Paul Studivant began his animal control career 29 years ago as an Officer with the St. Augustine Humane Society. Currently, Studivant is the Emergency Support Functions 17 Coordinator for St. Johns County and enjoys working in the Emergency Operations Center during activations. Studivant responds to hurricanes, wildfires and large-scale animal seizures. Studivant served on the Florida Animal Friend board from 2013-2018 and was President in 2015. He has also been on the board of the Florida Animal Control Association since 2008, serving as President in 2010 and 2014. He previously served as President for the Florida Rabies Advisory Committee and the Florida State Agricultural Response Team.
President-Elect
Laura Bevan
HUMANE WORLD OF ANIMALS
Laura Bevan began her career with The Humane World for Animals in 1987 at the Southeast Regional Office (SERO) in Tallahassee. Laura became SERO Regional Director in 1992. She now is director of the Southern Region, which expanded to cover 13 states and Puerto Rico. During her tenure, Laura has conducted investigations into activities including animal dealers, animal collectors, horse and dog racing, animal fighting and ritual animal sacrifice. She has been deemed by the courts as an expert in animal cruelty/animal fighting. Laura has been instrumental in getting numerous animal laws passed in several states, especially Florida where she has lobbied the Legislature since 1988. Laura also has extensive experience in working natural disasters, specifically hurricanes, wildfires and floods. In 2008, she was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference for her work helping to develop the state’s disaster planning and response for animals.
Treasurer
Ernest Godfrey, DVM
PINELLAS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Dr. Ernest Godfrey is the managing partner of Pinellas Animal Hospital, which he founded in 1973. A long-time leader in organized veterinary medicine, he has served on the Florida Veterinary Medical Association Executive Board since 1989 and has chaired the FVMA Continuing Education Committee since 1987. Dr. Godfrey also serves on the FVMA Advisory Committee for the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, is Chair of Continuing Education for the FVMA Annual Conference, and represents the FVMA in the AVMA House of Delegates. He has served on the Executive Board of the Pinellas Animal Foundation since 1983.
Directors
Jan Hasse, DVM
Dr. Jan Hasse is a retired veterinarian who practiced in Sarasota, Florida, for over 40 years. After graduating from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977, he and his wife Debbie owned and operated Sarasota Animal Hospital for three decades before he continued as a relief veterinarian until retiring in 2021. He has served in multiple leadership roles, including President of both the Southwest Florida Veterinary Medical Association (SWFVMA) and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA), where he was honored with the FVMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Dr. Hasse remains active with the SWFVMA, FVMA, and the FVMA Veterinary Corps, and has served as the FVMA representative for Florida Animal Friend grant reviews since 2017.
Kate MacFall
HUMANE WORLD OF ANIMALS
Kate MacFall serves as the Florida State Director for the Humane World for Animals since spring 2012. During the 2011 Legislative session, she was a lobbyist for the ASPCA. Kate has been a volunteer and an Advisory Board member at the Tallahassee Animal Service Center in Tallahassee and the co-founder and president of the Animal Shelter Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the animals in the care of the shelter. Kate is a runner and created the “Tails & Trails” run/walk fundraiser for the shelter. As an animal lover, she also fosters dogs when one needs special attention. She is a great fan of the bully breeds and has also been a strong advocate for Florida’s greyhounds for many years.
Joan Radabaugh
For more than three decades, Joan Carlson Radabaugh has a successful track record working in animal welfare management, raising community awareness and standards for animals through collaboration with governmental agencies, non-profit community agencies, donors, and grass root advocates. She worked for the national ASPCA’s Community Outreach Division as Community Initiatives, Director FL/GA. Prior to her work with the ASPCA, Joan served as Executive Director for the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, CEO of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League/Palm Beach and as a consultant with the HSUS South Florida Wildlife Center. She was instrumental in shelter design for three capital campaigns ranging from 2 to 11 million dollars for 8,000 to 38,000 square feet campuses and developing proactive programs forwarding the welfare of animals.
John Robinson
John Robinson is the Director of the Department of Animal Welfare in Escambia County, Florida. His career began with a veterinary clinic internship in high school, followed by 19 years as a general manager and two years owning his own pet supply store, where he partnered with rescue organizations and developed a passion for animal welfare. Since 2007, he has led multiple agencies, responded to large-scale cruelty and hoarding cases with the ASPCA, HSUS, and American Humane Association, and held leadership roles with several animal welfare organizations. He is the Past President of the Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association (2022–2023) and has served as President of the Florida Animal Protection Foundation since 2023. At Escambia County since 2014, John has focused on reducing euthanasia, expanding community programs, and building a team dedicated to compassionate public service.
Executive Director
Lois Kostroski
L-T GRAYE COMMUNICATIONS
Lois Kostroski has served as Florida Animal Friend’s Executive Director since 2007, and was on the Board of Directors from 2005 to 2012. Her association management firm, L-T Graye Communications, has provided administrative, fiscal, and grants management services since 2007.
