Board of Directors

Frank Reichert brings decades of business leadership experience as a retired District Manager in wholesale distribution. His career focus on building top-notch operations and driving constant improvement has shaped his approach to tackling shelter challenges from a strategic business perspective. He continues to share his expertise as a volunteer coach and mentor for professional sales people and business managers.

Frank has served on the GJAS board since 2021, bringing his comprehensive business acumen to support the organization's growth and development. His proudest achievement during his tenure has been playing a key role in the shelter's addition and renovation project, helping to expand the facility's capacity to serve animals in need.

Frank's love for animals is deeply personal, shaped by his lifelong companions Cabo and Wabo, Border Collie mixed-breed brothers who were found as puppies on the road and became beloved family members for 15 years.

A Fayette County native, Frank grew up immersed in farming and ranching life, which instilled his deep appreciation for animals. When he moved back to the area, he felt compelled to give back to his community. He was drawn to the shelter's mission and Teresa's leadership, recognizing an opportunity where he could make a meaningful difference.

Frank's vision extends beyond his current service, hoping to establish long-term positive impacts that will benefit the shelter and the animals it serves for years to come. In his tenure of service as President of the GJAS Board, his commitment to operational excellence and financial sustainability reflects his dedication to building a strong foundation for the organization's future success.

Denise Wolff is retired from the LCRA after 30 years in the public power industry. She brings extensive experience in contract and project management and supervision to her role on the GJAS board. Her professional expertise in managing complex projects, coupled with her deep understanding of organizational dynamics, provides valuable strategic support to the shelter's operations and growth initiatives.

With thirty years of volunteerism and nonprofit board service across the United States, Denise has developed a comprehensive understanding of nonprofit governance, local government relations, and board responsibilities. Her diverse experience spans multiple sectors and geographic regions, giving her a unique perspective on effective organizational leadership.

In 1989, Denise demonstrated her commitment to environmental stewardship by co-founding Fayette County's current recycling center while working with LCRA. Collaborating with the mayor and county officials, she helped establish this vital community resource, showcasing her ability to bridge public and private sectors for community benefit.

Denise’s nonprofit involvement centers on three deeply held passions: domestic violence prevention, recycling and environmental protection, and animal welfare. When invited to serve on the GJAS board, she was honored to contribute to one of these core areas of commitment.

Denise holds a bachelor's degree from St Edward's University in business management, an MBA from Texas State University and is a certified PMP (project management professional).

Teresa Brown brings more than three decades of leadership experience and a deep commitment to community service to the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter. After spending 30 years in corporate America in staff management, sales, and recruiting, she retired from FedEx Office in 2013 and shifted her focus toward helping others in Fayette County. She became a personal trainer for senior citizens, blending her professional strengths with her passion for supporting people in her community.

In 2018, Teresa began the journey to become a Certified Canine Obedience Trainer — a path that led her to volunteer at Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter. Her dedication quickly became evident, and in January 2020 she accepted the role of Executive Director. Under her leadership, the shelter built lifesaving and enrichment programs, drastically reduced the euthanasia rate, and achieved a 97% live-release rate that was sustained throughout her tenure.

Teresa also led a major capital campaign and oversaw a 3,500-square-foot expansion and renovation of the existing facility. Completed in 2025, this project created a healthier, more functional environment for the animals in the shelter’s care and significantly improved the experience for the community, adopters, staff, and volunteers. The updated facility reflects her belief that compassionate care begins with a safe, clean, and welcoming space.

Her passion for bringing the community together to protect vulnerable animals shaped the shelter’s culture and long-term success. She built the volunteer and foster programs, as well as the rescue and transport partnerships that continue to save lives today.

After retiring in April 2026, Teresa joined the Board of Directors, where she continues to provide thoughtful stewardship and guidance. Her commitment to collaboration, compassion, and the belief that every life matters remains central to the mission of Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter. Teresa’s belief is that “We cannot save them all, but there is no reason we shouldn’t try.”

Kim Bartos brings over 35 years of progressive leadership experience with a major insurance company to her role on the GJAS board. As a multifaceted business and finance executive, she has developed expertise across finance, sales, risk management, product management, and business strategy. Her "big picture" perspective enables her to improve organizational performance by creating shared vision, anticipating and resolving business challenges, and delivering consistent results.

Throughout her career, Kim has demonstrated the ability to shape organizational futures through strategic thinking and collaborative leadership. She applies these same principles to her board service, working with her peers to solve complex issues and guide GJAS toward long-term sustainability and success.

Kim's path to the GJAS board began with her deep passion for animal welfare, which initially led her to volunteer at the shelter. Her natural curiosity and desire to understand the shelter's inner workings drove her to explore operations more deeply. As her knowledge and understanding grew, so did her commitment to ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability. This dedication and growing expertise ultimately inspired her to join the Board of Directors in 2023.

Beyond her GJAS commitment, Kim remains active in community service through volunteer work with Church at Second Chance and as an executive mentor with Menttium, where she continues to guide emerging leaders and support professional development.

