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Our Staff
The staff is the heartbeat of Humane Alliance—the engine that drives the mission. They have collectively identified boundary-busting solutions for establishing a protocol that is essential to all accomplishments of our program journey. Their efforts are great, and a clear reflection of achievements executed when a staff becomes a team. Needless to say, the staff is the indispensable element in the successful operation of a spay/neuter facility, and ours is no exception.
Our Veterinarians
Our Veterinarians
Michelle Amtower, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Amtower graduated from West Virginia University in 1987 with a B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Science, and the Ohio State University in 1990 with a DVM. She started in spay/neuter and shelter work in 1993 in Greenville, SC, helped with Humane Alliance's opening in 1994, worked relief at Humane Alliance through the '90s and made the move to Asheville and Humane Alliance in 2002. Dr. Amtower competes in various performance events (obedience, agility, carting, etc.) with her Rottweilers. The cats keep the house warm when she and the dogs go to competitions.
Anne Bayer, DVM
Veterinarian & Medical Director, Clinic
Dr. Bayer moved to Asheville in 2003 after graduating from Veterinary School at Kansas State University. She was drawn to Western North Carolina by Humane Alliance’s mission, as well as the mountains and rivers, of which she takes full advantage by kayaking, mountain biking, and camping whenever she can. She has two diminutive cats named Ross and Posh Spice and a dog named Bertha.
Karla Brestle, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Brestle graduated from NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She lives for the day that euthanasia is no longer a method of animal control, and believes that pursuing that through the mission of Humane Alliance is, in some small way, her contribution to that end. She lives with her little crew of Chihuahuas, Skye and The Pudge, in her native Smoky Mountains. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, motorcycles, photography, and woodworking.
Whitney Eure, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Eure is a native of Athens, Georgia, and completed his B.S. in Zoology and DVM at the University of Georgia. Joining us in 2001, he has organized spay/neuter clinics in Costa Rica, a collaboration between the Humane Alliance and the McKee Program. Dr. Eure has also worked with endangered Green and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles in the Florida Keys and Costa Rica. An avid whitewater paddler, he has run rivers on three continents, including several trips through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, and is an alumnus and former instructional staff member of the World Class Spirit of Atlanta, Drum and Bugle Corps. He has two cats, Frodo and Gandalf, and a dog, Shasta.
Casey Fletcher, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Fletcher received her DVM from the University of Wisconsin in 1996. In addition, she holds a B.S. in Biology/Zoology and a B.A. in Business/Computer Programming. Dr. Fletcher has been practicing small animal medicine in Asheville since moving here in 1998, and joined Humane Alliance in 2008. Casey shares her life with her husband, three children, and a large, but manageable, assortment of critters. She has strong interests in gardening, singing, crafts, tiny pickup trucks, and community outreach.
Nellie Goetz, DVM
Veterinarian & Medical Director, NSNRT
Graduating from Ohio State University in 2005, Dr. Goetz began her career with a large animal residency before moving into a small animal private practice. After cutting her teeth in the for-profit world, she realized that she wanted to concentrate her efforts on spay/neuter, helping to end shelter pet euthanasia, and joined Humane Alliance soon thereafter. She spends her free time with her husband, Matt (who is also a vet), hiking with their two dogs, picking up after their six cats, and generally enjoying Asheville.
Beth Marchitelli, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Marchitelli graduated from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. After practicing veterinary medicine in the northeast for eight years, she moved to Asheville and Humane Alliance in 2008, also working part-time at Haw Creek Animal Hospital. Areas of special interest include veterinary internal medicine and veterinary acupuncture, receiving her certification in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in 2009. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and biking throughout the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.
Melissa Saxton, DVM
Veterinarian & Medical Director, Education
Melissa Saxton left Auburn University in 1982 holding degrees in both Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine. In 2006, after 24 years in private practice in western Tennessee, she moved to western North Carolina to join the staff of Humane Alliance, where she concentrates on passing on her wealth of knowledge to participants of the extern program. When not at work, you can find her playing one of her several banjos and helping to preserve the heritage of the original Appalachian old-time music (not to be confused with bluegrass) of our region.
