Kayce Steele
PresidenT
Kayce began volunteering for GVAWL in 2014 as a dog foster and since that time, she has been a foster parent to cats and dogs, supervised adoption hours, managed social media and the website, had multiple foster fails, and later joined the Board in 2022. In 2016, Kayce was managing adoption hours when her now fiance came in to adopt a dog. She approved the adoption and six months later accepted a date from the handsome adopter and has been with him ever since. Together the couple enjoys hiking, camping, quad riding, travelling, volunteering for GVAWL and spending time with their dog Cooper and their three GVAWL rescues: Oliver (dog), Remi (dog), and Pork Chop (cat).
Kristina Hulet
Vice President
Kristina came to the Gunnison Valley as a child and never left. Spending her childhood at her grandparents’ ranch, she knew from a young age that life was just better with animals around. Once she completed high school, Kristina started her veterinary technician career, and continued that path for an additional 15 years here in the Valley. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris and three children, as well as her dog Otis and two rescue dogs Jake and Anna and two kittens from GVAWL, Lulu and Frederick. Kristina is now the VoIP Specialist at Visionary Broadband here in Gunnison and is glad to be back to work in the animal community as a board member.
Kellie Cheever
TREASURER
Gunnison is Kellie’s hometown where she grew up hearing about GVAWL and the wonderful work they do for the community. Though she’s moved around the state her love for animals has never changed. She can’t remember a time where there wasn’t a pet in the household, whether hers or not.
Kellie has been back in the Gunnison Valley for the last several years and lives with her dog Echo (pictured). When they aren’t at work, they’re spending time with family, relaxing (which consist of Kellie reading and Echo staring at her), or going on the occasional hike where Echo likes to steal sandwiches.
TL Livermore
BOARD MEMBER
TL, who has been in Gunnison not quite 55 years, can’t remember a time in his life when there wasn’t a dog in it, including recent adoptee Bear. A big believer in recycled pets, he is pleased to support GVAWL’s mission of providing a caring, supportive place for companion animals as they await their fur-ever homes.
Owner of Pat’s Screen Printing for the last 22 years, TL has also been a journalist, bookseller, airport ramp worker and adjunct lecturer at Western Then State Then College. In addition to Bear, he lives with GVAWL foundling cats Marrakesh and Na Ki’o and his wife Lynn, who was found in Wisconsin.
Geoff Berg
Board Member
Dr. Nora Grant
SECRETARY
Dr. Grant graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, worked as an associate in mixed practices in Colorado and northeast Texas, small animal general practice then relief and emergency clinic in Alabama, after which she started, owned and managed a feline exclusive practice for 20 years. Her next venture was into industry working as technical services veterinarian for 5 years with Bayer Animal Health and with Ceva Animal Health as Veterinary Services Manager for 10 years, receiving the Ceva President’s Award for Veterinary Service Manager of the Year in 2015.
Dr. Grant was past president of the Emergency Animal Clinic of Birmingham, is a member of AAFP serving on the Cat Friendly Task Force Advisory Council, American Heartworm Society, and AVMA and serves on the Fear Free Speaker’s Bureau. . She is also certified Fear Free Elite, is a Coach and Mentor and works as a Fear Free Practice Certification Consultant. In addition, she participated in Bayer Healthcare Communication program with Institute for Healthcare Communication.
Dr. Grant has served as guest lecturer at many veterinary schools and presented talks at many local and state VMA meetings, VMX and WVC, including a webinar on Puppy Socialization in Time of COVID-19 for Veterinary Summit 2020, and a webinar on Feline Elimination Issues at the 2020 AAFP Virtual Conference.
Her areas of interest are varied with communication, Fear Free, behavior and parasites of small animals especially current challenges with heartworm preventive strategies being primary interests. Personally, she loves hiking, fishing, and renovating houses.
Chris Sorensen
Board Member
Chris Sorensen and her husband, Kurt, moved to Gunnison in 2021 from Indiana, after they came to the realization that their 2 sons who had moved to Crested Butte were never going to move back. Chris retired from her position of President/CEO of a nonprofit that provided services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and also ran the public transportation service for the county. She now divides her time between working at Western, spending time with family, and enjoying the outdoors, especially with her dog and horse, throughout the year. An animal lover her entire life, she currently shares her home with Pixie (born in the master bedroom closet 15 years ago to a foster cat), Joe, her horse, 9 chickens, and Clark, a puppy adopted from a rescue. Chris also serves as a Board Member and Mentor at Antora Youth Ranch.
Jill Lazo
Board Member
Jill moved to Gunnison in 2017 with her husband, Jeff, after living in Louisville, CO for 20 years. Jill had a career with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment overseeing Assisted Living Homes. She has lived in Colorado since she was four and grew up in Boulder and Estes Park. Jill and Jeff had a rescue dog, Doolin, who had a disease and subsequently many special needs. After Doolin went
to the Rainbow Bridge, Jill started volunteering at GVAWL, wanting to give back to animals in the community. She loves it when the dogs and cats find their forever homes.
Jill enjoys being “Mamoo” to her grandchildren in Lafayette, CO and Belvedere, IL. Senior citizens are
still in her life by volunteering as the Local Ombudsman for Region 10.
Jill and Jeff welcomed a new rescue dog, Aberdeen, into their lives last year. You may find them hiking at Hartman Rocks. Be sure to say “Hi,” Aberdeen would love to meet you and hasn’t met a stranger yet!
Tamara Spezze
Shelter Manager – Non Board Member
Tamara, our Shelter Manager, has lived in Gunnison for 15 years, with her family and 5 horses, 3 goats, chickens, 3 dogs and 2 cats. She has a degree in Wildlife Management and has worked in the wildlife field as well as built and managed a dog and cat boarding kennel. When she isn’t enjoying her time at the shelter, she loves to horseback in the high country with her husband and Aussie Whiskey.
Tamara and her team of volunteers are committed to giving the best care to our shelter animals during their stay. She feels strongly that spaying/neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters. It can also protect against some cancers and may reduce many behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct. She also supports our community through education, sharing GVAWL resources and attending local events.
Whitney Schuck
Shelter Assistant – Non Board Member
Whitney Schuck is an impassioned advocate for the welfare of animals, deeply inspired by the extraordinary efforts of GVAWL in providing unparalleled care and affection to animals in need.
Her affinity for animals has been a lifelong affair, rooted in the companionship of Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepards, and more recently the joyful presence of an Orange American Shorthair cat. Driven by her commitment to give back to these creatures who offer us so much and the desire to actively participate in the remarkable work carried out to do so, her journey began as a volunteer. Whitney’s experiences as a volunteer at GVAWL deepened her understanding of the intricacies of animal care and strengthened her resolve to contribute meaningfully to their well-being. Her aspiration is to play a pivotal role in supporting GVAWL’s mission, leveraging her skills to ensure that each animal under their care receives the attention and compassion they deserve. She is genuinely excited about the prospect of contributing to GVAWL’s continued success and being a part of the collective endeavor to secure a brighter future for animals in need.