Lisa Quast President & Greyfest Coordinator President@gpa-mn.org

My involvement with GPA MN began when we brought Gracie into our family in 2003 and Hobbes in 2004. They have been followed by many fosters since then. For the past six years I have held a variety of positions on the board, most recently serving as President of our chapter since 2009. I’m also the Greyfest Coordinator and an Adoption Rep, working directly with adopters to ensure successful placements. Prior to my role as President, I held the positions of Vice President and Fundraising Coordinator during which time I worked to establish and expand the very successful Heal a Hound Dinner fundraiser, celebrating it’s sixth year this coming spring. 

I have a very results-oriented personality and it is such a rewarding experience to be directly involved with the daily workings of our organization, surrounded by such a great group of members and volunteers. The impact we make on the lives of these deserving hounds is such a wonderful thing, and is made possible through dedication and passion for the cause. At my 'day job' I am a Training Manager for Siemens Hearing Instruments. I enjoy photography, crafting, cake decorating, gardening and exploring new and exciting types of craft beers.

Nicole Middlecamp  Vice President vicepresident@gpa-mn.org

I have been on the board since 2007 serving as the Foster Coordinator and also as the Vice President. I've been involved with GPA since 2005 when we got our party girl, Mardi Gras. I most enjoy working with the hauls and placing the hounds into foster homes. My husband Dan and I have two children under 3 - Willem and Madelyn - and 2 grey girls, Mardi Gras and Sadie. I enjoy traveling with my dogs and we all enjoy going up to the North Shore twice a year to hike and relax.

Michael Horrigan  Secretary & Heal a Hound Event secretary@gpa-mn.org   healahound@gpa-mn.org 

I first starting fostering in May of 2003, and I've fallen totally in love with the greyhound ever since. Over time I have become more and more involved with this organization by participating in local meet and greets and any Greyhound promotional events we attend. 

In 2009 I decided to become more involved and ran for election to the GPA MN board. During my first year I helped organize the Lost Hound Network which allows us to help quickly reach out to as many individuals as possible to help in the search for a hound that has become loose.  I have also held the public relations and  media coordinator position, helping us to start advertising our core message to a larger audience. We are so lucky to have such a great group of dedicated volunteers who are willing to devote time, energy, and resources to our group. I am proud to be contributing along side these dedicated individuals.

 
Mark Downey Treasurer treasurer@gpa-mn.org

My wife Christine and I adopted Eleanor in 2004 and started getting involved with the organization right away. After volunteering at many events, co-hosting a monthly meet & greet, fostering dozens of hounds, and adopting our second hound Ringo, I was elected to the board and have been serving as treasurer and merchandise coordinator since 2007. Come see us at the Uptown Urbanimal meet & greet on the last Sunday of every month, from 11-1!  We'd love to meet you if we haven't already.

I'm the business manager at Baby's Space, a child development nonprofit, and a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration degree. When I'm not working, studying, or immersed in a hound-related activity, you might find me cycling, playing softball, or thinking of questions to ask Siri.

Brian Clark Newsletter newsletter@gpa-mn.org

I've been an active GPA MN member since adopting my greyhounds Crash (in 2005) and Boogie (in 2006).  

My greyhounds were such a wonderful addition to my life, that I wanted to find ways to give back. I have volunteered extensively in nearly all functions of GPA MN…organizing and attending special events, coat making, and fostering hounds. I first served on the GPA board in 2007 and re-joined in 2010. I have used my business analyst skills from the software industry to help find ways to improve our processes and technology. 

I love working with the hounds and all of the dedicated members in our organization. I'm proud of what our volunteers accomplish each year and look forward to serving my next term on the board.

Curt Carter Heal a Hound, Membership Liasion, External Relations  healahound@gpa-mn.org  externalrelations@gpa-mn.org

I am a former chef, restaurateur and salesperson with a BS in Marketing. I have a lifelong love of dogs, having raised Akitas and Norwegian Elkhounds in the past. My first exposure to Greyhounds was 5 years ago - I began dating Jeanine who had adopted Zoe, a sweet brindle GPA–MN girl. Two years ago we decided it was time to “chip” and adopted Elvis, a handsome and very social boy from the Florida tracks. 

With the addition of Elvis, I felt it was time to become more active in GPA MN. I come from a family with an extensive background in non-profit volunteering and fundraising. My first efforts were donating auction items incorporating my Chef’s skills (shrimp boils and dinner parties) to Heal a Hound and Greyfest. Over the past two years, I have been active in meet & greets, the Lost Hound Network (participating in several search efforts), and volunteered at events. I have been actively working with current board members in developing new fundraising ideas, and will use my background in this area to continue to raise money for GPA MN. I also look forward to using my marketing and promotion experience to benefit GPA MN’s quest to educate the public that retired racers make excellent pets. 

Heather Everhart External Relations Coordinator  externalrelations@gpa-mn.org

My family adopted Stella (MN Monthly Pet Issue Cover Girl 12/2009!) in the fall of 2008. I began my term on the board in January of 2011. I am the External Relations Coordinator, telling the story of GPA MN through marketing, development, community partnerships, and social media. I also serve as the raffle coordinator for Greyfest. Greyhounds aside, I'm an artist and work as an administrative consultant, supporting other artists and creative small businesses in their work and studio practices. 

Lori Rasmussen Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator Volunteer@gpa-mn.org 

My husband Dan and I adopted our first greyhound, Vinny, right after our youngest child graduated from high school over 5 years ago. The kids kept us very busy with all of their activities, so we needed to fill the void as empty-nesters. Once we had a greyhound, the next logical step was to get involved! We started by driving on a haul and fostering. Since I still had time to give, we adopted another dog, Tommy. I decided to run for the Board, since it was another way I could give back to GPA. I love planning and partying, so it was natural that I would become the Event Coordinator. I try to find new ways for us to gather together with our hounds (such as Dinner with Dogs and adding new events to our calendar, etc.) 

Vinny has since passed on, and Sugar is now part of our family and keeps Tommy on his toes. We have fostered close to 30 hounds, and absolutely LOVE seeing the faces of the new adopters when they get their first greyhound. It is very rewarding.