Our Team

James Dascoli - Founder, Treasurer

Jim’s first experience with German Shepherds was as an infant looking up at a 120-pound GSD named Duke. At 6 he held his breathe until his dad chose the little white German Shepherd that no one wanted. It was only natural that as an adult he would be working with German Shepherds. As an adult, the first two dogs Jim and his wife Arlene took in were a 7-year-old GSD and a 6-year-old Husky. Jim served as President of Garden State German Shepherd Rescue from 2008-2009 and 2011-2013. When not rescuing dogs or studying Stoic philosophy, Jim is helping to keep dogs in their home by offering training services with Canine Dimensions.

Jim Silverstein - Secretary

Dogs and dog hair have been the fabric of Jim’s life for over 50 years. Jim has been bringing home rescued German Shepherds into his home ever since moving to New Jersey over 25 year ago. He hasn’t stopped and now not only a foster and adopter of Sedona Shepherd dog, but now our Secretary. As the former owner of Rix Pool and Spa, Jim brings his business acumen to our team. On his free time, Jim is an avid gardener, golfer and enjoys some good rock and roll. When he needs to get his Siberian Husky fix, Jim heads up to Alaska and volunteers for the Iditarod Trail Committee every February.

Lisa Fardella - President

Lisa has been volunteering for social and animal causes for over two decades. Even as a child, she had a passion for German Shepherds which eventually led to her involvement with German Shepherd rescue. Lisa dedicates herself to being a voice for the voiceless through social media and marketing, video production, transporting, fundraising and events. She has a hand in all aspects of finding the forever homes for the loyal and intelligent dogs at Sedona Shepherd. Lisa spends her days going back 90 million years in time as a manager at Field Station Dinosaurs.

David Katona - Board Member

David Katona is a man of many talents. Walk down the streets of lower and midtown Manhattan with him and you would wonder if he were in politics as he inevitably runs into someone he knows. David has been active in philanthropic ventures, for many years especially with his work with the Milken Institute, Friends of Acadia and The River Fund. David brings exceptional business talents to our board as well as a love for dogs. He graduated from Bates College, enjoys as much time in the summer on Mount Desert Island in Maine as possible (with his family dog Sammy).

Michael McConnell - Board Member

At age 6, Michael got his first German Shepherd puppy named Heidi from the Seeing Eye Dog Foundation. Heidi lived for an incredible 16 years and fired his passion for German Shepherds. He is dedicated supporter and also board member for Common Sense for Animals, a no-kill shelter in Western Jersey. He lives in beautiful Tewksbury NJ.

Lisa Fardella - Social Media and Marketing

Lisa has been volunteering for social and animal causes for over a decade. Even as a child, she had a passion for German Shepherds which eventually led to her involvement with German Shepherd rescue. Lisa dedicates herself to being a voice for the voiceless through social media and marketing, video production, transporting, fundraising and events. She has a hand in all aspects of finding the forever homes for the loyal and intelligent German Shepherds. Lisa spends her days going back 90 million years in time as a manager at Field Station: Dinosaurs and is the proud mom to Jaxon, her GSD.