Our Team
James Dascoli - President
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 playing bass, Jim is helping to keep dogs in their home by offering training services with Canine Dimensions.
Pam Demmy - Chairperson of Board
Pam Demmy is the owner of Tip Top Kennels and has been a dog trainer for 30 years. Pam’s passion has been German Shepherds and when it comes to training or rescuing German Shepherds, Pam has done it all.
Lisa Fardella - Treasurer
Lisa is a woman of many talents. Not only our treasurer, but the head of social Media and Marketing.
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).
Beatrice Mannino - Secretary
Beatrice knew she was in trouble when her son convinced his dad to get Beatrice a white GSD puppy for Mother’s Day many moons ago. Today, Beatrice is glad to help out with the non-furry side of rescue, taking care of all the paperwork and all things not dog fur related for Sedona Shepherd.
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 of a no-kill shelter in West Central Jersey. He lives in beautiful Tewksbury NJ, is married to Lisa and has a child, Daniel, who serves as a substitute until the family is ready for a dog. Michael is our number two fan at Strategy& where he hangs his hat during the working hours.
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.