Our Medical Team
Our Medical Team
Josh Comstock
Lead Veterinary Assistant
Hailing from Wayne’s World’s own excellent Aurora, Illinois, Josh graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Zoology and joined Humane Alliance in 2010. He is a giant sports fan and supports the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and (unfortunately for him) Cubs. When not busy working or shouting at giant plasma TVs, he relaxes by hiking, watching movies, sleeping, and playing baseball. Josh has a Jack Russell called Turk, two cats, Rufio and Dinah, as well as two sugar gliders and a betta fish.
Carlos Espinosa
Kennel Assistant
Carlos grew up in Nicaragua, where he graduated with his B.S. in Ecology. He brought his talents to the USA as an Environmental Scientist, then decided to move from El Paso, Texas to Asheville, in search of a less harsh climate for his family. Now an avid North Carolina fan, he spends his free time enjoying the local art and culture, cycling, and exploring the mountains. In the future, Carlos is very keen on promoting Humane Alliance’s spay/neuter model in Nicaragua.
Heather Gunter, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Heather graduated from Saint Petersburg College with an AA, AS in Veterinary Technology in 2005. She moved to Leicester, NC in October 2010 with her boyfriend, Al, joining Humane Alliance in June 2011. They live with their cat, Kitty, three dogs, Mandy, Angel, and Alvin, and two goats, Bramble and Ivy. In their free time, they work on their half-acre plot and two-acre community garden, and take most of the food to the nearby homeless shelter. They also enjoy camping and hiking.
Caroline Hull, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Caroline grew up in Charleston, SC and moved to Asheville in 2008 to take the A-B Tech Vet Technician program. As soon as she heard about Humane Alliance, she vowed to join our ranks, and did so in 2011. She is a talented guitarist, though currently too shy to perform for the masses. Caroline has two cats and a Corgi called Dexter, and tends her organic garden with pride.
Tammy Knight
Veterinary Assistant
Tammy came to Humane Alliance in 2010 and fast became a supporter of the mission. She is originally from Maine, where she has two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Kassandra. She majored in Environmental Science at UMF. In her spare time, she enjoys motorcycling, hiking, and the outdoors in general. She has two happy labs, Sidney and Zoey, and Gweeto the three-legged cat.
April Kormanec, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Originally from Greensboro, NC, April moved to Asheville to attend A-B Tech's Vet Technician program, of which she is a recent graduate. Her further goals are to gain experience in the veterinary field before specializing as a Behavioral Technician. She is a firm believer in client education, animal welfare, and helping educate people about behavior issues, with hopes to decrease unwanted surrendered animals. Most of her spare time in Asheville is spent volunteering with pet therapy organizations and the Asheville Humane Society as an Open Paw Instructor, though she also finds time for photography, hiking, and pet sitting. April has a Red Nose Pitbull named Jayda.
Willa Mims, RVT
Lead Veterinary Technician
Willa moved to Asheville in 2002 from Alachua, Florida and graduated from A-B Tech’s Vet Technician program in 2006. She worked in private practice for five and a half years, becoming an RVT in 2007, before joining Humane Alliance in 2010. She lives on a small farm in Madison County, with her chickens, honeybees, and dogs, constantly reading about and applying sustainable solutions to her farming practices. She loves spending time with her partner, as well as growing, preserving, and canning food, and dreaming about a solar-paneled future.
Hunter Parry
Veterinary Assistant
Hunter retreated south from snowy upstate New York and joined Humane Alliance in July 2011, after sweating it out in Key West, FL for a number of years as a store manager. As a certified massage therapist, and owner of a Zen hairstyle, he provides a calming presence to all who need it. Hunter is an avid reader and player of animal-related video games (Sonic the Hedgehog, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and, fittingly, Altered Beast). He co-owns a quarterback-aspiring dog called Peyton.
Crystal Parsons
Veterinary Assistant
Crystal, who is originally from Baltimore, moved to Asheville for the second time in 2008, realizing that she was missing out on a good thing. She was drawn to Humane Alliance like catnip in 2009. She enjoys football with intensity, the color purple, and feral cats. She lives with her husband, Rob, four dogs, and two cats, and provides a loving foster home for local rescue groups.
Maggie Pegg
Kennel Assistant
Maggie started working at Humane Alliance in 2001, although she did get some time off for good behavior since then. Maggie is one of our luckier staff, getting to spend the most time with our patients in the kennels. She also works on her farm, with her abundance of cattle, chickens, rabbits, and grandchildren (11 and counting…). Occasionally she will be treated to a camping trip with her family.
