Leadership

Tom Colvin

Tom Colvin has been instrumental in the state of Iowa for animal protection work since 1974. He began his work as a Certified Veterinary Technician in Waterloo, Iowa. He went onto become the director of the Black Hawk Humane Society (now called Cedar Bend).

Tom moved to Des Moines in 1993 to become the shelter director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL). In 1995, he was appointed the ARL’s Executive Director, a position he has held since. Tom led the initiative to build a new 43,000 square foot shelter, which was completed in October 2008.

Tom has served as the President of the Iowa Federation of Humane Societies since 1981 and also currently serves on the Iowa State University External Stakeholders Advisory Group, on the board of the Better Business Bureau, and previously on the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine and Iowa Wildlife Center. He is also a member of The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (formerly Society of Animal Welfare Administrators) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which promotes ethical fundraising practices. He has also been a wildlife rehabilitator and has served on Iowa deer taskforce committees.

Tom has worked tirelessly on legislation to strengthen Iowa’s laws for animal protection, including extensive work to address animal cruelty and puppy mills in Iowa. He has received awards for his efforts in legislation, including his work to enact the animal shelter mandatory spay/neuter law in 1993 and the felony animal abuse law in 2000. Recent successes in legislation have resulted in prohibiting giving pets as prizes, felony animal fighting laws, and in 2010, the passing of the Puppy Mill Bill.

Under Tom’s leadership and direction, the Animal Rescue of Iowa has repeatedly been honored with local “Best Non-Profit” awards, has been named a “Top-Rated Non-Profit” by Great NonProfits since 2013, and in 2015 was recognized nationally as the “Shelter of the Year”.

Carol Griglione

In March of 2025, Carol Griglione was named the Executive Director of the ARL, overseeing all ARL day-to-day operations, including the director leadership team of the ARL.

Carol has been involved with the ARL since 1993 and served as Board President for over 30 years. She co-led the capital campaign to build a new shelter in the early 2000’s and was instrumental in helping to develop ARL programs and initiatives relating to animal welfare, advocacy for spaying/neutering companion pets, and adoption of animals from shelters, many of which are still in place today. Carol also developed the ARL’s TNR program and created the Shelter Cat Getaway program, leading it for many years, as well as working extensively with cat behavior and speaking at many different forums on subjects relating to cats.

At the same time she was serving as Board President for the ARL, a volunteer position, her career began at Principal in 1985. She served as the Senior Administrator and Executive Advisor for over 40 years until her retirement in 2025 when she accepted the position as Executive Director at the ARL. In her role at Principal, she oversaw 12 budgets for three different areas at the company, worked on operational plans, and oversaw day-to-day operations, including managing over 43 members of the Law Department, recruiting and onboarding hires from across the United States, and managing multiple committees and the Law Library, IT operations and interns. Prior to her retirement from Principal, she also worked with the Compliance and Government Affairs divisions, providing support and oversight to certain day-to-day operations.

Carol also served as the state director for HSUS for five years and led animal welfare legislative efforts, growing grassroots in Iowa for animal welfare.

Carol co-authored the book “For Love of Cats” and hosted the ARL Podcast “For Love of Animals.”

Education/Designations

• Bachelor’s in Corporate Communications from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa
• Master’s in Public Administration Degree in Nonprofit Management from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
• SHRM certification

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa Foundation
• Board Member, Iowa Federation of Humane Societies
• Chair, Raise Your Paw auction fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (hosts a sell-out crowd of over 850 attendees and nearly 500 items)
• Formerly a consultant and State Director for Iowa, Humane Society of the United States
• Named to the Business Record’s “Forty Under 40” in 2002
• Named a Business Record “Woman of Influence” in 2010
• Member of the Association of Legal Administrators, including the Iowa chapter

Various certifications in animal welfare.

KC Routos

KC Routos is the ARL’s Director of Development and Communications. She earned her Master’s in Business Leadership from William Penn University after relocating to Oskaloosa from Seattle, WA, on a softball scholarship. During her time in the graduate program, KC began her career in events, where she enjoyed meeting a variety of people and making genuine connections. KC has always had a passion for helping people and pets. She currently volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

KC Routos joined the ARL in February 2019 as Event Coordinator, moved into a management role in late 2019, and in January 2023 was promoted to Director of Development. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which promotes ethical fundraising practices, and is responsible for overseeing and leading the organization’s development and communications teams.

Dr. Dan Campbell

Dr. Dan Campbell is the Senior Director of Veterinary Services at the ARL. Dr. Campbell has been a practicing veterinarian since 1987. After graduating from Iowa State University, he began his veterinary career in private practice at Village Veterinary Hospital in Johnston where he worked as one of the clinic veterinarians for 12 years. With the support of his former boss and friend Dr. Randy Mertens he began his relationship with the ARL by providing pro bono assistance to pets in need, from spay/neuter surgeries to emergency service.