Kim describes her board service as "incredibly rewarding," finding deep satisfaction in the multifaceted nature of her contributions. Whether walking dogs, developing solutions to support shelter operations, or engaging with community members about the organization’s mission and challenges, she recognizes that each activity creates meaningful impact. Her work supports not only the animals’ well-being but also the dedicated shelter staff and the vital connection between GJAS and the broader community.

Kim's love for animals has been a lifelong constant. She and her family have welcomed three beloved dogs from GJAS: Bronco, Blitz, and Levi, each holding a special place in their hearts. Her childhood was filled with multiple strays that her family either kept or found homes for, always treating these animals as family members who deserved love, safety, and respect.

Mentoring has been a defining passion throughout Kim’s life. During her corporate career, she had the privilege of guiding and developing emerging leaders across various organizations. After retiring, she continued this meaningful work by joining a mentoring organization, where she helps individuals pursue their goals and realize their potential. Supporting others on their professional journeys remains one of the most rewarding aspects of her life.

Kim's approach to challenges is guided by Winston Churchill's wisdom, reflecting her resilient leadership style and commitment to persistent progress, even in the face of obstacles.

Dr. Karen Nilson Bookout brings over three decades of veterinary expertise to the GJAS board as a retired veterinarian who dedicated her career to small animal practice. Her extensive medical background and deep understanding of animal health and welfare uniquely position her to contribute to the shelter’s mission of providing comprehensive care for animals in need. Throughout her 30-year career, she developed a profound appreciation for the human-animal bond and the importance of quality veterinary care in animal welfare.

Karen joined the GJAS board in 2024, bringing her professional veterinary experience and passion for animal welfare to support the organization's continued growth. Her most rewarding experience as a board member has been witnessing the realization of the new building project, seeing the shelter's expanded capacity to serve the community's animals come to fruition.

Karen’s commitment to animal welfare extends deeply into her personal life. She and her husband Tom share their home with two Jack Russell Terrier rescues, one of whom was adopted from the Gardenia Janssen Shelter, creating a personal connection to the organization’s life-saving work. Tom shares her passion for community service through his volunteer work with the Animeals on Wheels program, delivering food to homebound individuals and their pets.

As a Fayetteville resident, Karen is deeply embedded in the local community. Her commitment to service extends beyond GJAS through her involvement with the Greater Fayette Community Foundation as a board member, the League of Women Voters, and the Gideon Lincecum Chapter of Master Naturalists. Outside her volunteer work she is passionate about native plant cultivation and oil painting, with her artwork often focused on animal subjects.

Cindy Kloesel has spent more than 30 years building a career around helping people, serving communities, and finding practical ways to make a difference. She retired from a community BH/IDD facility, where she served as a Senior Manager overseeing Residential and Clinical Services. During her career, she gained extensive experience in nonprofit organizations, government processes, policy and procedures, grant writing and oversight, multi-million-dollar budgets, and fundraising. Much of her work focused on serving individuals and families in lower socioeconomic communities.

Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish from Southwest Texas State University and a Master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Texas at Clear Lake. Her education and professional experience have given her a strong understanding of people, communication, and the importance of meeting individuals where they are.

In recent years, much of Cindy’s energy has been devoted to animal welfare. She is particularly passionate about protecting senior cats and dogs and spay and neuter programs, and believes that helping prevent unwanted litters is one of the most meaningful ways to improve the lives of animals and the communities they live in.

Cindy has always liked having a purpose to keep her engaged. That led her into real estate, where she has spent the past several years helping buyers and sellers throughout Fayette County and the surrounding counties. Cindy brings a unique combination of professional experience, a genuine liking of people, and a strong commitment to her community to the board.

Whether she is helping someone navigate a real estate transaction or working on an animal welfare project, Cindy believes that relationships matter and that a life well lived is one in which you continue to find ways to be useful, stay connected, and make a difference.

A lifelong Texan born in Weimar, Texas, Tommy Koenig grew up in the close-knit rural community and attended St. Michael’s School. He graduated from Bishop Forest High School in Schulenburg and went on to earn an Associate in Applied Science in Animal Technology from Texas State Technical Institute in 1982.

His professional career began at the Fayette County Veterinary Clinic, where he worked for six years. After moving to Austin, he joined Highway 620 Animal Hospital and soon thereafter was hired by the Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital in January 1988. There, he assisted Dr. Bert Dodd in establishing the Department of Small Animal Veterinary Dentistry — an effort that helped shape the future of veterinary dental care. In 2005, he played a key role in creating the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, giving licensed veterinary technicians a pathway to earn specialty credentials in veterinary dentistry. He retired from Texas A&M in August 2025. Tommy brings a substantial career rooted in animal husbandry, animal welfare, and a sincere compassion for the voiceless. He is an integral part of keeping the mission moving forward.

Today, he enjoys life on his ranch in Dubina, where he maintains a herd of Brangus cattle. He and his wife, Denise, have been dedicated fosters, donors, and volunteers with the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter for more than a decade. Outside of ranching and animal welfare, he loves hunting, fishing, smoking meat, and making sausage. He and Denise also enjoy traveling — especially cruises — and spending time at the casino.