USERL Board of Directors:
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USERL's Board of Directors consist of 5 members. The Board of Directors is the governing body of USERL. They set the policies for the organization, monitor the organization’s operations and their effectiveness, serve as public figures for the organization (fundraising, by directly donating to the non-profit and soliciting donations from others and advocating for USERL), and ensure legal and ethical integrity.
Each board member also has certain legal obligations, known as duties:
* Take reasonable care when making decisions for the organization (called “duty of care”)
* Act in the best interest of the organization (called “duty of loyalty”)
* Act in accordance with the organization’s mission (called “duty of obedience”)
* Stand aside when there is a conflict of interest" (called “recusal”)
Correspondence with the Board Members can be sent to info@userl.org.
Each board member also has certain legal obligations, known as duties:
* Take reasonable care when making decisions for the organization (called “duty of care”)
* Act in the best interest of the organization (called “duty of loyalty”)
* Act in accordance with the organization’s mission (called “duty of obedience”)
* Stand aside when there is a conflict of interest" (called “recusal”)
Correspondence with the Board Members can be sent to info@userl.org.
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[Home] [About USERL] [Regions] [NC Horses] [VA Horses] [IN Horses] [KY Horses] [IA Horses] [Foster] [Adoption] [Volunteer] [Equine Neglect] [Donate!] [USERL Store] [Contact]
Board Chair: Jennifer Malpass
Jennifer Malpass holds a degree in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College and has been a licensed Veterinary Technician with the state of North Carolina since 1996 with an emphasis on equine medicine, and a total of 26 years experience in horse care and management in the horse industry. Her medical career began at NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital as a licensed technician in the Large Animal Hospital for 3 years. Horse care education has been a forefront of Jennifer’s equine medical career and she has written for several publications in the past on equine health as a freelance writer, such as EQUUS and Southeast Equine. Her passion for education advocacy led her to the role as an Equine Cruelty Investigator for the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. in 2004. As her involvement deepened, Jennifer took on the role of USERL NC - Triangle Regional Director (2005) and as Grant Coordinator (2006). She was voted in as a Board Member in late 2006 and became Board Chair in July of 2007.
Jennifer has numerous continuing education hours for equine health and welfare including national certification in equine cruelty, and also has some law enforcement curriculum continuing education to better understand and help counties with equine cruelty cases. She is also responsible for organizing and instructing the USERL Equine Cruelty Investigation Course in NC for Animal Control and Law Enforcement. She has been deposed as an expert witness in a dozen North Carolina equine cruelty cases and assists counties with equine care education for horse owners in the prevention of equine neglect and abuse.
Jennifer Malpass holds a degree in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College and has been a licensed Veterinary Technician with the state of North Carolina since 1996 with an emphasis on equine medicine, and a total of 26 years experience in horse care and management in the horse industry. Her medical career began at NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital as a licensed technician in the Large Animal Hospital for 3 years. Horse care education has been a forefront of Jennifer’s equine medical career and she has written for several publications in the past on equine health as a freelance writer, such as EQUUS and Southeast Equine. Her passion for education advocacy led her to the role as an Equine Cruelty Investigator for the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. in 2004. As her involvement deepened, Jennifer took on the role of USERL NC - Triangle Regional Director (2005) and as Grant Coordinator (2006). She was voted in as a Board Member in late 2006 and became Board Chair in July of 2007.
Jennifer has numerous continuing education hours for equine health and welfare including national certification in equine cruelty, and also has some law enforcement curriculum continuing education to better understand and help counties with equine cruelty cases. She is also responsible for organizing and instructing the USERL Equine Cruelty Investigation Course in NC for Animal Control and Law Enforcement. She has been deposed as an expert witness in a dozen North Carolina equine cruelty cases and assists counties with equine care education for horse owners in the prevention of equine neglect and abuse.
