Category Archives: adopter feedback

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption

Successful adoptions bring joy and save lives

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Purrfect pair Maverick & Goose
01
Dec

After pets are adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, staff members follow up to see how they are doing in their new homes. Here is some recent feedback from our adopters.

Tulip is a cuddle bug.
Tulip is a cuddle bug.

Jasmine FKA Tulip is spoiled every day
Jasmine aka Tulip is doing very well. She takes her heartworm meds like a champ. She loves to snuggle and doesn’t like storms. Jasmine and her older sister love to play tug of war with their toys. She doesn’t like walking on a leash, but we are working on that. We tell her every day that God brought us to her and that we love her and nothing will happen to her. She’s perfect and getting spoiled every day.
Cora and Mark Carrico

Van the man.
Van the man.

Mixed breed Van is the man
We are in love with Van! He is so sweet. He was timid at first, but he is a wonderful addition to the family. He is such a cuddler and we love it! We are planning to adopt one more. Thank you so much for making the adoption process easy! We have two older Rottweilers, and whenever we stated that, everyone was turned off to letting us adopt. Van and our other two dogs get along well and even play with each other. We love him!
Shannon Dayton

Kitty Maverick is a champion fetcher
Kitten Rusty is now Maverick and Batman is Goose. They adjusted well to our home and have stolen our hearts! It took no time for them to settle in. Both are healthy and very playful. Maverick is a champion at fetch, better than any dog.
Allison Hayes

Bam Bam went on family vacation to Florida

Bam Bam loves his new family.
Bam Bam loves his new family.


Bam Bam’s (now Zeus) fur has grown in and he is so pretty right after a bath. We’re learning together, he has some behavior issues, but I would expect as much from an older dog that maybe wasn’t always treated right. He loves the kids and is super protective of them! He went to Florida with us and did fantastic in the car and at the Airbnb.
Misty Arthur

Pixie (on left) is a cuddle bug
Pixie (on left) is a cuddle bug

She drove from Indiana to adopt little Pixie
I was the crazy lady who drove over 23 hours to and from Indiana to adopt Pixie! We cannot thank you enough for allowing us to adopt our sweet and spicy baby girl. She fit into our household almost immediately! She is still learning that new people are okay and that even the neighbor dog isn’t so bad. We are lucky to have her be a part of our home! We can’t thank you guys enough for doing what you do. You are making a difference!
Megan Alberts

Many more wonderful homeless pets at the County Shelter need a second chance for a good life. Please go to fotasaiken.org to see them or stop by and visit them at 333 Wire Road. During our Empty the Shelters adoption event, which continues through Dec. 16, dogs and pups are just $25, while cats and kittens are only $10. All of our adoptable pets are vaccinated, microchipped & spayed/neutered.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption, Bully Dogs

Beau Roland

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Beau found his family
03
Nov

I saw Beau’s photo on Instagram, another pit bull in a sea of pitties looking for love. Looking back, I see there was nothing remarkable about his photo, but I felt a deep pull to rescue him. I’ve always been an adoption advocate yet had never had a Pitbull until moving to SC and seeing their numbers in the shelters. Truffles was my first adoptee (a stray momma dog) and it’s because of her that I have fallen especially hard in love with this “breed”. Let me first dismiss the deception. They are not fighters but lovers. (I call them aggressive snugglers) They are fiercely loyal and loving and big couch potatoes, often called, “house hippos”. Once you spend time with this type of dog, you’ll fall in love too.

Beau came into the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a stray, as many do. I surmise he escaped his previous dismal circumstances as he has scarring on his legs and his ears have been chopped. But the scars on his heart healed and his easy-going, chill personality was able to shine through. His favorite activities are daily walks, playing with his girlfriend, a yellow lab named Lucie, and being anywhere with me. All good dog owners love to show off their dogs, but as a pittie mom, I am also passionate about dispelling misconceptions about these dogs, so I bring Beau with me, where appropriate, so more people can meet my canine “good citizen”. With his handsome good looks and affectionate demeanor, Beau’s become my ambassador for pitbulls and he makes friends wherever we go.

Each dog that comes into our lives brings a different kind of love and joy. They are unique in their personalities and the lives they live with us. Having loved and lived with dogs my whole life, I still miss every single one that I have lost. Oh how I loved, Askim, a large shepherd mix who also came from a shelter and whose heart was so big and love so contagious that he became a therapy dog. Together we visited nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and libraries. We met many who wanted to stroke his soft fur and remember their own dogs of days gone by. How rewarding it was and how easily he adapted to his “job” and brought so much joy. Seeing how well suited to therapy work Beau would also be, I registered him with the ATD (Alliance of Therapy Dogs) program and made our “Aiken visitations” official! We can be seen at the usual therapy venues, including funeral homes. There Beau is the first official therapy dog on call for grieving families to benefit from the unconditional love and affection that only a dog can give.

