Meet the Board

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Knight, President

Cynthia and her family of four children, two dogs and husband transitioned from part time residents of Sun Valley to permanent residents in 2009. She has worked in the academic, legal and business worlds and has always found time to be involved with non profit organizations. Cynthia enjoys her daily hikes with her "odd couple" dogs; a Chesapeake and her grand-dog (her daughter's dog), an Italian Greyhound. "We are all so very fortunate to be part of a community that values the quality of life for our animals."

Rosemary Aquilante, Vice President

Rosemary’s previous life was as a life sciences project manager and a marketing and sales professional. In 1999, she discovered Elkhorn where she resides part-time with her two shelter dogs, Bandit and Tippin.  Before becoming a Director, Rosemary was an active volunteer for the shelter as a Pet Pal and dog foster parent.  Rosemary, Tippin and Bandit are passionate hikers and especially like those long back country hikes to the many beautiful lakes in the area.

 

Erin Smith, Secretary

Following careers as a commercial lender with Citibank and Chase Manhattan and then as an entrepreneur, Erin moved from New York during the 1999-2000 ski season.  After a short detour back to law school, Erin and her husband now live in Warm Springs.  They have a purebred Siamese and three shelter cats, two of whom were adopted after being abandoned in their twilight years. Erin says, “There is nothing better after a hard day of skiing than taking a nap on the sofa with a cat in my lap. We also love to go for walks with Plumpkin – a cat! – who will follow us down the street.” 

Davis Hein, Treasurer

Davis moved to the Wood River Valley from Washington DC in 2002. When Davis Hein isn rsquo;t dressed up like a mutt selling raffle tickets to benefit the shelter, he works as a Chartered Financial Analyst. His expertise helps the shelter keep on track financially. Davis and his wife have two shelter dogs, Owen and Bela. Davis retorts, “Bela tests our commitment to animal welfare almost daily. She once ate the collar off Owen’s neck. And she likes Owen!”  

 

 

 

 

Sam Cochran

Sam has been the Rental/Hardgoods Manager & Buyer for the Sun Valley Resort since 1998.  Sam graduated college with a degree in Economics/Management and joined the ski industry in Colorado.  After working and managing a ski shop there, he returned to Pepperdine University and earned his MBA.  Sam and his wife Marie raised their first dog Basel, a 140 lb Saint Bernard, while Sam served as the interim manager for a 35,000 acre ranch in Wyoming.  Currently, Sam, Marie, their daughter Emma, and dog Buddy live in Hailey.  When not hiking, Buddy's most important job is to follow Emma around at home and make sure that her stuffed animals are always within arm's reach.

 

Christine Ferguson

Christine has been volunteering for the Animal Shelter for over 12 years, including a long stint as a board member.  After a few years off the board, she decided to rejoin because of her ongoing passion for the shelter.  Her extensive advertising, graphic design, and production experience, gained over the last 25 years, is an immense benefit to the shelter.  After a successful career in the field, Christine spends almost countless hours designing and producing the shelter’s newsletters, cards, posters and advertising, in addition to managing the Marmaduke Society.  She says she is happy to be “once again working fulltime, but now not getting paid for it.  Life is good.”

 

 

Don Larson

Prior to moving to the Wood River Valley, Don worked in private equity and investment banking, raising capital and securing financing for mid-cap companies. Now his life is consumed by four golden retrievers, Arthur, Calvin, Duffy and Molly, who he says “are the best friends and most loyal and forgiving companions I will ever have.” Don is also a volunteer for the Blaine County Senior Center. 

 

 

 

Priscilla Pittiglio

Priscilla moved to the Wood River Valley from the San Francisco Bay area in 2001.  She has extensive local non-profit experience, including with the Croy Canyon Ranch Foundation, Council Circle, and the Wood River Women's Charitable Foundation.  She was a 2nd grade school teacher and also spent 15 years as an interior designer.  Now retired, Priscilla says she plays as often as possible, skate skiing, downhill skiing, swimming, doing pilates, hiking and golfing.  She lives in East Fork with a dog and her cat Gracie, who she adopted at a Shelter benefit a few years ago.