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 Torrence is an active community volunteer with a professional background in the non-profit world, specifically disability advocacy work. When she isn’t chasing her three teenage children around on the football, soccer, and lacrosse fields she can be found curled up with a good book or enjoying a sunset on Lake Michigan with her husband Phil and her three canine kids Dutch, Jeter, and Maui.

As a lifetime animal lover, Sarah is thrilled to be involved with the work that ARP does on a daily basis in the Kalamazoo community and beyond.

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.

A native of California, Torry has lived in Kalamazoo since 1997. She is married to Dr. Michael Chafty and has five wonderful children. The oldest lives in Atlanta, the next three are triplet boys who are juniors in high school. The family is completed by a daughter who is a sophomore in high school. The Chafty family also includes three happy rescue dogs that have added to the household’s “beautiful chaos.”

Torry stays at home to run the show and enjoys her pasttimes of gardening, traveling, reading and golf when time allows. She also loves to make time for her treasured friendships and of course enjoys her time serving on the board of Animal Rescue Project.

“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 the beginning I had a list of “I’ll never take home a ________” breeds. Ha! After 295 foster dogs and puppies, I have learned to love every breed. I am partial to the small breeds and especially enjoy helping little rescued mamas birth their puppies.

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. In my work day, I manage a group of staff at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. We help people with disabilities prepare for employment and land jobs.”

A Michigander by birth, Maryann Flynn came to Kalamazoo in 1997, introducing her oldest son to this wonderful community. Over the years, Maryann and her family have had cats, a rabbit named Harvey, and four dogs, including their current rescue Miss Charley, who is adored. Together with her husband Michael, a local architect, and two sons, Scott and Logan, the Flynns recognize the joy that animals bring to a family. Maryann is a huge believer in karma and has enjoyed working on major community projects like the first Borgess Marathon, the Community Anchor project with the Turn 2 Foundation, and research for the YMCA health summit to name a few. These days, she stays busy as a menswear stylist for J.Hilburn and helps her youngest son prepare for college. She enjoys daily walks with friends and family time. “Life for me is about the lessons learned from kindness and how we leave our world a better place,” Maryann writes. “The work of Animal Rescue Project touches my heart. It is an organization that brings happiness to all involved.”

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.