On May 5, our board held its annual meeting to review our accomplishments in 2024, discuss plans for the next 12 months, fill two board vacancies, and elect officers. We’re happy to announce that Jann Lee and Gabriel Antonio Ramírez Ramírez have agreed to serve on the board of directors.
Jann, who moved to Guanajuato from Vermont in 2019, is a life-long defender of animal rights. She has served as a volunteer on the boards of two other animal-welfare organizations, Mauritius Primate Rescue and Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals. She participated in the planning of our annual fiesta in February and plans to continue helping us with fundraising. She also volunteers at Guanajuato’s English Language Library.
Gabriel—or Gabo, as his friends call him—has been a regular volunteer at our sterilization campaigns since November of 2023. He graduated with a law degree from the Universidad de Guanajuato in December of 2024 and is now a member of the Federal Judiciary of Mexico. He works in the legal department of the Federal Electric Commission (CFE). Gabo’s other interests are ballet and Muay Thai martial arts. He’s been a member of the University of Guanajuato’s ballet group for two years.
Amigos board members are elected to two-year terms but are eligible and encouraged to serve longer. Our officers are elected each year. Currently, board members who are continuing their terms or have been reelected to new ones are Tom Reavley, president; Suzy Thompson, vice president; Liz Carranza, secretary; and Joslyn Lewis, treasurer. Rosemarie Conde, Julia Salido, and Sandra Ward are members at large. Nancy Hager is secretary of our U.S. corporation.
Bill Merrell and Saul Helfenbein served on our board for several years but have decided to step back and focus on other activities. We’re grateful to their service to the organization.