Paul Viemeister – Board President
Paul has been an educator for 38 years and counting. He has a passion for community service through giving back to the community he serves, both human and animal. As a Kiss no an and Key Club advisor, his club was awarded the Compassionate Community Service Award for the 2013. As President of Central Oregon Animal Friends, Paul understands the needs of Three Rivers Humane Society’s in caring for the countless homeless pets in Jefferson County. Having rescue dogs and cats of his own gives him the drive and perspective to support what the current director’s vision is for the health and welfare of homeless and future adopted dogs.
Ray Swift – Board Vice President
Simply put, I have been an animal lover since birth. Growing up, much to my parents objection, I would bring home hurt or stray reptiles, birds, cats and dogs. Finally I got a cat and soon after, my first dog. Haven’t let up yet, and most likely never will. I Found the few years volunteering at a shelter to be one of most rewarding and emotional experiences of my life. I hope to continue to be a member or employee of an organization that promotes responsible animal care for a long time to come.
Sheila Dooley – Secretary/Treasurer
Sheila recently retired as Library Director after 40 years at The Dalles-Wasco County Library. She volunteered for two other animal shelters previously fostering 87 dogs over a 12 year period, serving as a board member, and fundraising. She plans to help Three Rivers Humane Society and the new building project through grant writing, fundraising, and volunteering.
Mary Martin – Director
I am the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of instructional Services at Columbia Gorge Community College, where I’ve worked for 25 years.
I first joined the board of Home at Last Animal Shelter because I wanted to help animals in need and be their voice in the community.
I am very happy to return to that work with the board of Central Oregon Animal Friends.
Stephen Drynan – Executive Director/CEO
Stephen brings over 30 years of retail, operational, financial management, and animal care experience to the position. His background includes retail, wholesale, and transportation management. Coming to the nonprofit sector from the position of Terminal/Division manager for one of the largest food grade transport companies, his diverse managemnt experience has served him well completing two successful shelter restructures and in his current position as Executive Director. Stephen has also fostered a broad open door policy where community members and law enforcement officials find him to be approachable and responsive. Included in his prior nonprofit experience, Stephen and his wife Jerilee co-foundered of The Early Learning Center, a Salem nonprofit child care center. As the Business Manager and Co-Director for Home At Last Humane Society He and his wife completed their first successful restructure of a nonprofit. Stephen went on to fufill the role of Executive Director for Humane Society of the Ochocos where he and his wife Jerilee performed a second successful 1 year restructure of the organization. They co-founded Central Oregon Animal Friends in 2012 and he has been the full time Executive Director since.
Jerilee Drynan – Director of Operations /Co-Director
COAF’s Director of Operations, Jerilee Drynan, one of the founders of the Alaska Humane Society in 1978 and has been in animal welfare in different capacities since. Jerilee worked for 10 years in the Head Start program as a teacher and Site Director and went on to manage two other child care centers. Jerilee volunteered for Salem Friends of Felines for many years and she and Stephen have fostered over 500 cats and kittens. After moving to The Dalles she worked for Home At Last Humane Society for the next 6 years which included serving as an Adoption Councilor and Operations Manager/Co-Director. After completing a successful restructure of Home At Last she moved to Central Oregon where she and Stephen then completed a second successful restructure for Humane Society of The Ochocos in Prineville over the next year. They co-founded Central Oregon Animal Friends in 2012 and she has been the full time Director of Operations since.