Chevin Ray
Veterinary Assistant
Chevin graduated from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Psychology in 2006. After spending most of her life in Ohio, she moved to Asheville in 2008, where she lives with her super sweet Border Collie mix, Jersey. Chevin has big love for animals, and has worked everywhere from boarding kennels and doggie daycare, to animal shelters and vet clinics, before joining Humane Alliance in August 2011. In her free time, she enjoys listening to live music and sitting by the campfire. Occasionally, she gets to do both simultaneously.
Rachael Richardson, RVT
Veterinary Technician
Rachael recently graduated from A-B Tech with a degree in Veterinary Medical Technology and became a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2011. She shares her living space with Sassy, a senile Chihuahua she received for her 9th birthday, a crazy Bengal named Phineas, and a laid back cat named Smoka. In her extra time, she enjoys going to concerts, hiking in western North Carolina’s vast mountains, spending time with friends and family, and going to the movies.
Colleen Salter
Veterinary Assistant
Colleen is a bit of an anomaly in Asheville, in that she was born and raised here. She has, however, spent time away from the roost living in Philadelphia and Raleigh in recent years, before starting at Humane Alliance in 2010. She has two lab mixes named Addie and Jessie, and enjoys reading, hiking, and watching hockey.
Mary-Beth Selzler
Veterinary Assistant
Mary-Beth graduated from Warren Wilson College with a degree in Social Sciences, and joined us in 2009 after a three-year stint at Asheville Humane Society. When she’s not loving on Boston Terriers at work, she plays soccer and works out steadily at the gym. One of our more green-thumbed staff members, Mary-Beth cultivates her vast, organic garden and loves working in the yard. She lives with three dogs and two cats.
Laura Sparks
Veterinary Assistant
Laura moved to Asheville from Titusville, PA in 2008. Soon after that, she began working in Asheville Humane Society's medical department, before joining us in May 2011. She enjoys photography and playing drums in her band with her wife, Melissa. They are proud dog moms of their two adopted mutts, Lucien and Georgie.
Jeff Swanson
Transport Driver
Jeff spent most of his 21-year career as an Operations Manager in the airfreight industry, which transitioned nicely into the transportation of cats and dogs. He now has been able to fulfill his lifelong dream of working with animals and helping to ensure their welfare. His wife, who works as a Veterinary Technician, and he have owned a pet-sitting business since the turn of the millennium, and have always been involved in foster care and other animal advocacy endeavors. As Jeff says, “You don’t just work in this business, you feel it.” This is just one of the things that makes him extremely thankful to be part of Humane Alliance.
Our Administrative Team
Our Administrative Team
Holly Aracich
Administrative Assistant
Holly currently lives in North Asheville with her partner, and their four dogs and three cats. While Holly was born and raised in the muggy flat-lands of Florida, she fell in love with the mountains at Warren Wilson College, where she played four years of women’s basketball, coached for three, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. The happiness she has found in purchasing her own home and building a life in Asheville has led her to becoming a realtor so she could do the same for others. Holly has set a trend in doing things her own way, a special way, a not-so-average way, and that’s exactly how she treats her properties and prospects.
Sarah Hess
NSNRT Consultant
Sarah has devoted more than 20 years to the animal welfare arena. She worked with The League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio from 1991 to 2008. In 2006, she was the Executive Director of the United Coalition for Animals (UCAN) in Cincinnati, OH, and opened a high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter clinic through Humane Alliance's NSNRT program. Sarah also has more than 20 years experience in various sales and marketing positions, and currently runs her own marketing business specializing in the humane field. She lives in Asheville with her husband, daughter, and menagerie of animals.
Carolyn Jackson
Volunteer
Carolyn has been volunteering with us on Monday mornings since our doors opened in 1994. She segued into animal welfare after retiring from Mission Hospital as a Registered Nurse, which was an easy transition, given her love of animals. She has two dogs, a Manchester Terrier called Meisje and an Italian Greyhound called Sunny, both of whom take part in obedience, agility, and rally events. She also takes them to Canton library every week to take part in pet therapy sessions, where children take turns telling stories to the lucky pups to improve their reading skills.
Marianne Luft
Assistant Director
Marianne graduated from Reed College with a B.A. in Art in 2000. After living in Long Beach, Portland, and Brooklyn, she settled down in the Blue Ridge Mountains in 2003. She joined Humane Alliance in 2006 and plans on never leaving. She lives in her super-efficient concrete bunker with her husband Shelby, daughter Della, two lovable mutts and two naughty cats. She doesn't have free time anymore, but she still likes graphic novels, cocktails on porches, and arts and crafts.