In 2000 Dr. Campbell was approached by the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) and asked to be the first on-staff veterinarian at the ARL and he accepted the position of Chief Staff Veterinarian. In 2011, Dr. Campbell celebrated a milestone by performing his 50,000th spay/neuter surgery of animals at the ARL. As an extremely skilled surgeon, Dr. Campbell has performed countless other surgeries to give animals of many species a chance for a healthy life. Additionally, Dr. Campbell went to Mississippi to help animals during Hurricane Katrina, and has been to hoarding and puppy mill cases all over Iowa.

He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Iowa Veterinary Rapid Response Team, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association and is on the Board of the Iowa Federation of Humane Societies.

Megan Matamoros

Megan is the ARL’s Director of Shelter Operations. She comes with over 13 years of animal care experience with exotic and domestic animals. She has worked at several non-profit organizations. She earned a B.S. in Zoology from University of West Florida. Megan regularly volunteers with the ARL’s Therapets program and enjoys educating the community about responsible pet ownership.

Megan Matamoros joined the ARL in March of 2024 and is responsible for overseeing and leading shelter team’s operations.

Dr. Millie Cates

Dr. Cates is the Director of Veterinary Medical Services at the ARL, overseeing the medical department. While attending the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Cates first found her passion for shelter medicine. Immediately following her graduation,  she began working for the ARL as a Staff Veterinarian.

During her time at the ARL, Dr. Cates has seen a variety of positions, including Staff Veterinarian (2017-2019), Medical Department Supervisor (2019-2022), Senior Manager of Veterinary Services (2022-2024), and Director of Veterinary Medical Services (2024-Present). Dr. Cates is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians.

Chris Henderson

Chris Henderson is the ARL’s General Counsel. Chris has been practicing law since his graduation from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1989. He came to the ARL after a 28-year career at Principal Financial Group, where he was Vice President and Associate General Counsel and led the legal team supporting Principal’s global asset management business.

Chris has also been involved in nonprofit support through his many years of service on the board of Balance Autism. He currently serves as Board President of Balance Autism.

Chris joined the ARL in January 2022 and is responsible for the ARL’s legal affairs.

Rachel Weis

Rachel Weis is the ARL’s Director of Human Resources. She earned her Master’s in Human Resources Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University – Global and certification as a SHRM-SCP from the Society of Human Resources Management. She began her career in Human Resources because of her passion for helping others be successful. With 2 dogs of her own, Rachel enjoys serving an organization that allows her to be a part of helping both people and pets.

Rachel joined the ARL in September of 2024 and is responsible for overseeing and leading Human Resources operations.

Steve Rohrer

Steve Rohrer is the Director of Community Partnerships and Animals Services and joined the ARL in 2024. The previous 29 years, Steve worked in several leadership roles in the television broadcast industry, concluding with eight years as the Vice President and General Manager of FOX 17 in Des Moines. Steve graduated with a Communications degree at UW-Madison in 1995 and has been animal-lover his entire life. During Steve’s broadcast career, he won various awards and served on the Iowa Broadcasters Association Board. Throughout his life, he and his family have adopted and fostered several dogs from various humane societies and animal rescues. Steve has supported several non-profits over the years including the ARL during his time at FOX promoting their events and causes.

Joseph Crock

Scott Christensen

Scott is responsible for the management and strategic direction of these two companies providing deposit, trust, and custody services to customers of Principal.   Principal Bank and Principal Trust Company combined have approximately $1 trillion of Assets Under Administration making it a top 10 trustee and custodian in the United States.  Principal Bank also has approximately $8 billion of deposits making it the largest bank domiciled in the state of Iowa.

Scott has also served other roles at the company including Chief Executive Officer for Principal Advised Services, Chief Financial Officer for Principal Securities, Investment Risk Officer for Principal Life Insurance Company (PLIC), and Global Derivative Oversight Director for Principal Financial Group (PFG).

Education/Designations

• Bachelor of Arts in Actuarial Science and History from University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1993
• Fellow, Society of Actuaries
• FSA, MAAA, CFA
• Series 27 Securities Liscense

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• American Academy of Actuaries
• CFA Institute
• Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Board member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. Foundation

Bernard Lettington

Bernie is a Senior Systems Engineer with Collins Aerospace. Bernie’s primary responsibilities are related to the development of requirements, design, and planning and execution of the verification of integrated avionics systems for a variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, in particular ongoing avionics upgrades to the KC-135 tanker aircraft, helping maintain this 60 year old airframe through a projected 100 year service life. Prior to joining Collins in 2000, Bernie was a systems engineer and engineering manager with the Boeing Space Systems Company in Huntington Beach, CA where he contributed to the development of the International Space Station and Delta III launch vehicle. Bernie’s expertise includes requirements development, design, and verification of complex aerospace systems, project management, information management, and aviation regulatory compliance.

