Chris is our current Board President. He has been an AVAS Volunteer since 2006 and Board Member since 2020. His background is in digital media, graphic design, marketing/promotion. ‘Day’ job: writer (as ‘Johnathan Rand,’ author of over 140 books including Michigan Chillers and American Chillers series for children) graphic design, professional belly rub provider to Brody (adopted from AVAS in 2021) and Jellybean (adopted from AVAS in 2023).

Traci joined AVAS as a board member in January 2024 and shortly after became vice president in November 2024. In her professional life, Traci has been the Director of Operations for Mi Mobile in Grayling since 2021 and was the Executive Director of the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce for twelve years prior to that. Traci began volunteering at the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter in 2022 by walking dogs. As her passion grew for helping these beautiful furbabies she decided to join the board. She is part of the Shelter Photo Gang, working hard to capture pictures to help promote those looking for their furever homes, and she assists at our cat spay/neuter clinics. Traci was instrumental in putting together the first annual Tails to Trails event.  

Lea joined the Board of Directors for AVAS in 2022 and became the secretary in 2024. Lee retired from her day job in 2016 and moved back to Michigan from Pennsylvania in 2021. Besides secretarial duties, Lee is our Volunteer Coordinator. She also assists the Photo Gang taking pictures of shelter animals for Facebook, and is a huge asset for organizing fundraising for the shelter. She is a humble servant to two dogs, Gracie and Sadie, and one bossy cat, Esther (not pictured!) 

Our current Treasurer, Barb has been on the board since 2014 when she starter her service as Board Secretary. Barb makes sure that all financials are in place including payroll and taxes, checks software systems for donations, corresponds with vendors, and works closely with the Director of the shelter. Besides all these administrative duties, Barb and makes sure that all donors to the shelter are personally thanked. She can be found volunteering and helping at many AVAS events and fundraisers.  

Stephani started walking dogs for the shelter as a volunteer in July of 2024. In November, she joined the AVAS board. Stephani has volunteered at events and donated sweet treats to help raise money for the shelter. Stephani and her husband Jon adopted Badger from AVAS in September 2024 to add to their husky pack (Brutus and Lucky not pictured). During the day, Stephani can be found being an advocate for others as a Doctoral social worker. She is currently working with Veterans as a medical social worker and serves as an adjunct at Kentucky State University as a subject matter expert creating courses for the Bachelor Social Work program. 

Heather Forbes joined the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter Board of Directors in 2025, bringing years of leadership and community service to the role.

Currently serving a the Mayor of Grayling, since 2018, Heather also has served on the City of Grayling Planning Commission, & City Council.

A lifelong animal lover, Heather has cared for pets of all kinds—fish, snakes, rats, mice, hedgehogs, lizards, cats, and dogs. Although she didn’t grow up with pets beyond fish, she raised her own children with animals, believing they teach responsibility and offer unmatched love and loyalty.

Heather is committed to helping secure a strong future for pets and their people, in Crawford County, and beyond!

Alayne started volunteering at the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter shortly after moving to Grayling in 2015. She became a board member in 2017 and took on the task of grant writing. One of the grants that she was able to get for the shelter was for the TNVR Program to spay and neuter stray cats. The grant brought in funds to purchase the traps and helped with the cost of the procedure for many cats. 

Alayne was also involved with the donation box program where local businesses allow for a donation box to be left on their counter. She had some new boxes built by some local woodshop students and they were all painted and decorated. For 2 or 3 years she would pick up the donations and spend time at home rolling change for several hours.