Jeanne Hall was raised in the Midwest, spent a number of years in California and currently resides in Washington State. She got her first exotic cat in 1989, and from there has taken in and placed others. She currently has cougars and bobcats. Although not USDA licensed, [she does no commercial activities with the cats] she has been approved by the USDA as a cougar trainer and cougar handler trainer.

Most recently, working with Predators of the Heart to help them qualify for license. She has been self employed since 1975 and has spent a good deal of time in volunteer work as well, usually in social services and in tax aide for seniors. Hall founded the Phoenix Exotic Wildlife Association in 1999, and has served as President of the association since then. She also holds other board positions in similar groups as well as memberships in others.

Cathy Spohrer - Corporate and Organizational Executive Secretary

Cathryn Freeman-Spohrer: Married, 2 grown childern, 3 grandchildren. 16 years running and maintaining an ambulance service, police officer, police dispatcher and emergency training for fire department.  Eight years hired by FDIC to run forclosed hotels,re-establish an income for them,then they went to national auction.  

Eight years working with exotic cats,spcifically Servals.  Dealing with responsible private ownership, education, rehab.  Primarliy focus on Servals in need of placement to legal and responsible homes.

Member of: Phoenix Exotics,MEFES, ACEF, FCF, Tiger Sanctuary, EFBC, Small Exotic Felines of Vancouver B C, Long Island Ocelot Club, WWF, ISEC and many internet exotic cat groups.

I graduated Nursing school in the 80's and worked as intake coordinator of a chemical dependency unit for both kids and adults. My nursing career also took me to cardiac care and cosmetic surgery over the years.

I am an owner and exhibitor of large felines, and I am a member of various exotic animal organizations. I am State, USDA, and USDI licensed.

Rhonda Kiker - Marketing Director

My name is Rhonda Kiker. I was born and raised in the beautiful foothills of North Carolina on my grandparents farm where I enjoyed fishing, hunting and crop raising. This is where my true appreciation for native wildlife began.

Growing up, I never had any exposure to domestic felines, not even a barn cat. So, it wasn’t until my mid-twenties that I realized the joy of owning felines. I have never had to buy any as there is always an abundance where I live. My locale is an easy target to dump off unwanted cats and sometimes dogs. Over time, they reproduced and formed a feral colony. My 15 year old son, Mark and I work with them and have been successful in controlling it. We do this independently and receive no funding from outside sources. I feel that by doing this, it is my small part in the large scheme of things. Through this process, I have 4 indoor domestic cats and about 10 or so outdoor kitties that I maintain. Most of those are ones that had to be treated with special care and treatment.

My interest in domestic cats led to my greater interest of all non-domestic felines. I began my personal research to learn the similarities and differences in all species. I had the privilege of volunteering for my friends’ private zoo for 40 plus hours a week for about 3 years. It is there that I learned husbandry and obtain handling skills. Even got to participate in cage building and shoveling zoo doo. I found this to be the most fulfilling work that I had ever done. In fact, it hardly felt like work. My experience included, but is not limited to felines, primates, birds, reptiles, hoof stock, bears, and wolves. I prefer predatory mammals and birds, but have interest in all species. I conduct my personal research and came across the Phoenix website, where I was shocked to learn of the dangers that were being posed on the animal industry by our legislators. I joined the e-list and became actively involved in fighting this for all current owners and also for my own hope and the hope of other non-owners to be able to own one day.

Some of my past work experience has been managing an office for a local electric company and I also was a coordinator in patient accounting for about 7 years at a local large healthcare center for the Carolinas. Currently, I work for an independent outsourcing collections company for the same healthcare system. Phoenix Exotic Wildlife Association is my hobby and passion and will be at least until we reach our desired results.

Jackie Klakken - Member Services   I have always loved animals and have owned only domestic pets until 3 years ago when I bought my first snake. I have wanted a snake for 10 years and knew that I was not prepared financially or had the right knowledge to care for a snake. When I finally bought my first snake, I learned of the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society and joined. That is where I meet Jeanne and became involved with Phoenix Exotics.

I never dreamed I would be able to be so close to exotic animals and learn how to care and own them. I would have never realized that there were laws and other information that I would have to research to own an exotic. This is a great group and I am happy to be in charge of memberships.

Being able to help educate people with the knowledge I wished I would have had prior to buying my first snake, is a wonderful experience, which not only benefits the person, but the animals well being in the long run. The bond with an exotic or wild animal is one of the most incredible experience’s I have ever had and a great honor.