Our Board

James Greenway, Board Chair

Jim is a senior executive with extensive experience in sales, marketing, operations, and acquisitions. He has been delivering sustained business growth for over 30 years.

Being an avid dog lover, he was attracted to Freedom Dogs because of his desire to give back to the wounded warriors and be around “man’s best friend.”  He says, “I get a chance to be a part of making a difference in the lives of the wounded warriors through Freedom Dogs.”

Beth Russell, RN, Founder, Board Member

Beth, the founder of Freedom Dogs, is a certified service dog trainer, lead trainer for Freedom Dogs, and a registered critical care nurse.

In addition to training assistance dogs, Beth’s animal training career has included the training of multiple family pets, including dogs, cats, stray wild birds, chickens, horses, and several goats. Given her love of finding new and creative ways to teach animals new skills, the transition to training assistance dogs was a natural evolution.

Michael Luther, Board Member, CFO/Treasurer

Michael is a finance and development executive with 15+ years managing strategic investments for one of San Diego’s largest corporations and now provides CFO-services to growth-stage SaaS and technology companies.

Freedom Dogs is at the convergence of two things close to his heart - his favorite people are dogs, and he has been involved with several animal welfare organizations, both at the board level and as a volunteer for many years.

Furthermore, his father was a RECON Marine and at one point was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Thus, Michael is thrilled to be able to get involved with Freedom Dogs and support the Heroes for our Heroes.

Sharon Root, RN, Board Member, Outreach Coordinator

Sharon is an RN and veteran of the US Navy. She and her husband Jody began breeding Labradors 24 years ago and are delighted to have bred the very first Freedom Dog. In her present capacity, Sharon serves as Outreach Coordinator for the organization. It is her love of animals and her military experience that makes Freedom Dogs a perfect fit.

Jody Root, Board Member

Jody is a healthcare lawyer and was instrumental in the formation of Freedom Dogs. He and his wife, Sharon, are veterans, having both served in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict. Jody’s military background and love for dogs make his association with Freedom Dogs a natural fit. Breeders of Labrador Retrievers, one of the Root’s puppies was the first Freedom Dog.

Cooper Patterson, Board Member

Cooper brings his experience in real estate, sales, and marketing to the Freedom Dogs board. He also has experience working with other non-profit organizations whose missions are supporting our troops and their families. His deep passion for working with military members is his way of giving back to those men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. He says it is his opportunity to “serve those who serve us.”

Lori Walton, Board Member

Lori Walton’s love and appreciation for nonprofit work began in college when she became President of UCLA’s official undergraduate service organization. Working closely with the alumni association’s development department, she learned how to establish effective structures for successful fundraising. Post-graduation, Lori was invited to become a member of UCLA’s Foundation Governor Board & Leadership Council.

Lori currently serves on multiple non-profit boards and committees. Her true passion has always been with animals, and she is devoted to Freedom Dogs and its efforts to assist our warriors during their time of need.

Haley Bjerk, Board Member, Secretary

Haley is an in-house attorney specializing in the biotech, pharma, and medical device industries. She brings her love for dogs to Freedom Dogs and an immense debt of gratitude to our military heroes. She says "I couldn't be happier to be part of Freedom Dogs' mission."

Duane Gonyea, Board Member, Fundraising Chair

After I retired I found I had extra time on my hands.  Having served in the Marines during a time of conflict, I was drawn to Freedom Dogs.  I became an Ambassador for Freedom Dogs about a year ago and I am fortunate to be able to visit with veterans from all walks of life on a regular basis. I am honored to serve beside the many people at Freedom Dogs who give their time so freely for our heroes.  Semper Fi. 

Lorrie Boldrick, DVM, Veterinary Advisor

Lorrie is a Southern California veterinarian specializing in small animals, including dogs, cats, small livestock, and many exotics. She has served as the on-call veterinarian for several local zoos and amusement parks and is an active member of the American and Southern California Veterinary Medical Associations.

