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SPCA of Texas Board of Directors
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Rugger Burke, Chair
Rugger is a native of Dallas and an alumnus of Southern Methodist University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Juris Doctor degrees. He is a partner in the law firm of Buchanan & Burke, L.L.P. Rugger enjoys reading, photography, and running. His running partner is Peaches a black and white border collie, who always wins by a nose. His service on the board is inspired by what happens every day in the adoption area. Seeing animals and people connect gives me a since of hope, makes me feel a sense of pride to be connected to an organization of such caring employees, volunteers, and donors, and provides a sense of responsibility to help continue the work of the SPCA of Texas.
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David Hudson, Vice Chair
David grew up in Waco, Texas. He graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in Finance/Accounting, and subsequently received an MBA from Baylor. After graduating from college, he moved to Dallas to begin a career in banking. After fifteen years in commercial lending with this bank, he resigned to pursue several personal interests. In 2000, he joined Sewell Lexus and is serving as a Sales Manager. He is active in the management of a family ranch in Texas, as well. Early in life, he developed an appreciation of and fondness for animals. Presently, David has two dogs. David is active in his church, serves on several local boards, enjoys working out the YMCA and is an avid runner. David is excited to be associated with the SPCA of Texas.
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Lee Dinkel, Treasurer
Lee Dinkel joined the SPCA of Texas Board of Directors in 1998 and serves as the Secretary and Treasurer. Lee has been in the banking business for 12 years and is currently the President & CEO of Grand Bank in Dallas , Texas . Lee is a native of Hays, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Kansas State University in 1990. Lee enjoys golfing, landscaping and playing with his 13-year old golden retriever, “Rookie.” Lee and his wife, Danna, live in Flower Mound, Texas with their two daughters, Savanna and Hanna.
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James Bias, President
James Bias began as President of the SPCA of Texas on May 3, 2004. Bias has been involved in animal care and control for more than 29 years. Bias was executive director of the Humane Society SPCA of Bexar County in San Antonio, where he spearheaded a fundraising campaign to build a 21,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art Humane Society Adoption and Education Center, which was completed in November 2002. A native of Arizona, Bias has lived in Texas for 35 years.
Prior to his post at the Humane Society SPCA of Bexar County, Bias was the Regional Coordinator for the Humane Society of the United States' southwest regional office. He also served as Animal Services Manager for the City of Albuquerque Animal Services, Executive Director for the Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth and as Operations Director for Citizens for Animal Protection in Houston.
Bias has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Animal Health Technology & is a former reserve Texas Peace Officer and Certified Animal Cruelty Investigator.
"James Bias is the ideal person for this position," says Thomas Karr, outgoing interim president of the SPCA of Texas. "He is a proven manager who cares about people as well as animals, and he's had considerable animal welfare operations and management experience. His recent involvement in a capital campaign for a new shelter in San Antonio is also significant."
Bias and his wife, Natalie, have several children ranging in age from one to thirteen years, as well as two dogs, four cats, a donkey, and several aquariums full of tropical fish.
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Kirk Thor
Kirk joined the SPCA of Texas Board of Directors in 2006. He moved to Dallas in 2004 with his wife, Alessandra, and their many cats: Asgard the eldest and calmest; Bronto the strongest and bravest; Pallina the prettiest and loudest; Torchy the shyest and fastest; Nemo the sweetest and smartest; and Loki the coolest and naughtiest. Each family member reinforces Kirk’s affection and appreciation for all things living and further strengthens his convictions to promote and improve the treatment and welfare of animals. Kirk is pursuing this passion through serving on the SPCA of Texas Board of Directors. When Kirk is not chasing cats he is working for JC Penney as their VP of Organization Development. In his previous lives, he has worked for the Army, NFL, and Disney as an Industrial Psychologist. On the weekends, Kirk enjoys Bonsai trees, photography, chess, racquetball, and riding motorcycles. His goal in life is to make a difference in the lives of those that cannot for themselves. Kirk believes if you have passion and show courage, you can change the world. He knows there is no better place to start than the SPCA of Texas.
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Donna Dyke Bajaj
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Gail Cooksey
Gail Cooksey, owner and president of Cooksey Communications, Inc., is a veteran Dallas/Fort Worth public relations professional with a long history of commitment to the SPCA of Texas. Before starting her own agency in 1994, she worked in the banking industry for 15 years in marketing and public relations.
