meet the board

Executive Committee

Kathe Neyer, RN, BA, Board Chair
is a retired nurse with over 40 years experience, and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She has over 25 years of experience in training and evaluating therapy and service dogs, and is a partnered with a service dog. She previously served as a public access tester and evaluator for a local service dog training program. Kathe is serving as the Director of our local and Outreach Certification Program and is actively involved in preparing the FSDS for ADI Accreditation.

Jeannie Gambill B.S., MBA, Board Treasurer- the FSDS is pleased to welcome Jeannie to the Board of Directors effective Oct. 29, 2011. Bio forthcoming.

Andrea Kenner, B.S, Board Vice-Chair is a writer with extensive experience in technical and marketing communications. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland University College and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in journalism. Andrea is a Catster mom who shares a lifelong love of animals with every other member of the FSDS Board of Directors. She is actively involved in helping to utilize our website to effectively market our safety and training programs.

CJ Betancourt MD, Executive Director
is a retired physician and is partnered with a service dog. She has lived with physical disabilities since 1973. CJ has over 35 years of experience in the medical field including the practice of medicine, medical directorship, research, statistical analysis, database design and education. CJ is one of the co-founders of the FSDS. She is involved in grant writing, developing policy and procedure, ADI Accreditation and expansion of youth education.

Regular Board Members

Wayne Svoboda DVM is a local veterinarian who has donated his time and expertise for over 20 years to provide canine safety training and veterinary care to police K9 teams. He has joined the FSDS to oversee curriculum for our Canine Safety Program and will lead the efforts to expand our training to include advanced canine life support. Wayne's love for animals, professional expertise and demonstrated commitment to community make him a valuable asset to the FSDS.

Jon Corey, PhD is a distinguished and highly decorated military veteran who served as an operations psychologist in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in military intelligence duties, primarily in Europe. Jon has served as a professor in psychology and an advisor on a variety of projects, both private and government. He has joined the Board to help the FSDS develop strategies for growth and community outreach. Jon is an avid dog lover and has two German Shepherds