Governing Body

Bari Mears

President and Founder

After 26 years in the broadcast industry, Bari followed her passion and went to the dogs (and all the animals). Envisioning a united pet rescue community where animal organizations could work together harmoniously with a spirit of cooperation, she created  PACC91. She knew this vision  would give a louder and more credible voice to the animals who could not speak for themselves. Starting with a few groups PACC911 slowly grew to be a major coalition in the valley and a role model for other cities to emulate.

With 140 plus partnering groups, PACC911’s now well-known adoptathons have placed thousands of animals into new loving homes. The Critical Care Program has saved countless lives, saving has the  hard cases of cruelty and abandonment and brought these animals back to life and love. Mears has authored seven books with all proceeds going to PACC911 for the animals

Named as Hero of the Year by the Arizona Pet Project (formerly Friends of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control) in 2006, and chosen by Arizona Foothills Magazine’s “Women Who Move the Valley in 2012, Mears lives with her husband Jerry, their horses and 3 very old dogs.

Tina Lopez

Vice President

A dedicated advocate for animal welfare, Tina has been volunteering with local organizations since 2003. She currently serves as Vice President on our PACC911 Governing Board. Skilled at building large-scale fundraising plans for several premier Valley nonprofits, she has a thriving career in nonprofit fundraising and proudly carries her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation.

Tina is versed in full-spectrum fundraising development, including event management, grant writing, donor and board relations, and planned giving. Her experience spans notable roles with organizations such as the Arizona Humane Society and the Arizona Animal Welfare League. She also served as the Executive Director of the Arizona Pet Project (formerly Friends of Animal Care & Control).
Beyond her work in animal welfare, she has demonstrated her commitment to the community as the Chief Development Officer for Save the Family Foundation and Duet: Partners In Health & Aging. She currently serves as Chief Development Officer for Gabriel’s Angels, founded in 2000 to provide pet therapy to vulnerable children in Arizona. She has also served as a leader in the community, holding positions on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), including President in 2021 and Past-President in 2022.

Tina’s passion for those without a voice extends beyond her professional life. Her home is filled with senior and special needs chihuahuas and cats, exemplifying her dedication to their well-being. Her vision for the future is to help build a community that shows compassion and care for those who are vulnerable and unable to stand up for themselves, and she hopes that PACC911 will lead the way in that initiative.

Penny McGinn

Treasurer

Penny McGinn has loved all animals all her life, and comes from a family in a small town, Bluffton, Ohio. “The more the merrier” was the families motto and dogs, cats, horses, chickens, guinea pigs, parrots, turtles, frogs, and fish were all a part of Penny’s happy life! All creatures big and small were loved and cherished. Penny smiles here with her current roomies, Gunner and Ramsay, both rescued from abusive situations and all enjoy the love and care they each deserve!

Robin Smith

Event Coordinator • Partner Management Team Leader • Mercy Care Program Administrator

Robin became involved with animal rescue way back in 2006 when she found a stray dog on her lunch hour.  After taking him to the local animal control shelter she cried for days, then went back to bring him home so she could find him his forever family. Searching for a proper home opened her eyes to the world of rescue and all the sad, displaced animals needing help. He was adopted by a nice couple, which spurred Robin to get involved helping the dog breed closest to her heart, the Brittany Spaniel.

She became a volunteer state coordinator for a national rescue organization and attended our PACC911 adoptathons to find families for her homeless pets. Robin and husband Mark created Brittany Rescue AZ in 2012. ;Robin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy and finds this far more rewarding than when she worked in the corporate world of finance.

Erin McClean Becker

Secretary

A life-long lover of all animals, Erin has served as a Humane Policy Volunteer Leader for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) since 2014. In addition to legislation advocacy, tabling, ballot initiatives and outreach, her volunteer activities include trips to Puerto Rico for HSUS’ Spay-a-thon, assistance with pack and companion animal veterinary care, rural area veterinary clinics and puppy mill/pet store protests.

A retired physical therapist, Erin has fostered dogs and cats since 2000. She gets deep satisfaction rehabilitating animals and dreams of finding a way to end animal suffering. Erin lives with her rescued Staffordshire Terrier (“Pit bull,”) Echo and her two human children.