HSBR Board of Directors
The Humane Society of Blue Ridge is guided by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors who provide leadership, governance and strategic direction for the organization.
Our board members share a deep commitment to improving the lives of animals and strengthening our community through compassion and responsible care.
President
Chad Richardson
Chad Richardson joined the Humane Society of Blue Ridge Board of Directors in 2020 and serves as President. He brings more than 30 years of experience in public accounting and corporate finance to the role. Chad spent 22 years at Cox Enterprises, including time as Chief Financial Officer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
He later worked at Scientific Games and most recently served as Senior Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Fleetcor, a global payments company.
Chad retired in December 2020 and relocated to Blue Ridge with his wife Susan and their dogs and cats. Since moving to the area, he has enjoyed becoming more involved in the community and finding meaningful ways to contribute and give back. Outside of his board work, Chad enjoys spending time outdoors, continuing his study of wine, growing vegetables and working toward hiking the entire Benton MacKaye Trail.
Chad has a history of nonprofit and community involvement, including prior service as Treasurer of the Henry W. Grady Healthcare Foundation, Chairman of the Media Financial Management Association and a member of the Team Selection Committee for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
He also holds an advanced certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and plans to continue through their diploma program. Originally born in Ohio and raised in Southwest Florida, Chad earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida before beginning his professional career.
Vice President
Barbara Brower
Barbara Brower first discovered Blue Ridge in 2004. A year later, she and her husband Chuck purchased a vacation home and quickly fell in love with the people, the pace and the unmistakable southern charm of the area. The chance to live close to nature, experience all four seasons and share it all with their dogs made Blue Ridge feel like home long before it officially was.
Barbara retired after more than 30 years working in healthcare, where her career focused on operations and administration within large health systems across Florida and the Midwest. In 2018, she embraced a new and unexpected opportunity, helping manage veterinary practices across Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. Moving from people to pets, as Barbara puts it, was a game changer and a natural extension of her lifelong love of animals.
In 2023, Barbara, Chuck and Cooper, Chuck’s service dog, made the move to Blue Ridge permanent. Wanting to stay connected and give back, Barbara joined the Humane Society Board to support the mission and future of an organization she deeply believes in. She also volunteers her time at the Humane Society Thrift Store, where she enjoys being part of the day to day work that helps make a difference.
Outside of her volunteer work, Barbara stays active in the community through her church, serving on the Ecumenical Outreach Committee. She also enjoys getting outdoors with a group of women affectionately known as the Trail Snails, spending time hiking, connecting and enjoying the mountains she now proudly calls home.
Treasurer
Jenny Bloom
Jenny Bloom joined the Humane Society of Blue Ridge Board of Directors in February 2022 and serves as Treasurer. She brings more than 30 years of financial experience, including two decades as Chief Financial Officer for fast growing SaaS companies.
Most recently, Jenny served as CFO of Zapier, following her role as CFO at Mailchimp. She retired from Zapier at the end of 2021 and now works part time, supporting small startups through fractional CFO services and growth advising.
Jenny is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Georgia, along with a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia State University. Originally from Detroit, she has lived in Atlanta since graduating from UGA. After years of visiting Blue Ridge for day trips and long weekends, she purchased a home in the area in 2012 and made Blue Ridge her full time residence in July 2021.
A lifelong animal lover, Jenny was among the first volunteers at the Georgia Aquarium when it opened. Outside of her professional work and volunteer commitments, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, mountain biking and paddle boarding with her Shih Tzu, Archie.
Jenny is committed to using her financial expertise to support HSBR’s mission and ensure the organization’s long term stability and success.
Secretary
Susan Richardson
Susan is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. During her time at Auburn, she formed a lifelong friendship with Tracy Allen, now a board member of the Humane Society of Blue Ridge.
Susan began her career in public accounting at an Atlanta based CPA firm, where she spent four years auditing large real estate and development companies. She later transitioned into the corporate sector, building a 27-year career in commercial real estate investment accounting. Much of that time was spent with AXA Financial and Morgan Stanley, where she held a variety of leadership roles. Susan retired in early 2018, concluding her corporate career as Vice President responsible for portfolio accounting and global investment accounting systems.
In 2021, Susan relocated to Blue Ridge as she entered a new chapter of life. She shares her home with her husband Chad, their four dogs, and one opinionated cat.
Susan has a strong history of community involvement and philanthropic service. Her past volunteer work includes serving as co-chair of the Volunteer Committee for the St. Louis Arts Festival, participating in the Annual Boots and Blue Jeans fundraiser for the Henry W. Grady Foundation and establishing the annual Morgan Stanley Halloween Party at Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital, an event held for ten consecutive years.
Member
Tracy Allen
Tracy Allen and her husband, Phillip Daw, moved to Mineral Bluff, Georgia in September 2010. Both are longtime animal lovers and have opened their home to a large and well loved group of animals, including dogs, cats, goats and chickens.
Tracy is a retired Physician Assistant and has continued her commitment to care and service through her involvement with the Humane Society of Blue Ridge. She began volunteering in the thrift shop sorting room in 2011 and has remained actively involved ever since. In 2014, Tracy joined the HSBR Board of Directors, where she continues to support the organization’s mission and growth.
Tracy values the opportunity to work alongside people who share a deep respect for animals and a strong commitment to the community. Her long standing involvement reflects her belief in the importance of giving back and supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference.
Member
Cid Smith
Cid Smith brings a strong background in client relations, business development and strategic partnership to the Humane Society’s board. She currently serves as an Account Executive with Jack Henry & Associates, where she works directly with clients in the financial services industry, focusing on relationship management, long-term success and helping organizations solve complex challenges with professionalism and care.
Based in Blue Ridge, Cid offers a thoughtful and collaborative approach to board service, contributing her professional experience in communication, client success and organizational growth in support of the Humane Society’s mission. Her work has given her a deep appreciation for building strong relationships, listening well and finding solutions that work for both teams and the people they serve.
Cid’s commitment to community and service extends beyond her professional life. She brings a practical, people-first perspective to everything she does and is focused on helping the Humane Society continue to grow in impact, reach and effectiveness.
Member
Lynne Tholen
Lynne Tholen brings a strong background in business operations and community service to the Board. Originally from Kansas, she earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and spent her professional career at ADP, Inc. Her roles included customer service, implementation, project management and middle management, giving her a well-rounded understanding of organizational operations and teamwork.
Although she did not grow up with pets, Lynne’s love for animals began after college when she adopted a stray terrier mix in Kansas City. While living and working in Marietta, she discovered Blue Ridge in 2013 and purchased a weekend cabin. After retiring, she moved to the area full time in 2021 with a strong desire to stay active and continue contributing to her community.
In 2024, Lynne began volunteering multiple days a week at Fannin County Animal Control, where she quickly became an advocate for dogs who often have lower visibility and fewer adoption opportunities. That same year, she also began volunteering regularly at the Humane Society Thrift Store, gaining firsthand insight into the vital role the store plays in supporting the shelter’s financial health.
In early 2025, Lynne began coordinating Humane Society–sponsored low cost dog and cat spay and neuter clinics for underserved members of the community. She also fosters dogs as needed and recently experienced a “foster fail” when she adopted a small beagle mix who was picked up as a stray by Fannin County Animal Control.
In addition to her work with the Humane Society, Lynne has volunteered with Snack in a Backpack, Freedom for Fido and the Craddock Center. She stays active through competitive pickleball and hiking and whenever possible, enjoys taking shelter dogs on hikes to give them exercise and time outside of the kennel.