Quita Mazzina
Executive Director
Quita has been with Humane Alliance since its inception in 1994 and became Executive Director in 2000. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida and her graduate degree at the University of Illinois. She specialized in curriculum design for exceptional students and worked for 10 years with the Collier County School system in Naples, FL. Under her stewardship, Humane Alliance has become a national leader in spay/neuter programs and initiatives, through its successful mentoring programs. If she has a free moment, she enjoys drinking red wine with Sidney, her adorable Chihuahua, on her lap.
Carolyn McGregor
Volunteer
Carolyn’s dream of becoming a mad scientist out of a 1950s movie almost came true when she started to run her own research program at the University of Virginia and Georgetown Medical Schools, where she taught medical, dental, and graduate students. She retired to Asheville at the turn of the millennium and thankfully found her way to Humane Alliance, where she ended up serving as president of the board of directors for a term or two. She lives with her husband, Ross, four cats, and their dog, Toby Tickles, in the middle of the woods by the Blue Ridge Parkway. Her favorite activities are yoga, gardening, hiking, and sailing, if and when she can get near the water.
Diane Pavlick
Wellness Director
A student of health and physical fitness throughout her life, Diane exists to keep us all fit and healthy. She studied Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Slippery Rock State College in her native Pennsylvania, but chose to leave before graduating to engage in entrepreneurial pursuits. Since then, she has had several businesses in Naples, FL, as well as taking multiple ethnic, vegan, and vegetarian cooking classes. Diane is a proud mom of one son, who presently attends NC State. She’s an avid tennis player, gardener, and quilter, and one mean cook.
Rob Seal
Training Program Coordinator
Rob graduated from the University of Hull with a B.A. in French in 2001, and hasn’t really used the degree since. He moved to Asheville from Chicago in 2011 with his lovely wife, where they live with their cat, Aku, in relative bliss. After spending years in various program coordinator roles, he joined Humane Alliance in summer 2011, and now feels that he has found his place in life. He is a published children’s author and is working on his first novel. He also takes pictures of unsuspecting people and even less suspecting objects, and bangs on his midlife crisis drum kit.
Amanda Sexton
Transport Director & Office Manager
Amanda, Biscuit's mom, began working horses right out of high school, squeezing in some college courses. She jumped from working with one hairy animal to another, when she started working for a trucking company dispatching hairy drivers along the East Coast. From there, she spent a few years in customer service before begging for a job at Humane Alliance in 2002. She lives with her husband, Jeff, two dogs, one cat, and two horses. Her spare time is spent riding horses or motorcycles, reading, camping, and just looking for the next adventure.
Aimee St. Arnaud
Extreme Projects Manager
Aimee joined Humane Alliance in 2012, after a long history working alongside us. She was most recently a program manager for PetSmart Charities, where she mentored individuals and organizations starting high volume spay/neuter programs, and helped existing programs increase their capacity and efficiency. Prior to that, Aimee worked with the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society, as well as for her local Toledo Area Humane Society. One of Aimee’s proudest accomplishments is founding Humane Ohio, using the Humane Alliance model to operate a high volume, high quality spay/neuter clinic. She remains on their board. Aimee lives in Ohio, with her “children” - dogs Bosley and Paris, and cats Madison and Sockeye.
Bryan Way
Media Content Creator
After cycle-touring across Europe and Africa in 2012, Bryan moved to Asheville upon hearing there were mountains here. Graduating from Bridgewater State University with a B.A. in English and Creative Writing in 2011, he joined Humane Alliance in early 2013. His video work can be sampled on our YouTube page and social media accounts. In his spare time he runs a small web design firm and tries to climb as many mountains as he can. He likes whiskey, tacos, reading the last paragraph in books, and is currently working on his fourth screenplay.
Daniela Wells, RVT
Director of Clinic Operations
Daniela graduated from Central Carolina College with a Veterinary Technology degree in 1990. She joined the Humane Alliance staff as their first veterinary technician when we opened our doors in 1994, later becoming our beloved Director of Clinic Operations in 2003. Daniela has three grown sons, two grandsons, and a veritable Noah's Ark of dogs and cats, including the feline daredevil, Homer. She enjoys cruises to the Bahamas, cruising the aisles at thrift stores, and Tom Cruise.