Walden’s Puddle Board of Directors
Serving Without Pay, Protecting the Wild
Walden’s Puddle is governed by a rare and wonderful structured working board of directors. Every individual selflessly directs their professional expertise, time and talents to the mission. They are gifted visionaries dedicated to eliminating the high costs of the positions that are normally needed in most nonprofit corporations. They allow a remarkable 97% of every community donation to go directly to the care of our injured and orphaned native Tennessee wildlife! This translates to hundreds of thousands of dollars saved, and thousands more animals admitted to the Puddle to receive the care they need.
Lane Brody
Chairwoman/President
Philanthropic CEO and president, Executive Committee Member, Fundraiser and operations oversight, Internationally Known Recording Artist, Songwriter, Actress, Country Music Hall of Fame Walk of Stars, LB Enterprises
Brian Hock, Ph.D.
Treasurer
Executive Committee Member, Treasurer, Grants Coordinator, Full Professor at APSU, Over 20 years service in various capacities.
Eddie Bayers, Jr.
Secretary and Executive Committee Member
Business consultant, legendary session drummer, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Musician’s Hall of Fame and the official drummer of the Grand Ole Opry
Ron Chandler
Executive Committee Member
Corporate liason
Proud US Army Veteran, 33 Years at “Lifeway” as Manager of Direct Sales. Now serving the Puddle as our corporate liason.
Jane Eaton
Executive Committee Member & Financial Advisor
Corporate business and financial consultant and business owner
Ashley Leftwich
Marketing
Marketing and fundraising professional with a focus on nonprofit executive leadership. She leads marketing initiatives, corporate appeals, graphic design, and fundraising efforts. She is the co-founder of Perfect Pebble Co.
Ronnie Leftwich
Marketing
Marketing, communications, and fundraising professional with experience spanning strategic communications and the recording industry. He is the co-founder of Perfect Pebble Co.
Steve Boyle
Media Production Coordinator
Founder and owner of SkidMedia (SkidFilms Inc.), a Nashville-based independent media production company specializing in music videos, documentaries, commercials, and live event coverage, with over 29 years of experience.
Jim Africano
Owner of Affi Enterprises and affectionately known as the Skunk Whisperer.
Brenda Walker
Photographer
Award winning, professional independent wildlife photographer; Published in over 16 magazines, newspapers, and wildlife calendars. Retiring in 2025, Brenda served for over 30 years as a Search and Rescue K9 handler for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Ashley Eaton
Corporate Promotions and Public Relations
Leads public relations initiatives and cultivates relationships with corporate partners . Passionate about connecting businesses, organizations, and individuals with the center’s mission of wildlife conservation, education, and rehabilitation.
Jim Milam
Attorney and Legal Advisor
Licensed attorney in Tennessee and Georgia; criminal prosecutor for Davidson and Robertson County; disciplinary counsel for the Tennessee Board of professional responsibility, extensive jury trial experience specializing in appellate practice before the Tennessee Supreme Court
Our Dedicated Staff
Carolyn Pendarvis, Ed. S
Facility Operations Manager
Joanna Johnson, LVMT
Animal Care Manager
Melissa Jefcoat
Animal Care Assistant Manager
Tammy Wemyss
Office supervisor
Travis Beeler, DVM
Veterinarian
Photos Courtesy of Brenda Walker Photography
Our Advisory Board
- Louie Buntin of the Louie M. and Betty M. Phillips Family Foundation
- Currey Thornton, T & T Family Foundation
- Fred McLaughlin, Sr. Financial advisor for Baird
- Emily Magid, Philanthropist
- Joane Gelep, Historian
Foundations and Funds
Walden’s Puddle is profoundly grateful to the family foundations and charitable funds whose generosity helps make our mission possible. Their support provides vital resources for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of Tennessee’s native wildlife while helping us educate future generations about the importance of conservation and coexistence.
Although many of our supporters prefer to give quietly and without public recognition, please know that their compassion and commitment have a lasting impact on every animal we care for and every life we touch.
FAQ