Board Secretary: Jennifer Hack
A 20 year veteran in the Equestrian community, Jennifer graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in Elementary Education in 1993. She is a graduate H-A from the United States Pony Club, Inc. and has been a riding instructor, clinician and judge for the past 20 years, specializing in difficult horses. Jennifer came to USERL in 2001, initially volunteering to train USERL horses available for adoption. Since that time, she has, at one time or another, held almost every position within the league, from transporter to adoption and foster coordinator, to regional director.
In 2005, Jennifer was named the Investigations Director for USERL, and appointed as Executive Director in 2006. She has 8 years of experience in Equine Cruelty Investigations, is certified in Body Condition Scoring by Code III Associates and holds additional certifications from the University of MO Law Enforcement Training institute, Wake Technical Community College Continuing Education and the NCSU Extension Horse Protection Officers Short Course.
Jennifer developed, implemented and now assists in the instruction the USERL - Equine Cruelty Investigation Course which instructs Animal Control Officers and law Enforcement officials in performing equine cruelty investigations. The course is recognized as continuing education credits in NC and VA.
A 20 year veteran in the Equestrian community, Jennifer graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in Elementary Education in 1993. She is a graduate H-A from the United States Pony Club, Inc. and has been a riding instructor, clinician and judge for the past 20 years, specializing in difficult horses. Jennifer came to USERL in 2001, initially volunteering to train USERL horses available for adoption. Since that time, she has, at one time or another, held almost every position within the league, from transporter to adoption and foster coordinator, to regional director.
In 2005, Jennifer was named the Investigations Director for USERL, and appointed as Executive Director in 2006. She has 8 years of experience in Equine Cruelty Investigations, is certified in Body Condition Scoring by Code III Associates and holds additional certifications from the University of MO Law Enforcement Training institute, Wake Technical Community College Continuing Education and the NCSU Extension Horse Protection Officers Short Course.
Jennifer developed, implemented and now assists in the instruction the USERL - Equine Cruelty Investigation Course which instructs Animal Control Officers and law Enforcement officials in performing equine cruelty investigations. The course is recognized as continuing education credits in NC and VA.
Board Treasurer: Lisa Godwin
Lisa Godwin began her relationship with USERL in 2004, as a foster. She later graciously expanded her resources to USERL to include use of her beautiful farm as a Quarantine facility for incoming USERL horses, and consecutively offered transportation for horses around North Carolina. In 2007, Lisa was offered the “Secretary” position for USERL and successfully created and implemented an extensive database program to track USERL horses, both fostered and adopted, with their information and needed paperwork. This system allows all USERL coordinators to instantly check for horse information, contracts, health records, etc. for any horse in our system. In mid 2008, Lisa put her business and accounting skills to further use by becoming the USERL bookkeeper and implementing a new standard of account management under the direction of the Board of Directors for all operational USERL regions in the United States. This new accounting system has proved invaluable in helping the board members make informed decisions regarding operational costs of our Horse Program and Regional revenue/expenses. Lisa and her family are owners of a construction/footing business, Godwin Enterprises, and are the proud adopters of several USERL horses they ride for pleasure.
Lisa Godwin began her relationship with USERL in 2004, as a foster. She later graciously expanded her resources to USERL to include use of her beautiful farm as a Quarantine facility for incoming USERL horses, and consecutively offered transportation for horses around North Carolina. In 2007, Lisa was offered the “Secretary” position for USERL and successfully created and implemented an extensive database program to track USERL horses, both fostered and adopted, with their information and needed paperwork. This system allows all USERL coordinators to instantly check for horse information, contracts, health records, etc. for any horse in our system. In mid 2008, Lisa put her business and accounting skills to further use by becoming the USERL bookkeeper and implementing a new standard of account management under the direction of the Board of Directors for all operational USERL regions in the United States. This new accounting system has proved invaluable in helping the board members make informed decisions regarding operational costs of our Horse Program and Regional revenue/expenses. Lisa and her family are owners of a construction/footing business, Godwin Enterprises, and are the proud adopters of several USERL horses they ride for pleasure.
