growth.”
Stacy Tollie
Stacy grew up in New York, though currently resides in North Carolina. After graduating from Albany Law School she became a member of the NC & NY bars and spent 20 years as a magistrate judge before returning to school in 2016 to obtain a master’s degree in health & exercise science from Wake Forest University.
Stacy has served on a number of nonprofit boards in the past and is excited to help lead DBL into the future. Dogs have brought joy and richness to her life and she is constantly awed by what they can do for people as part of a DBL team.
“I’m always amazed at what dogs can do in service of us humans,” stated Stacy. “I’m thrilled to join the board of an organization I’ve long supported to help guide it in the continuation of its excellent work.”
Garrett West
Garrett is an Oregon lawyer specializing in appellate litigation and property law. He grew up in southern Oregon and is an active member of the local community.
Garrett received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an Executive Editor of the Georgetown Environmental Law Review. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classics, Political Science, and History from the University of Oregon’s Robert D. Clark Honors College, where continues to be active in supporting the mock trial team and forensics program.
“DBL is a forward-thinking organization that is actively working to transform the way that persons with disabilities and dogs interact with the world,” said Garrett. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of such a cutting-edge nonprofit and help to change lives. I am committed to ensuring both its growth and long-term success.”
Bill Pritchett
Bill is a Senior Commercial Banking Relationship Manager and Vice President with Banner Bank in southern Oregon. Bill has been with Banner Bank since 2016 and has worked in the banking sector since 2007 and finance industry since 2000.
Bill received his Bachelor of Science Degree in History with a minor in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University.
“I am very honored and humbled to join the board,” stated Bill. “Having grown up in southern Oregon I have a great love for this area and the community, and certainly have a familiarity with DBL. I look forward to contributing to this great organization for years to come.”
At the last Board of Director’s Meeting in April, the group acknowledged and thanked outgoing board members Gary Sherwood and Ken Reeder for their service. Both longtime board members have been recognized with plaques on dog kennels inside the new Second Training Facility.
“Dogs for Better Lives continues to focus on diversifying its national board of directors and actively looking for members locally and nationally who passionately support the mission,” stated CEO Bryan Williams. “Currently, DBL is looking for board candidates working in the fields of technology, commercial real estate, legal, and marketing, among other areas.”
[Read full press release here]
