FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dan Shirey
Banfield Charitable Trust
503-922-5801
BANFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST ADDS TWO BOARD MEMBERS
PORTLAND, Ore.- March 30, 2010 - The Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) announced today Jim Cleary and Steve Strand were both elected to three-year terms on the non-profit organization's Board of Directors. Mr. Cleary is president and CEO of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. Mr. Strand is CFO for Pets Best Insurance, LLC.
"Jim and Steve are both well-respected in the pet care industry and are enthusiastic supporters of the BCT's mission," said Dianne McGill, executive director and chief executive officer for the organization. "We are extremely fortunate that they are taking an active role in moving our mission forward."
Mr. Cleary has served as president of MWI since March 2000 and chief executive officer since June 2002. Headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, MWI is a leading distributor of animal health products to veterinarians. He joined MWI's former parent company, Agri Beef, in 1996. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Cleary was employed in management positions with Morrison Knudsen and its affiliate MK Rail Corporation. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and received his Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1990.
"BCT always breaks new ground on issues that concern families and their pets," said Cleary, "I hope to provide strategic input for advancing these issues from the perspective of someone in a company boardroom committed to important philanthropic causes."
Prior to his current position with the Boise, Idaho-based Pets Best Insurance, Mr. Strand held positions of chief financial officer and executive director for the non-profit Guide Dogs for the Blind where he directed the project team that built a new $14 million campus in Boring, Oregon. He became executive director in 1994 and grew the organization to over 270 employees. Since retiring in 2006, Mr. Strand has been a consultant to non-profits and start-up businesses. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1969 and is a certified public accountant.
"For me, pets and good non-profit organizations are both important causes to work for," said Strand, "Sometimes the two come together in one place that has the potential to be an agent of change for both pets and people. I want to help Banfield Charitable Trust realize their full potential."
For more information about Banfield Charitable Trust and its board members, visit the Web site www.BanfieldCharitableTrust.org.
About the Banfield Charitable Trust
Banfield Charitable Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2003, supports projects that keep Pets and families together. Funding consideration is only given to registered nonprofit organizations and accredited educational institutions.
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