Gail’s commitment and passion for animals is somewhat legendary, as witnessed by the household in Colleyville she shares with husband Robert, who works at Merrill Lynch in Las Colinas. Shadow, a black cocker spaniel, and Gracie and Burnsey, black brother and sister cats, all came home together one night in 1993 from a mobile adoption event. Sami, a blonde Papillion-Pomeranian mix, was adopted from the SPCA of Texas at a McKinney bank opening event that Gail was managing for Chase Bank (Sami was the “photo opp”). Charlotte, the newest member of the household, was a spur-of-the-moment adoption from the SPCA of Texas when a fellow board member e-mailed Charlotte’s photo to Gail.
Gail is also involved with the Public Relations Society of America, the 35W Coalition and the Dallas and Fort Worth Chambers of Commerce. She received a bachelor of journalism degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
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William Driscoll
Bill joined the SPCA of Texas Board of Directors in 2006. A native of Dallas , he graduated from UNT with a BBA in accounting in 1982 and works as a CPA specializing in taxation. Since childhood, animals have brought great joy and love to his life. Volunteering with the SPCA of Texas is the best ways to say thank you for these gifts. His Dachshunds Buddy and Irving think they rule the house. The cats, Grace and Wylie do not agree.
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Tricia Linderman
Tricia Linderman has spent more than fifteen years managing marketing and communications for organizations such as the World Cup, EDS, USA Cycling, and Texas Capital Bank. She is a native Texan and a graduate of SMU where she was a Kappa Alpha Theta. A chance meeting with a very sick dog three years ago changed her life and "Bear" is now living the good life - lots of exercise, love and an occasional Sonic ice cream cone! In addition to her animal advocacy work, Ms. Linderman is also actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation. She and her husband, David Moxam, share a love of Jackson Hole, sports and a good bottle of red wine.
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Mary Prothro
Mary grew up in Wichita Falls , TX and graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a BFA in Painting and Sculpture. She has had her own design business, Mary Prothro Interiors, for 6 years. She has 2 cats, Charlie and Morris. They are both Tabbys and look like little tigers with stripes on their backs and spots on their stomachs. She says that she is honored to be an SPCA of Texas Board member as nothing touches her heart like an animal. With the Boards energy and passion, she loves knowing we are making better lives for animals.
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Mary Spencer, Past Chair
Mary Spencer is the founder and President of The Spencer Company, one of the largest contract furniture dealerships in the Dallas metroplex. A true native of Texas , Mary grew up in Commerce where she graduated from Texas A & M / Commerce with a major in Interior Design. Mary founded The Spencer Company in 1977; today the company has over 30 employees on the sales / marketing side and 65 on the installation / service side. Mary started working with the SPCA of Texas in 1992 as a volunteer for the first “Fur Ball” and numerous other fund-raising events. She became a Board Member in 1996 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1998 to 2004. Mary has a family of 3 pets: a standard poodle, Charley, adopted from the SPCA of Texas; a black lab , Libby, rescued from Animal Control; and Ross, a perfectly marked black and white tuxedo cat, found as a kitten wandering in the streets on the 4th of July. The entire family are party animals as Mary enjoys entertaining and planning the “next event”. Charley, Libby and Ross just thoroughly enjoy being a part of the events!
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Kelly Thompson
Kelly grew up in the panhandle of Texas, attended Texas Tech University and now works as a Realtor for Ebby Halliday Preston Keller. She has lived in the metroplex for over 11 years and resides in north Dallas with husband Craig and Cassie, their special needs Sheltie. Before making the SPCA of Texas a priority, she was a sponsor for heartworm positive animals and fostered for a Sheltie rescue group. Kelly loves tennis, reading and snow skiing but her true passion is helping animals. Kelly is proud to be a part of this fabulous group of dedicated professionals who care passionately for the welfare of animals.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. “ Mohandas Gandhi
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Denise Wallace
Denise Wallace grew up in Dallas and attended The Hockaday School and the University of Texas at Austin . While having a lifelong interest and passion for animal rights and protection, she has also been active in a number of other civic and charitable organizations, including the Junior League of Dallas and the Easter Seal Society, where she chaired numerous committees, including fund-raising.
Her family includes her husband Bill, also an animal lover, two children, and five grandchildren, dogs Gracie & Lucky and cats Phoebe & Rosie (all rescue pets), as well as numerous fish, birds, and toads in her outdoor wildlife sanctuary (i.e., the back yard).
Denise joined the Board of Directors in 2006, and looks forward to making a real difference in the quality of life of animals who need a helping hand and heart.
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