Board Of Directors

Jim is one of the founders of Animal Rescue Project. He has been President of the Board since the organization’s inception in May of 2010. He is the owner of The Catalyst Group, a small management consulting firm that he has operated since 1991. A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Jim was educated at the University of Chicago and Yale University.

“My heart is with pet rescue,” Jim writes, “and if I could, I’d save every last homeless pet. Fortunately, we have people in Animal Rescue Project who think with their heads and not just their hearts. The success of ARP has everything to do with Jack Frost and his team of employees and volunteers. They do extraordinary work day in and day out. They are amazing! And though they are no longer with ARP, I’d like to celebrate the accomplishments of Robin Vleugel and Eric Arnold, co-founders of the organziation and Board members and officers for many years. We miss them.”

Sarah, a Salt Lake City native, has made her home in Kalamazoo since 1998 when re-locating with her husband Phil for his job. With a professional background in the non-profit world, Sarah became an active community volunteer in the Kalamazoo community as a way to keep her “foot in the door” when deciding to say home to raise her three children. Sarah has served on the Board of Directors for Hospital Hospitality House, Portage Northern Men’s Lacrosse, and fundraising committees at the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts.

Sarah has been a proud board member of Animal Rescue Project for seven years and currently serves as Board Vice President and Co-Chair of ARP’s Capital Campaign. Sarah also spearheaded Animal Rescue Project’s Keeping People and Pets Together program, a partnership with the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission to care for the pets of individuals seeking shelter.

Sarah and her husband Phil have made animal rescue a family affair, and you’ll often find a Torrence volunteering at the shelter and assisting with fundraising events.

“Animal Rescue Project has changed my life. I am proud every day thinking of the contributions this organization makes in this community and beyond.”

When not working at ARP, Sarah enjoys traveling, watching her son play college lacrosse, and family time at Lake Michigan with her family and their three dogs Jeter, Maui and Dolly.

Jack is one of the founders of Animal Rescue Project. He has been Director of Operations since the organization was created in May of 2010 and has been involved in animal rescue since 2000, serving in a variety of organizations and a variety of roles. He is a native of Chicago

“I do this work,” Jack says, “to give voice to those who have no voices. I am passionate about saving pets and turning them into family members, and I want to make sure they find forever homes. The hardest thing I face in my role as shelter director is deciding how much to spend on medical care for sick animals that we have rescued—when you don’t have the funds to do so. Animals come to us with so many issues—sometimes people drop them off knowing what’s wrong with them, we take them on and treat them—heartworm, parvo, skin issues, eye issues, orthopedic surgeries, amputations, tumors. You need a lot of grit and tenacity to do this work. You finish addressing one animal’s needs, and half an hour later another animal comes in who needs your help. And then there’s the emotions of the volunteers and the employees—and your own emotions that can get in the way. It does get you down at times, but you have to get through it. Sometimes, I feel that my experience running the shelter is similar to the experience of an ER doctor or nurse.”

Preston grew up in Macomb, Michigan, about 45 minutes north of Detroit. After moving to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University, he decided to make the area home. It was in Kalamazoo that he met his wife and together they adopted their best friend, Duke, a black lab mix who has brought endless joy into their lives.

Preston has worked in the financial services industry for over five years and is currently a Wealth Advisor at Zhang Financial. He now serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors at Animal Rescue Project. “Adopting Duke opened my heart to the mission of shelters,” Preston shares. “It showed me that every animal has a soul and deserves the chance to live a happy life with a loving family. Being able to use my financial skills to support this work feels like a true calling.”

When he’s not serving at the shelter or working at Zhang Financial, Preston enjoys walks with his wife and Duke, serving at his local church, and spending quality time with family.

Born in Holland, Michigan, John enjoyed growing up with a big family and a loyal doggy sidekick. Not wanting to leave his beloved pup, he attended college in Holland at Hope College, graduating in 2012. When his companion was at peace, John continued onto the University of Michigan Law School. After graduation, he returned home to the west side of the state and has lived in Kalamazoo ever since, working as a corporate law attorney at Honigman LLP and assisting companies at all stages of existence, with a focus on private securities offerings and capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and general commercial matters.

He has been a proud member of the Animal Rescue Project Board since 2019 and serves as the Secretary for the organization. Although he’s currently petless, John is not above claiming his housemate’s fluffy adopted Maine Coon Daz as his own—and forcing Daz to pose for photos with him. On his days off, you can find John on the golf course, out for a run, or visiting friends and family—but most likely golfing. So if you see him around, give him a wave and remind him to get his own furball.

