Thomas Butler, D.V.M., M.S., DACLAM

Thomas Butler, D.V.M., M.S., DACLAM, is Chairman of the Chimp Haven Board of Directors. Dr. Butler is a nonhuman primate veterinarian with more than 40 years of experience with chimpanzees. Until he retired in 2002, he was the Chairman of the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine which included a large colony of chimpanzees at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. Dr. Butler has also worked with the Air Force chimpanzees at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, and has designed numerous chimpanzee enclosures. He is board certified in the specialty of laboratory animal medicine, and was selected as a member of the National Research Council's Committee on the Long-Term Care of Chimpanzees. In addition, Dr. Butler is a former President of the Council on Accreditation of the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International. Expertise: captive chimpanzee management, laboratory animal medicine, accreditation of animal facilities, biohazard containment.

Linda Brent, Ph.D.

Linda Brent, Ph.D., is President of Chimp Haven. She has over 20 years experience as a behavioral primatologist specializing in chimpanzees. Dr. Brent was Director of Enrichment and Behavioral Management for the chimpanzees at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research for 16 years. She also conducted behavioral research at the Gombe National Park in Tanzania on wild infant chimpanzee development. Dr, Brent is editor of The Care and Management of Captive Chimpanzees. Expertise: captive chimpanzee management, behavioral primatology.

Tamara Bettinger, Ph.D.,

Tamara Bettinger, Ph.D., is currently Senior Research Biologist for Disney’s Animal Programs and serves as the sanctuary advisor for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan. Dr. Bettinger’s previous positions include Associate General Curator of Conservation and Science at Zoo Atlanta, Curator of Conservation and Science at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Vice-Chair of the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan Committee of the AZA. Expertise: captive chimpanzee management, behavioral primatology, chimpanzee contraception, conservation education.

Mollie Bloomsmith, Ph.D.

Mollie Bloomsmith, Ph.D., is Secretary of the Chimp Haven Board of Directors. Dr. Bloomsmith is an experimental psychologist specializing in chimpanzee behavioral management. She is currently the Head of Behavioral Management at Yerkes National Primate Research Center and the Associate Director of Georgia Tech's Center for Conservation and Behavior, as well as a Senior Behavioral Scientist at Zoo Atlanta.  Dr. Bloomsmith is also a research advisor to the American Zoo & Aquarium Association’s Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan. She has more than 20 years of experience working with and studying chimpanzees in laboratory and zoological park settings. Expertise: captive chimpanzee management, behavioral primatology.

Frans B. M. de Waal, Ph. D.

Frans B. M. de Waal, Ph. D., is a biologist and ethologist, and is recognized worldwide for his work on the social intelligence of such primates as chimpanzees, bonobos, capuchins, and macaques. Dr. de Waal is the Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, and C. H. Candler Professor of Psychology, at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. He is the author of a number of books, including Our Inner Ape, Chimpanzee Politics, The Ape and the Sushi Master, and Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape. Expertise: captive chimpanzee management, behavioral primatology.

Candy Peavy, P.T.

Candy Peavy, P.T., is a community activist and leader in the Shreveport, La., community. Ms. Peavy has been active with Chimp Haven since its beginnings in the area, and instrumental in fundraising, planning special events, networking, and recruiting volunteers.  In 2007, she was named the "Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year" by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  Expertise: business managment, nonpfrofit management, fundraising.

Peter Theran, V.M.D.

Peter Theran, V.M.D., DACVIM.  Dr. Theran serves as the Vice President of Animal Science for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and was formerly their Vice President of the Health & Hospital Division.  Dr. Theran was also selected as a member of the National Research Council's Committee on the Long-Term Care of Chimpanzees. He is board certified in the specialty of veterinary internal medicine.  Expertise: animal protection, business management, laboratory animal medicine, biohazard containment.

Robert A. Whitney, D.V.M., M.S.

Robert A. Whitney, D.V.M., M.S.  A career United States Public Health Service officer, he has held positions as Deputy Surgeon General, Acting Surgeon General and Director of National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources. Dr. Whitney was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University and his master's in pharmacology from Ohio State University. He is a diplomat of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and served as chief veterinary officer of the Public Health Service from 1985-1989.  Expertise: animal protection, business management, laboratory animal medicine.

Matthew Allen

Matthew Allen attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S. in Political Science. Matt received his law degree from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Currently an attorney with Legal Services of North Louisiana, Inc., in Shreveport, Matt’s practice areas include: family law, successions and probate, tax law, estate planning, Social Security and public benefits law, housing law, and elder law. He is a Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow and a member of the Louisiana, Shreveport, and American Bar Associations. Matt is also an instructor at Southern University-Shreveport and the pianist for a children’s choir at a local church.

Ashley Snyder Ph.D.

Ashley Snyder Ph.D., received his doctorate degree in Biochemistry and Genetics from the University of Virginia.  Following two years as a consultant with McKinsey & Company's San Francisco office, Ashley recently accepted the position of Chief Investment Officer at O'Brien Energy Company in Shreveport, LA.  Expertise: business management, hospital and pharmaceutical company operations, strategic investment evaluation.