Carl Hughes is the Sales Manager at Townsquare Media Grand Junction, it was in his role at Townsquare that brought about his relationship with Roice-Hurst. As a Western Colorado native, Carl and his wife work diligently to keep pets in their lives; they currently have two dogs, a parrot, a rabbit and a hamster. Despite all the pets at home Carl enjoys the the outdoors and is an avid photographer, woodworker and traveler. He feels blessed to work with an organization that continues to foster strong community ties. 

Peter Bacich has been serving on the Roice-Hurst Board since July 2017. He is currently employed as a Senior Reporting Analyst at Rocky Mountain Health Plans. Peter choose to volunteer with the Roice-Hurst Board because of his love of animals and a sense of duty that comes with it. He feels that it is incredibly important to lend a strong voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Peter and his wife currently live with three amazing cats: Butters, Thor, and Finch and they are the light of our lives and have given us far more than we could ever give them. While there are a number of quotes that apply to my life and my worldview, one of the most appropriate for this forum is this:
“I am always doing what I cannot do yet in order to learn how to do it”
-Vincent Van Gogh

Matthew Angleman, MA, CAATP, RYT200 is a certified animal assisted therapist and yoga instructor who brings kitten yoga to Roice-Hurst Humane Society and teaches animal-assisted yoga and mindfulness at Grand Mesa Youth Services Center. Matthew’s background is in clinical mental health, crisis, trauma, and addiction counseling. More recently, Matthew has sought training and certification in animal assisted therapy and yoga. Matthew values an integrative approach in working with the community to provide comprehensive interventions that support positive health and well-being. He strongly believes that exploring the human-animal bond can support our ability to better regulate emotions, increase positive interactions, and experience more pro-social behaviors within our communities.

Jennifer is a fifth generation Grand Junction native & recently transitioned from the Executive Director of the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce to staying home with her new daughter. As the ED, she worked closely with & advocated for local businesses in addition to managing dozens of yearly events. Prior to her time at the Fruita Chamber, Jennifer worked at Grand Junction Economic Partnership on operations & events, Colorado Mesa University in the president’s office, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation managing special events and at The Capstone Group, LLC working on various issues at Colorado’s State Capitol. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Marketing and a minor in Political Science. Jennifer’s unique background has given her valuable experience and perspective into various industries and has allowed her to make connections around the Grand Valley and in Colorado. Jennifer and her husband, James, live in Fruita and enjoy spending time as a family, with their dogs and exploring all that Colorado has to offer!

Stacy Schoolfield Mendell, LSCW, AASW, CAIS, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds certificates in Animal Assisted Social Work and Canine Assisted Intervention Specialist from the University of Denver’s Institute for Human Animal Connection. Stacy has worked in mental health in the western slope community, along with her four legged co-therapists, for the past nine years. Together they have worked with the homeless and working poor, hospice patients and for the past 7 years, with children and adolescents. She currently works in her private practice, Animal Assisted Therapy of the Western Slope and serves on the Advisory Board of the Community Health Through Shelter Pets Initiative. She is an active volunteer at RHHS, facilitating pet grief and loss groups and working with the shelter animals as a foster. She also volunteers in the community, facilitating Humane Education Groups.

Dean is an attorney and Western Slope Area Manager for the Employers Council, where he advises, represents and trains employers in all phases of employment law and human resources. Dean has served on several nonprofits boards and commissions, including the Mapleton Education Foundation, the Western Colorado Center for the Arts, and the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture. Dean is currently the Vice-Chair of the Mesa County Planning Commission. Dean was rescued by Betsy, a Bernese/Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix and former resident of Roice-Hurst.