Board Member: Amy Woodard
Amy Woodard graduated from Bethany College in Bethany West Virginia with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. She is pictured here with her very first horse, Whipper Snapper, who she has had for the past 29 yrs. He is 31 years young in this photo. Amy is passionate about the proper care of older horses and has worked tirelessly to educate local horse owners in NENC. She has over 20 yrs of equine experience and has done everything from shows to lessons and beyond, as well as a previous 4H leader and serving as her county’s NC REINS representative.
Amy came to USERL after seeing a former lesson horse mistreated and malnourished. Though she was unable to save him, she is dedicated to saving each and every one she can in his memory. Amy serves as the Lead Investigator for both NENC and VATW and is proud to have been part of the rescue of over 100 horses.
Amy has been Regional Director of NENC since 2005 and in 2009 took over the directorship of the Tidewater Virginia region as well. In 2009, Amy also took over the editor’s position of the online version of the USERL Corporate Newsletter, The Equine Voice. She enjoys writing and has written several children’s book for which she donates her royalties to USERL.
Amy was named to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Amy Woodard graduated from Bethany College in Bethany West Virginia with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. She is pictured here with her very first horse, Whipper Snapper, who she has had for the past 29 yrs. He is 31 years young in this photo. Amy is passionate about the proper care of older horses and has worked tirelessly to educate local horse owners in NENC. She has over 20 yrs of equine experience and has done everything from shows to lessons and beyond, as well as a previous 4H leader and serving as her county’s NC REINS representative.
Amy came to USERL after seeing a former lesson horse mistreated and malnourished. Though she was unable to save him, she is dedicated to saving each and every one she can in his memory. Amy serves as the Lead Investigator for both NENC and VATW and is proud to have been part of the rescue of over 100 horses.
Amy has been Regional Director of NENC since 2005 and in 2009 took over the directorship of the Tidewater Virginia region as well. In 2009, Amy also took over the editor’s position of the online version of the USERL Corporate Newsletter, The Equine Voice. She enjoys writing and has written several children’s book for which she donates her royalties to USERL.
Amy was named to the Board of Directors in 2010.
Board Member: Bruce Wagman
Bruce Wagman was voted in as a Board Member for USERL in April of this year. Bruce is partner is Schiff Harden, LLP and his specialty in animal law litigation, consultation and education greatly benefits the Board of Directors for USERL. In his career, he has brought and tried multiple state and federal cases involving a wide range of animal law issues, including the following:
* Animal hoarding
* Cruelty
* Exotic animals in entertainment
* Biomedical research
* Farmed animals
* Complex animal injury cases
* Dog bite
* Animal ownership
* Veterinary malpractice
* Pet custody
Mr. Wagman has a nationwide practice and represents many animal protection groups, as well as individual clients. He is regularly published in legal and mainstream sources and is the author of the first casebook used in law schools on the subject (Animal Law), now in its fourth edition.
Click here for a complete view of Bruce Wagman's biography.
Bruce Wagman was voted in as a Board Member for USERL in April of this year. Bruce is partner is Schiff Harden, LLP and his specialty in animal law litigation, consultation and education greatly benefits the Board of Directors for USERL. In his career, he has brought and tried multiple state and federal cases involving a wide range of animal law issues, including the following:
* Animal hoarding
* Cruelty
* Exotic animals in entertainment
* Biomedical research
* Farmed animals
* Complex animal injury cases
* Dog bite
* Animal ownership
* Veterinary malpractice
* Pet custody
Mr. Wagman has a nationwide practice and represents many animal protection groups, as well as individual clients. He is regularly published in legal and mainstream sources and is the author of the first casebook used in law schools on the subject (Animal Law), now in its fourth edition.
Click here for a complete view of Bruce Wagman's biography.
