Press

San Francisco SPCA Announces Four-Legged Leadership

Jason Walthall and Dr. Jennifer Scarlett Formally Appointed Co-Presidents

San Francisco, Jan 4 2011: The San Francisco SPCA Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Jason Walthall and Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, DVM, as permanent co-presidents. Walthall and Scarlett have served as the organization’s interim co-presidents since May 2010; their formal appointment by the board is effective immediately.

"The SF SPCA was committed to finding visionary leadership. During the time of Jason and Jennifer’s interim co-presidency, it became crystal clear that their complementary pairing was exactly what we need to lead the SF SPCA into its next successful chapter,” said Jennifer Chung, SF SPCA board chair. “Under Jason and Jennifer’s guidance, the SF SPCA has greatly expanded the services it offers and further strengthened its ability to improve the lives of animals in our community. On behalf of the board, I am extremely proud of their work and excited about their appointment.”

The SF SPCA has achieved numerous accomplishments during Walthall and Scarlett’s tenure, including:

• Further advancing the vision of a No Kill San Francisco by increasing adoptions and continuing to provide medical care and shelter to every adoptable animal
• Meeting the 25 percent increase in demand for discounted and free care
• Increasing spay and neuter surgeries by 1,000 procedures, with emphasis on subsidized and free procedures
• Increasing surrender acceptance by 150 percent, in addition to already taking nearly every treatable and adoptable animal from San Francisco Animal Care and Control
• Creating the Mobile Vaccine Clinic outreach program that provides much-needed services in San Francisco’s most at-risk neighborhoods

In addition to these accomplishments, the Board also noted Walthall and Scarlett’s commitment to building relationships with ACC, animal welfare groups and the community as whole.

This unique co-president approach provides the SF SPCA with exceptional, well-rounded leadership, taking advantage of Scarlett’s 18 years of animal welfare expertise and Walthall’s 15 years of business experience. As co-presidents, Scarlett will continue to be responsible for all shelter medical and adoption services, while Walthall will remain responsible for all financial and operational matters.

Scarlett has served as director of shelter medical services for the SF SPCA since 2007. Prior to joining the SF SPCA, she served as a lead veterinarian for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Field Services (HSVMA/FS). Walthall had previously served as chief financial officer of the SF SPCA. His background prior to the SF SPCA includes management consulting, CFO leadership of a growing retailer, and co-founding a retail business.

Corrected January 20, 2011