Shelter dogs are a special “breed” and it is true that they know when they have been rescued. What they give back is hard to quantify. How do we measure love? For me it’s with 4 paws.

Written by Debbie Roland, FOTAS Supporter

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption

Wonderful homeless pets are matched with adopters

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Finn gets a hug from his best friend, Charlotte.
24
Aug

After pets are adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, staff members follow up to see how they are doing in their new homes. Here is some recent feedback from our adopters.

Caprice was the missing piece
Caprice has fit into our family amazingly! She is the perfect dog for us. She loves walks and going for rides in the car. All three boys are absolutely in love with her. She is the most relaxed, well-behaved dog I have ever dealt with. We have spoiled her rotten. Caprice was definitely the missing piece to our family. I am so thankful for her. –Penny Goggans

Second adopted dog bonds with first
Emmaly is doing great! She is the sweetest, happiest dog. She was house trained and is not at all food aggressive. Emmaly wants everyone to play and be happy with her! She gets along well with her big sister, Hila (adopted from the County Shelter nine years ago), who is happier and more active now. Thank you for both my sweet Emmaly and Hila! -Beverly Pyle

Finn is a sweet angel
Finn is a sweet cat who loves playing. He is very loved by his 6-year-old best friend, Charlotte. She often calls him her “baby” or her “sweet angel”. Charlotte is always building him a bed out of pillows and blankets, and making him toys to play with. –Sydney Walters

Lemon loves her new sister
Lemon is growing so fast and doing amazing! She loves walks, car rides, pup cups, naps, and playing with us and her sister, Heidi. She is eating well, almost fully potty trained, and crate trained. We’re so glad we could add her to the family. Thank you for reaching out to check on our baby and for helping us with the adoption process! -Jordan Nix

Lillie enjoys playing in the rain, hates baths
Ruby (now Lillie) is doing very well and has adapted to her new surroundings. She is about 50 pounds now and all up to date on her puppy shots. She loves everyone, including our cat. She loves playing outside in the rain even when it storms, but hates baths. Sometimes she plays by herself with her numerous dog toys and it is very entertaining to watch. Everyone that meets Lillie adores her. She is a perfect fit in our family. -Amber Hayes

Gentle Reba is part of the family
Reba (now Luna) has been wonderful! She loves absolutely everyone and loves all of the attention. She is such a gentle giant. Thank you so much for matching us perfectly. –Ashley Felker

There are so many more wonderful dogs and cats at the County Shelter who need a second chance for a good life. Please visit them at 333 Wire Road or go to fotasaiken.org to see them online. Dogs and puppies are $35, and cats and kittens are only $10.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption, Pibbles

Shelter Adoptions are Great

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
23
Feb

My son Wesley, after grieving over the loss of his chocolate Labrador Retriever, decided it was time for another dog. Instead of looking for a registered breed and being advocates and supporters of FOTAS/Aiken Country Animal Shelter we decided to pay the Aiken Country Animal Shelter a visit.

We made an appointment and on arrival Kathy took us on an adoption tour. It was immediately obvious that Kathy’s passion for these animals is surmount to just a job. Kathy patiently showed us the huge number of dogs ready to be adopted. The shelter was overflowing from the recent large intake of surrenders.

Although so overcrowded, we were very impressed with the cleanliness and how well maintained the entire facility was kept. Even more impressive was the care these animals were receiving no matter their physical condition, size, shape or breed. Each kennel has a detailed list of the animal’s condition, the treatment needed and thus far provided. Also, another post contained behavioral notes detailing any issues, a schedule for volunteers of when the dog had last been walked and details like leash trained, pulls when walks, jumper, etc.

After a lot of going back forth we finally picked out a medium size 2 year old Pibble (Pit Bull mix), Jelly Bean. Kathy got her out of the kennel. Wes got on the floor with Jelly Bean who quickly convinced Wes she was his dog.

Now three weeks later things could not be better. Jelly Bean came housebroken, out retrieves our yellow Lab mix (also an adopted stray) and loves the country life. No registered breed needed. Save those big bucks. For a modest adoption fee you can get a neutered/spayed, microchipped, smart, forever special and loving family companion.

Although already impressed with the entire adoption process at the shelter, we received this email:

“Good morning Ms Tyler! I am emailing you as you recently adopted Jelly Bean and we just wanted to see how everything was going. Behaving?? Eating well?/ Playing well with everyone?? Adapting well?? If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reply to this email or give as a call. We would love to see any pics you have to share! Thank you so much and we look forward to hearing from you!”

