Contact Us

The California Wolf Center welcomes your comments, suggestions, and questions. If additional information is needed about our organization, tours or special events, educational content, memberships or donations, or any other topic, please contact us using the information provided below. Check donations (payable to the California Wolf Center) may be mailed to the address listed below. The California Wolf Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mail

California Wolf Center

PO Box 1389

Julian, CA 92036

California Wolf Center - Northern California Chapter

336 Bon Air Center #271

Greenbrae, CA 94904

Phone

760-765-0030

Fax

760-888-0333

General Inquires

Media Inquires

Mexican gray wolf recovery, Erin Hunt, 760-765-0030

California wolf recovery, Karin Vardaman, 949-429-9950

Staff

Erin Hunt, Director of Operations: It has always been important to me to make a difference in the world around me, and I know that when I come to work at the California Wolf Center I have a direct impact on wolf recovery in the wild. I feel connected and inspired, and I am constantly reminded that I can be a force for positive change as part of this dedicated team.

John Murtaugh, Program Coordinator: Wolf recovery has been a passion of mine since first learning of the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Being able to commit myself daily to the future of this iconic species is a dream fulfilled and I am thrilled to be a part of the California Wolf Center's mission!

Caleb Carroll, Acting Animal Care Manager: I can't think of a better place to take part in the recovery of wolves in the wild and to educate eager minds about the biology, ecology and intangible beauty that is this genus of Canid.

Doug Cook, Administrative Assistant: After visiting the California Wolf Center as a child, I fell in love with the organization and the big picture it serves. Playing a role in the organization, no matter how big or small, brings me true joy and fulfillment.

Northern California Chapter Staff

Karin Vardaman, Director of California Wolf Recovery: I am inspired to be a part of such a wonderful organization that makes a difference for wolves and our natural world each and every day.

Christina Souto, Associate Director of California Wolf Recovery: The California Wolf Center is an organization I dreamed of being involved with. The work I get to do on a daily basis helps wolf recovery in the wild; it does not get better than that!

Board of Directors

Norm Switzer, DVM

Chairman of the Board, Executive Director

Norm Switzer was born in Pasadena, California and grew up with a passion for nature and the great outdoors. He went to Pasadena City College, UC Irvine, and UC Davis earning a BS in Biology and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and is one of the owners of Midland Animal Clinic in Poway, CA. He has served on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for the University of San Diego for more than 20 years. Outside the clinic and wolf center, Norm is interested in hiking, backpacking, body surfing, walking his dog, reading a good book, and attending the sporting and music events of his children. His favorite sports teams are the Padres and the Chargers. He is married to his beautiful wife of 34 years, Patrice, and has 3 terrific kids, Shannon, Nate and Becca.

Daniel Moriarty, PhD

Dr. Moriarty has been professor of comparative biological psychology at the University of San Diego since 1973. He has been on the Board of Directors since the early 1980s and has served the Center in many different capacities over the years. With students and collaborators he has conducted research at the Center on space utilization by the wolves, their social organization, enrichment techniques, and on non-lethal predator control strategies including fladry and conditioned taste aversion. Semi-retired now, he lives part of the year in San Diego and part in New Orleans.

Patrick Valentino, JD

Director of Public Relations

Originally from New York, Patrick went to University of Albany for undergraduate studies and then to Northwestern University for law school. He spent time in Washington D.C. before coming to San Diego, where he got involved with the California Wolf Center. He has accomplished much through his work in wolf conservation, most notably the creation of the Mexican Wolf Fund: a coexistence fund for wild Mexican gray wolves. Today, he lives in San Francisco helping to guide our California wolf recovery efforts. He is Partner at VLP Law Group LLP and is passionate about affordable housing in urban areas among other things.

Helen Vanderswag

Secretary

Helen is a San Diego native who first visited the Center in 2003. She became a member a few years later and has volunteered since July 2007. She is a registered nurse with over 30 years of experience; currently working as a clinical research nurse at the Alzheimer Disease Research Center through UCSD. When away from work, she enjoys reading, taking art classes and volunteering onsite at the Center. She gains much satisfaction from helping to care for these wonderful animals and conveying knowledge to the public about the unique nature of wolves.

Pam Howard

Membership Coordinator

Pam has have served as a California Wolf Center volunteer since 2004. Through the years she has taken on new roles and currently serves as the Membership Coordinator and participates in various sub-committees beyond the Board of Directors. Pam has worked at Foothills Adult Center for more than 12 years as the Academic Advisor for students finishing their high school diplomas or GEDs and brings this passion for education to the wolf center.

Hayes Anderson

Hayes Anderson has been a volunteer at the California Wolf Center for over ten years and a member of the board for two years. He has a Ph.D. in Communications from Michigan State University and was a Professor of telecommunications and film at San Diego State University. During his 35 years at SDSU he served as the Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. He is a past President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Southwestern Chapter, and also was on the Coronado Maritime Foundation board of directors.

Kim Carey

Director of Volunteers

Kim Carey has nearly 3 decades of experience in legal litigation and employment law administration. She retired from her professional career in August 2013 after serving her last employer, Qualcomm, Inc., for nearly 12 years. Her full time pursuits now include following her passion for both wolf conservation activities and Labrador rescue as well as serving in different capacities at her local church. Other personal interests include: spending time with her husband exploring nature, caring for her dogs as well as foster animals, gardening, and she harbors a secret desire for log home living in Montana.

Brett Carey, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Brett Carey has over 26 years of experience in contract performance management and consolidated financial analysis and reporting. He has spent the last 15 years working at Qualcomm, Inc. in various positions of responsibility and most recently as a Senior Finance Manager in their government contracting division. Personal interests include: spending time with my beautiful wife, family and friends, everything related to dogs, fostering dogs for Lab Rescuers of San Diego, carpentry/house renovation, outdoor adventures (hiking, camping), golf, and a great love of movies of nearly every genre.