Board of Directors

JOANNE GEROW

Founder & President of CARe

Joanne is the Founder and President of Catskill Animal Rescue, Inc.  She began the shelter in her barn in 2014 with the help and support of her family.  It is through her vision, hard work and dedication to the people and animals of Sullivan County that CARe is where it is today.

With over 40 years of experience in animal rescue, Joanne is a certified NY State Peace Officer with specialized training in Animal Cruelty Investigation.   She is the current Dog Control Officer for the towns of Liberty, Fallsburg, Thompson and Rockland.  Joanne is an outspoken advocate for the prevention of animal neglect, cruelty and abuse. She works tirelessly with local law enforcement and the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office to bring successful prosecution against those who fail to follow the laws regarding animals.

EUGENE R. SCHEIMAN, Esq.

Chairman of the Board of Directors

A founding member of Catskill Animal Rescue, Inc., attorney Eugene R. Scheiman is the founder and owner of The Law Office of Eugene R. Scheiman, PLLC, in New York, New York. Nationally ranked as among the preeminent trial lawyers in the country, Mr. Scheiman has 50 years of total legal experience, and he provides unmatched counsel and support to clients throughout the greater New York City metro and across the United States who have legal needs involving any of the following:

  • Business litigation

  • Construction litigation

  • Franchise and dealership law and litigation

  • Constitutional law

Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Scheiman has gained a reputation for his in-depth legal knowledge and his uncommon ability to help his clients obtain the favorable outcomes they expect and deserve for their complex legal challenges efficiently and cost-effectively. Along with being a recognized authority in construction law and commercial litigation, he also has extensive experience handling white collar criminal law matters, and he has served as counsel to the city of New York in litigation following the World Trade Center collapse.

Moreover, he has represented the rights and interests of numerous businesses, corporations and government entities throughout the country dealing with matters involving fraudulent diversion of loan proceeds, RICO liability and other serious issues. He has also assisted countless franchise operators with all their legal needs, including compliance, contract negotiations and more.

Honored for his outstanding professionalism and service, Mr. Scheiman has earned an AV Preeminent peer review rating of “Superb” from Martindale-Hubbell, as well as listings in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Law. He is also a fellow with the American Bar Foundation, and he has received many other accolades and endorsements from his peers.

Mr. Scheiman began his legal career in 1970 after obtaining his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and his license to practice from the New York State Bar Association, where he continues to serve as an active member. He is also a member of the New York City Bar Association, as well as various sections and committees of the American Bar Association.

He once served on the Executive Committee of the American Friends of the Jerusalem College of Technology.

Mr. Scheiman has been a lifelong lover of animals and has raised and trained Shire horses, as well as numerous dogs.

LINDA MULLEN

Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Linda is a resident of the Town of Liberty & has been for 54 years. She worked for the Office of the Aging for 10 years as a Meals on Wheels driver delivering food to the elderly of the community. Then moving inside and managing the Senior Center in Liberty for the Office of the Aging.  While working in the Senior Center she also worked part time for the Town of Liberty Parks & Recreation Department.  That led to a full time position as department secretary with the Parks  Recreation Department.  She worked there full time for 23 years.  She retired from the Town in June of 2017.  After taking a year off from working, Linda started to volunteer at the shelter 1 day a week, which led to 3 days a week.  

She & her husband Kevin have been married for over 51 years. They were both Commissioners for the Boy Scouts of America & worked with Troop 96 of Liberty for many years. Linda loves all animals & ended up adopting a dog from the CARe. The best decision.

TAMMI CHABOTY

Secretary of the Board of Directors

Tammi began with CARe in 2018 as a volunteer with the Girl Scout Troop she leads.  When she retired from her duties as a Deputy Superintendent for Security with the NY State Department of Corrections & Community Supervision in July of 2021 after 32 years of service, she was looking for something to fill her time while her teenage children were in school.  She was asked to join the CARe Board of Directors.  Since then, she has taken on numerous roles in the shelter and is currently the Adoption Coordinator.

Tammi’s long history of volunteering dates back to when she was 13 years old and she volunteered at Middletown Psychiatric Center’s geriatric unit, where her mother was employed.  Since then, she has generously donated her time and efforts to countless organizations and causes throughout the years including AYSO, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H.  Tammi is a current member of both the Board of Education for Tri-Valley Central School & Sullivan County BOCES as well as the Citizens' Policy and Complaint Review Council for the NY State Commission of Corrections.  She is also a Liberty Rotarian.

Tammi is a lifelong animal owner and loves being an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. She resides in Neversink, NY with her husband and two children.

BARBI NEUMANN-MARTY

Member of the Board of Directors

Barbi Neumann-Marty is the Senior Unit Director for the Sullivan County Programs in Monticello and Fallsburg for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Town of Wallkill, Inc.

Barbi is a graduate from Tri-Valley Central School. She attended Sullivan County Community College earning an AAS in Early Childhood Education. She went on and received a BA in Arts & Letters from Mount Saint Mary College. Barbi worked for the Monticello School District for 10 years.

Barbi is a Liberty Rotarian working on various community projects. She has been an AYSO Coach for many years. She also has two years experience as an assistant coach for Liberty Little League.

Barbi’s focus at CARe is fundraising and obtaining grants.

Barbi lives in Parksville, N.Y. with her husband and two daughters.

REBECCA SKODA

Member of the Board of Directors

Rebecca ‘s profile will be available shortly.  Please check back.

HOPE SILVERMAN

Member of the Board of Directors

Hope has lived in Sullivan County for almost forty years, working and raising a family here. She is retired from the Sullivan County Department of Community Services, where she served our community as a Social Worker for over 30 years. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed the company of animals. Her husband’s family owned S&G Pet Center, and she found joy in working and helping out at the pet shop.

Hope is a volunteer for “Hope Not Handcuffs” and a member of the Sullivan County Community Services Board. She spends her time at CARe as a dog walker, an activity she eagerly anticipated upon retirement. With a lifelong love for animals, she sought to share this affection and compassion through her volunteer work.