He became involved in animal welfare work following the epic floods of Cedar Rapids in 2007, assisting at the temporary animal shelter established in the aftermath of the disaster, and ultimately serving as the President of the Board of Directors of the Cedar Valley Humane Society before joining the board of the ARL. With the ARL he is active in legislative issues, statistical analysis, and related policy development.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University 1988
• Master of Library Science, San Jose State University 1994

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• Board Secretary, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Treasurer, Iowa Federation of Humane Societies
• Past Board President, Cedar Valley Humane Society, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Member, International Council on Systems Engineering

Jeff Coller

Jeff is a CPA with over 15 years of experience in accounting, tax, and finance. He joined Baker Group as Controller in 2021. In this role, he oversees the accounting department, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls. He also collaborates with external partners and HR on various business matters.

Prior to joining Baker Group, Jeff held both tax and audit roles at RSM, and served in various capacities in accounting and finance at R&R Realty Group.

Education/Designations

• Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, University of Northern Iowa, 2006
• Masters of Accounting, University of Northern Iowa, 2007

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Iowa Society of CPAs
• Construction Financial Managers Association
• Board member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Board member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa Foundation

Adam Shaikh

Adam joined Principal Life Insurance Company in 2006 as Counsel. Prior to coming to Principal, Adam practiced securities and corporate law in Las Vegas. At Principal, Adam works primarily with corporate and securities issues related to the mutual funds and ETFs offered by the Principal Funds.

Education/Designations

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 1996
• Juris Doctor, Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa 1999

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• Member, State Bar of Iowa
• Board member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Board member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. Foundation

Phil Akason

Phil joined DSM Property Services in 2021 as CFO and partner. He has worked in various aspects of finance and accounting since 1991 and specialized in commercial real estate. Prior to joining DSM, Phil worked for Terrus Real Estate Group, Wells Fargo, Principal Financial Group and Ernst & Young.

Education/Designations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Master of Business Administration, Drake University
• Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, University of Northern Iowa

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Animal Rescue League of Iowa Foundation Board of Directors
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Iowa Chapter Board of Trustees
• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI) Class of 2005-2006

Chris Costa

Chris Costa began his career with Knapp Properties in 1997 and currently serves as its President and CEO. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1987, he joined the Des Moines office of Deloitte & Touche, where he also attained the designation of Certified Public Accountant. In 1993, he joined Knapp Construction, a residential construction company, and served as its Chief Financial Officer. In 1997, Chris joined Knapp Properties.

Chris’ responsibilities include setting and leading company strategy, and oversight of all operations within Knapp Properties, LC, including brokerage, property management, development, and administration.

Chris was a member of the 2007-2008 Greater Des Moines Leadership Class. In addition to his activities at Knapp Properties, Chris currently serves on many local boards.

Community Involvement

• Chairman of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Economic Development Board
• Executive Committee for the Greater Des Moines Partnership Board
• Easterseals Iowa Chairperson
• Prairie Meadows Board of Director
• Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. Board Member
• ICON Water Trails Board Member
• Great Outdoor Foundation Board Member
• Iowa State Bank Board Member
• DMACC Foundation Board Member
• West Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commissioner
• Dallas County Local Housing Trust Board Member
• Greater Des Moines Partnership Development Council
• University of Iowa Reach Board Member

Alex Duong

As a first-generation Asian-American, I’ve always looked to my parents’ hard work and dedication as factors that drove my successes in the workplace and the community. My parents have sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today.

Education

• Drake University

Community Involvement

• Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL), Board of Directors (2021 to Present)
• Des Moines Public Library Foundation, Board of Directors (2015 to Present); Executive Committee; and Chair of Special Events (2021 to Present)
• Iowa Asian Alliance – Marketing and Social Media Director (2015 to Present)
• Chair, Raise Your Paw auction fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (hosts a sell out crowd of over 850 attendees and nearly 500 items)
• IAA’s CelebrAsian Festival Leadership Team – PR & Marketing Chair

Accomplishments

• 2016 Passport to Prosperity Honoree – “Iowa International Center”
• Forty Under 40 – Class of 2016 – “The Des Moines Business Record”
• 2015 Central Iowa Young Professional of the Year, YPC Ashley Okland Community Service Award
• 2013 Young Professionals Connection Committee Member of the Year for Marketing

Carol Griglione

In March of 2025, Carol Griglione was named the Executive Director of the ARL, overseeing all ARL day-to-day operations, including the director leadership team of the ARL.