Torry is a proud mom of five who likes to call herself “semi-retired,” since parenting never really ends. Grow up in the West, she attended Arizona State University but has lived in the Midwest since the early 1990s. She has found not only her home but a loving community in Kalamazoo. Among other hobbies and passions, Torry is dedicated to helping every dog and cat at Animal Rescue Project find a safe and loving home. She is a firm believer that animals are the purest souls on earth.

“I always wanted to be a Veterinarian as far back as I can remember,” Dr. Eckler writes. “Helping pets and their families who love them is so rewarding. I especially enjoy helping the homeless pets. Treating an illness or injury they may have come to us with, then see them find their forever homes. It doesn’t get much better than that. I have been working with Animal Rescue Project and serving on its Board since the beginning and have witnessed thousands of dogs and cats find loving homes. I also enjoy my general practice at Gull Lake Animal Hospital in Richland, MI, and the wonderful clients I have. Rescue work is just icing on the cake. In my own time, I have a very cute dog named Cooper. We have discovered agility training and love it. It’s a great outlet for his energy! I have two kids, who, although they did not go into the Veterinary profession, share my love and understanding of how much joy a pet brings into your life.”

"Rescue can change your world,” writes Jill. “When I moved to Kalamazoo, I asked the realtor to find me a fence with a house attached so I could get involved with rescuing dogs. I met some volunteers at a pet store event, went home with a dog to foster and haven’t stopped in 18 years. In the beginning I had a list of “I’ll never take home a "_______” breed. Ha! After 405 foster dogs and puppies, I have learned to love every breed and mix. I am partial to the small breeds and especially enjoy helping little rescued mamas birth and raise their puppies. People ask, 'how do you let go of a pet that has been in your home?’ I can only say there are others waiting and we must help them to a good life.”

“Along the way I’ve learned so much, met some wonderful people, and changed the world for a lot of dogs and occasionally a cat. Now retired, my time is more flexible for whatever Animal Rescue Project needs me to do. I love meeting new volunteers and talking about our mission to anyone willing to listen.”

Maryann Flynn has called Kalamazoo home since 1997. She brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and nonprofit work to her role as an active board member of the Animal Rescue Project, where she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign.

Between enjoying her family and commitments at work, she’s a lifelong animal lover who has welcomed several rescue dogs into her family over the years — including her current companion, Beau, who came from ARP

“It is an honor,” Maryann shares, “to be part of Animal Rescue Project, an organization that offers meaningful, creative ways to give back to the community and brings joy not only to animals, but also to the people whose lives they touch.”

Natalie and her husband, Tony, an administrator at WMU, moved to Kalamazoo in 2019. She has lived, and served a variety of nonprofits, in several communities across Indiana and in Tucson, AZ, including Habitat for Humanity, Tucson Botanical Gardens, and Girls on the Run. She now works within Philanthropic Services & Development at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.

Natalie has two adult daughters, Amelia, who lives and works in the nonprofit sector in Tucson, AZ, and Maya, who is studying to become a massage therapist in Kalamazoo. Watching them become independent and courageously paving their own paths is exciting. She and Tony are pet parents to three spunky and adorable rescue pups: Abbi, Marlon, and Finley. When she’s not working, Natalie enjoys walking the dogs around Markin Glen Park, hiking, knitting, and getting to know new friends.

"I am thrilled to bring 20+ years of development experience to Animal Rescue Project during this exciting time in the organization's history! Constructing the new facility on Sprinkle Road will allow additional opportunities for community collaboration and expand ARP’s ability to connect people and pets."

Kate was born and raised in the Kalamazoo/Gull Lake area. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in child development and elementary education. Kate is married to Sherwood Boudeman and has three daughters. Her older two are now in college, and her youngest is a senior in high school.

Kate is a stay-at-home mom who has spent a lot of her time volunteering in the schools and at church. She has enjoyed attending all her girls’ sport and other activities over the years.

Kate has always had a huge love for all animals. She volunteered for many years at the Kalamazoo Nature Center in their rehab program for orphaned baby animals. Kate loves volunteering at Animal Rescue Project and feels so blessed to be on the Board with such an amazing group of people and to be part of such a wonderful organization.