First starting her work with Freedom Dogs in 2009, Dr. Boldrick assists in maintaining the dogs' health and well-being through the education of the trainers and Marines on the care of their dogs. Additionally, she has written the book Essential First Aid for Dog Owners, with 50 percent of all proceeds going to Freedom Dogs.

Steven Felger, MBA, PMP, Board Advisor

Steven R. Felger, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is an authority on life and career transitions and creating transformational businesses. He is a technology strategy and management consultant with 15 years of military, public sector (federal, county, and city), private sector, and nonprofit experience. A Pepperdine University Ph.D. student, entrepreneur, and business leader, he is the Principal Program Manager of CoreLogic and President of AIM Execution Consulting. Mr. Felger has an M.B.A from San Diego State University and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland University College. In his free time, he enjoys hiking around San Diego county with his dog, supporting local entrepreneurs, and spending time with family and friends watching comedy and live music. He resides in Solana Beach, CA.

Lieutenant Colonel Mary Kate “MK” Flatley (USMC, Retired), Board Advisor

LtCol Mary Kate “MK” Flatley (USMC, Retired) was the Commanding Officer of Wounded Warrior Battalion-West from August 2018 to December 2019 and retired from the Marine Corps in December 2020 after serving in the Armed Forces for 35 years. She supports Freedom Dogs as an advisor to the Board and advocates for Freedom Dogs’ mission. MK is currently a Specialist Master at Deloitte Consulting LLP and has been assigned as the Leader of the Veteran, Military, and Allies Community for the Western Region where she continues to support our wounded, ill, and injured warriors and those service members transitioning from active-duty service by providing them with a baseline to begin their transition and succeed in the civilian sector. She is a student in a program of study leading to a Doctor of Psychology in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Her most favorite thing to do is play golf.

Dr. Brenda McGregor, LMFT PsyD, Mental Health Advisor

Dr. Brenda McGregor, LMFT PsyD is the Owner and Clinical Director for Psych Partners. Psych Partners is one of the largest Mental Health Groups in Southern California. Her group currently consists of over 40 providers, including 2 Nurse Practioners. This enables Psych Partners to provide a full range of therapy and medication management care to its clients. While leading Psych Partners, she maintains a full-time practice, while supervising and mentoring Associate and Intern level therapists.

Dr. McGregor largely focuses her practice on working with Active-Duty Service Members, their families, and with our Veterans. Her love for this population grew out of her work as an MFLAC with; the U.S. Marines Corps at Camp Pendleton, NATO members in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, the U.S. Army at Fort Irwin, and with Wounded Warrior Battalion West on Camp Pendleton.

She attained her Doctorate in Psychology from Alliant University. She is the proud recipient of the Molly Pritcher Award. And was recognized as the Casa Palmera Therapist of the Year in 2017.

Dr. McGregor currently resides in Murrieta California with her family. She enjoys taking long walks with her 3 dogs, traveling, and playing pickleball.

Karen Brockmeier, Board Member

Karen is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, who served 20 years as a Manpower Officer (Human Resources). Upon retirement, she became a stay at home parent, while her Marine husband continued to serve. She and her family have lived in California, Virginia, and most recently South Korea. Now that her husband has also retired, they have made Carlsbad home. Karen has always been a lover of dogs and is looking forward to sharing the extraordinary mission of Freedom Dogs with others. As a Marine, she is grateful for the opportunity to continue to help and serve our wounded warriors who have given so much for our country.

Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Sumruld, Board Advisor

Cathy was the Executive Officer of the Wounded Warrior Battalion-West on Camp Pendleton (WWBn-W) in 2007. She worked to build and establish a team of Marines and Sailors dedicated to supporting the wounded, ill, and injured service members throughout their recovery phases. It was at this time that she was instrumental in establishing the Freedom Dogs program at the WWBn-W. She continues to support the Freedom Dog program in an advisory capacity.