Carol has been involved with the ARL since 1993 and served as Board President for over 30 years. She co-led the capital campaign to build a new shelter in the early 2000’s and was instrumental in helping to develop ARL programs and initiatives relating to animal welfare, advocacy for spaying/neutering companion pets, and adoption of animals from shelters, many of which are still in place today. Carol also developed the ARL’s TNR program and created the Shelter Cat Getaway program, leading it for many years, as well as working extensively with cat behavior and speaking at many different forums on subjects relating to cats.

At the same time she was serving as Board President for the ARL, a volunteer position, her career began at Principal in 1985. She served as the Senior Administrator and Executive Advisor for over 40 years until her retirement in 2025 when she accepted the position as Executive Director at the ARL. In her role at Principal, she oversaw 12 budgets for three different areas at the company, worked on operational plans, and oversaw day-to-day operations, including managing over 43 members of the Law Department, recruiting and onboarding hires from across the United States, and managing multiple committees and the Law Library, IT operations and interns. Prior to her retirement from Principal, she also worked with the Compliance and Government Affairs divisions, providing support and oversight to certain day-to-day operations.

Carol also served as the state director for HSUS for five years and led animal welfare legislative efforts, growing grassroots in Iowa for animal welfare.

Carol co-authored the book “For Love of Cats” and hosted the ARL Podcast “For Love of Animals.”

Education/Designations

• Bachelor’s in Corporate Communications from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa
• Master’s in Public Administration Degree in Nonprofit Management from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
• SHRM certification

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa Foundation
• Board Member, Iowa Federation of Humane Societies
• Chair, Raise Your Paw auction fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (hosts a sell-out crowd of over 850 attendees and nearly 500 items)
• Formerly a consultant and State Director for Iowa, Humane Society of the United States
• Named to the Business Record’s “Forty Under 40” in 2002
• Named a Business Record “Woman of Influence” in 2010
• Member of the Association of Legal Administrators, including the Iowa chapter

Various certifications in animal welfare.

Rajee Harris

Rajee is the Chief Operating Officer of the Real Estate Operating Company Investments at Principal Real Estate, a top-10 global real estate investment manager. He is responsible for providing strategic and tactical support of the real estate operating company (REOC) business. He is closely involved in underwriting, structuring, closing, financing, and managing North America and Europe REOC investment opportunities, and serves as the primary operational and financial liaison between Principal, its clients, and senior management teams of the REOCs.

Rajee is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Illinois and started his career at Principal in 2013 as a member of the legal department. In his role as legal counsel, he supported numerous businesses within Principal practicing in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, contract procurement, and private equity real estate. From 2018-2021, Rajee worked for a Chicago-based, private equity real estate investment manager as a Managing Director. In this role, he served on the firm’s Strategic Initiatives Group where he co-led enterprise risk management efforts and supported key initiatives across investment, business, and financial management functions in a dual, business/legal role.

Education/Designations

• Juris Doctor & Master of Business Administration | Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa
• Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Management & Marketing | Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
• Licensed to practice law in Iowa and Illinois

Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities

• Board of Directors, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
• Board of Directors, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
• Advisory Committee, Sustainable Development Code
• Board of Counselors, Drake University Law School (2016-2022)
• Board of Directors, Drake University Law School Recent Alumni Engagement Board (2020-2021)
• Greater Des Moines Leadership Institution – CLP Program, Class of 2018

Lauren McAnelly

Lauren McAnelly is an Iowa captive who lives with her husband in the Drake neighborhood of Des Moines. She’s a veteran dog mom of Daphne and Dexter (a rescue from the ARL in 2019) and a new human mom to her son Odin.

Professionally she blended her B.S. in Communicative Arts with her Culinary Arts degree to create a career as a Food Stylist for Dotdash Meredith. As a lover of animals Lauren has donated her time and expertise for live auction cooking and baking classes at recent ARL events. She is looking forward to serving as a board member and becoming an even more active supporter of the ARL and the great work they do to advocate for the animals of Iowa and their human families.

Kathleen Worth

After receiving education from West Virginia University, Kathleen Jafarace Worth held manager positions at companies such as Broadway Barefoot Sandals, Bath and Body Works, and Talbots. She moved to Des Moines, in 1999, from South Carolina and has spent recent years raising her children and serving her community. Kathleen volunteers her time to Dowling Catholic High School, and has served on the Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s Board of Directors since 2006.

Education/Designations

• West Virginia University

Management Experience

• Broadway Barefoot Sandals
• Bath and Body Works
• Talbots assistant manager

Volunteer Activities

• ARL Board 2006 to present
• Dowling Catholic High School

Joseph Crock