Board Candidates

Annual Meeting and Election
Wednesday, September 11, 2013, 6:30 pm
Champaign Public Library, Room B

 Anna M. Benjamin (NEW)

I write today to let you know of my interest in serving on the Board of Directors for the Champaign County Humane Society. I am a full time attorney at Meyer Capel law firm, where I have been practicing law since 2008. I am also currently serving as the Secretary for the East Central Illinois Women Attorney's Association (ECIWAA), and I have served on that board in various capacities since 2010. I have one dog, Parker, a very lovable Black Lab mix, who my husband and I adopted from the Central Missouri Humane Society when we lived in Columbia, MO.

Prior to attending law school I worked full time in the development office of a not-for-profit agency, where I wrote applications for federal and local grants and coordinated annual charity events. On the Board of ECIWAA, I have drafted our organization's newsletters and other outreach materials, coordinated our annual dinner, and assisted with the planning of our continuing legal education retreat at Allerton Park. Recently, I also spearheaded Meyer Capel's participation in the Illinois State Bar Association's Lawyers Feeding Illinois Campaign. Through this food and donation drive, our firm raised a total of 4,209 pounds of food and $3,200 for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to put my skills and energy to work for the Champaign County Humane Society. I have great respect for the staff and volunteers who take such good care of animals who have nowhere else to go, and I would be delighted to be a part of such a professional organization.

Laura Davis (NEW)

It would be an honor for me to serve on the Board of Directors at the Champaign County Humane Society. I hope that by joining the Board I can be an asset to the Champaign County Humane Society because of my passion, expertise and understanding of companion animal welfare.

I have worked in the animal behavior field for over 10 years in an academic and professional manner.  In 2007, I moved to Champaign-Urbana to enroll in a Master’s program for Companion Animal Behavior at the University of Illinois. On my first house hunting trip to the area I also made sure to stop by the local humane society, CCHS. The rest is history and upon completion of my Master’s degree, I went to work serving CCHS as a staff member and now as a volunteer. I am a professional dog trainer by trade and I currently teach dog-training classes for the Humane Society. I also work at the University of Illinois in the Animal Sciences department assisting the teaching team on animal behavior related topics.

I think that my first-hand knowledge of CCHS paired with my academic and professional experience with companion animals will enable me to bring a lot to the table if elected to the Board. I want to further pursue my service to the animals of Champaign County by joining the Board of Directors and I thank you for your consideration.

Kris Fitzpatrick (2nd Term)

I am a long-time supporter of the Champaign County Humane Society, having adopted a mixed breed Border Collie in the early 80s. Mr. Bacardi, as he came to be known, was described as a difficult to place puppy. He was quite the opposite and lived in my house for the next thirteen years providing me with endless joy and laughter. In 1994 while volunteering at CCHS, I provided hydro-therapy to a stray with a broken leg.  When the leg rebroke and was in need of additional surgery, I learned this would only be done by the UI Animal Clinic if he was a "client's dog".  Needless to say, Bob immediately became a "client's dog" and lived the next sixteen years providing me more love and devotion than I ever anticipated.

I have completed a full term on the CCHS Board of Directors and now am seeking a second full term.  While on the Board I have assisted with the annual garage sale and other fund raising activities.  I also serve on the Personnel Committee where we have just finished a complete update of the CCHS manual.  I also serve on the Strategic Planning and Memorial Garden Committees and am chair of the Nominating Committee. I anticipate many other opportunities to serve CCHS and look forward to doing so during a second term.

I am proud and honored to be a member of the CCHS Board of Directors.  This fantastic organization is truly dedicated to the absolute best care for the animals passing through the doors.  The community outreach by Clay Foley is extraordinary and each and every individual associated with CCHS deserves the utmost respect and support by the Board of Directors.  I wish to continue to serve on the Board and respectfully seek support to do so.

 Jane Hill, DVM - Running for election after being appointed in January 2013

I would like to submit my request to continue service as board member for the Champaign County Humane Society. I feel that my work and people experience make me an excellent candidate to serve on the board.  I am a member of AVMA, ISVMA and AAHA and my work and school experience are as  follows.
  • Graduated Loyola University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in May 1988
  • Graduated University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in May 1993.
  • Employed at  Stateline Veterinary Clinic in Danville Illinois from May 1993 thru May 1995
  • Employed at  Animal Medical Centers rotating through five clinics in Charleston, Mattoon, Champaign, Urbana, and Mahomet, IL from May 1995 thru Jan 1999.
  • In January of 1999 I purchased Hill Animal Care in Mahomet and currently continue to practice medicine at that location, where I employee a staff of fourteen including two part-time veterinarians..
  • During my employment at Animal Medical Centers, I performed spay/neuter services at CCHS to help with overflow surgeries.
  • Hill Animal Care had housed CCHS adoptable kitties in our reception area for 4 years.  We had many successful adoptions.
  • Hill Animal Care participated in discount spay/neuter services ("spay day") as part of CCHS week long program for low income families for several years.
  • My staff and I were top fundraisers at Mutt Strut  2012 as well as participated with booth and donations such as gift certificates and toys and participated in Mutt Strut 2013 with a booth and donations.
  • I plan to participate in the upcoming Fix-it Cat Clinic on August 24 and 25th this year. 
  • I have volunteered at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
S. Craig Kiddoo, CPA (2nd Term)

I have greatly enjoyed my first term as a member of the Humane Society Board of Directors. As such, I would very much like to be considered for a second term.

As most of you know, I have a love for animals that goes back to my childhood days. My wife and most of my children share my passion for our animal friends, resulting In a full house for us. At the moment, we personally have nine cats, five dogs and an African Grey Parrot sharing our house with us. My favorite time of the day is when I come home to be greeted by the "herd".

I strongly believe that animal welfare is an extremely necessary part of our society and feel honored to work with an organization that has continued to improve to the point where it is one of the premiere Humane Organizations for a community of our size, and in many cases, better than many larger communities shelters. I am especially proud of the job that we do in community awareness and humane education (go Clay!). The more people, especially young people, that can be engaged in learning the proper treatment and care of animals leads to better lives for pets they own and their families.

Although I did not participate in the Mutt Strut or Garage Sale this year, I hope to be able to do so again in the future. Unfortunately, back problems are still a concern, and my ability to perform any physical activities is somewhat hampered. I want to be up-front about this, as I want to help the Humane Society with my mental talents, as well as financially as I can afford to. Depending on the condition of my back, I would like to get back to the Garage Sale next year, but don't want to over-promise on my ability to help out with this event. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.