SPCA of Texas CEO/President Karen Froehlich has just “stepped down” from the role she has held since 2019 following the departure of James Bias.
According to SPCA Board of Directors Chair Hiren Patel, “We respect Karen’s decision and thank her for her seven years of service to our organization. She is passionate about protecting and caring for vulnerable animals, and we’re certain she will continue that good work into the future.”
While Hiren will undertake “a comprehensive executive search to fill the president and CEO role,” SPCA of Texas Finance VP Don Lindsley will serve as interim president/CEO.
Don reinforced the SPCA’s mission by saying, “Our leadership, staff and volunteers remain focused on protecting and caring for North Texas’ most vulnerable animals. Our community’s support makes it possible for us to provide programs and services for thousands of North Texas pets and their people.”
In recent weeks Karen and the SPCA have been the focus of articles by Dallas Morning News columnist Sharon Grigsby, who today is reporting that in addition to Karen’s departure, the organization has undergone another recent change. The Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center that had been named after philanthropist and animal lover Jan Rees-Jones has been renamed. Sharon reports that, according to SPCA internal communications, “Per request from the donor, the name of our facility at 2400 Lone Star Drive will now be known as Dallas Animal Care Center. We will no longer refer to the building internally or externally as JRJ.”
When asked whether Karen would be continuing in another role at the SPCA, a spokesperson confirmed that “Karen is no longer at the SPCA of Texas.”