I’m not sure you would receive this level of care and concern from anyone else. It will always be the shelter for our next dog. PLEASE consider a PIBBLE. They are great dogs!

Our family sincerely thanks and appreciates all the FOTAS volunteers and staff that work at the shelter on a daily basis. Your efforts to help teach socialization skills to get these animals to their forever homes speaks volumes about your character and compassion.

Their lives are in our hands.

by Allison, Rhonda and Wesley Tyler, Aiken County Shelter Adopters

2023, adopter feedback, Adoption

Adopters find their furry soulmates at the County Shelter

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Little Girl in her new home
03
Feb

After pets are adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, staff members follow up to see how they are doing in their new homes. Here is some recent feedback from our adopters.

Shy Maine Coon kitten proving to be extremely snuggly
Just wanted to update you on Wesley (now Murphy), the orange Maine Coon. He’s doing so well! He hid for the first several days but has started to come out and socialize a bit and he’s probably one of the most snuggly and affectionate kittens I’ve ever seen. We haven’t introduced him to our other cats yet, but he’s getting more comfortable with my husband and I. We are so grateful that you guys waited for us to get there – he’s an awesome addition to our family!
Kelsie & Elwood Davis

Blue-eyed Ocean benefitted from her fostering
Ocean is doing well and we love her. She loves toys and she loves our cat! Please let her foster mom know we will take good care of her.
Lydia Willing

Loving Lola is coming out of her shell
Lola is happy and healthy! She loves hard bones, playing rope and being with me! My partner and I keep saying look at how happy she is. We are in Maryland now and the weather is getting cold! She has a coat or two that she loves! From the first week to now, she’s been opening up and doing more. I’m so happy that Lola and I found one other.
Samantha Lebarron

Selene is training to be a service dog
Selene is doing amazing! She’s with me 24/7 as she’s in training to be a service dog. Everyone is amazed at how calm and well behaved she is despite her young age. She’s taken everything pretty naturally. Her name now is Riga.
Kira Zapolskikh

Victory sleeps on the nearest person or animal
Jasmine, who we have renamed Victory, has been a phenomenal addition to the family. Within five minutes of getting her home, she became instant best friends with our other dogs. She does have moments where she chases cats because they’re interesting to her, but that is decreasing. She is a big cuddler, always laying down on whoever is on the couch or bed. And taking a nap on everyone – humans, dogs, or even cats.
Dominic Gazzelli

River is a love bug, even with the cats
Little Girl, who is now named River, is doing wonderfully and has settled in well. She is the most affectionate love bug with her people, and is getting along well with our cats.
Laura Jones

The County Shelter has many wonderful pets just like these desperately waiting for loving homes. This Saturday, Feb. 11, we are having a special event to help you find your furry Valentine. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., we’ll be serving Mocktails & Pawderves. Dog adoptions will be only $14 and we’re even going to feature a doggie kissing booth. Stop by 333 Wire Road in Aiken, SC, and let our adoption counselors help you find your perfect match!

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, adopter feedback, Adoption

We love success stories but many pets still need homes

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
07
Oct

After pets are adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, staff members follow up to see how they are doing in their new homes. Here is some recent feedback from our adopters.

Batman adoption goes smoothly

Batman is doing terrific. He has made himself right at home. I appreciate you making the (adoption) process so smooth when my son and I visited, and thank you for checking in on our sweet dog. Claudia Wiseman

Kenna has a new name and new siblings

Hazel (Kenna’s new name) is doing wonderfully and is such a happy girl. She’s fitting in perfectly. Everyone gets along and she’s behaving really well. We love her! Kelly Galvarino

Riff is 42 percent Coon Hound, 100 percent loved

Coon Hound Riff now lives in Pennsylvania.


Riff is now named Rusty Rhoades. He lives with my niece in Pottsville, PA. I adopted him for her. According to his DNA, he is 42% Tree Walking Coon Hound along with two other strains of Coon Hound. He is a very welcome addition to our family. Dave Zimmerman

Jack has his own Facebook page

Little Tug, who is now officially named Jackson “Jack” Tug Danko, is a delight and a wonderful, much-loved addition to our family. He’s absolutely perfect for us. In fact, he’s quite a little celebrity and even has his own Facebook page. You are invited to like and follow his “You Don’t Know Jack” page to keep up with all of his antics and adventures. Lance Danko

Mikey the cat is in perfect shape

Gary & his new kitten Mikey have bonded.


Mikey, Stinker (2-year-old male tuxedo cat), Virginia and I are all doing great. I isolated Mikey in my home office for 10 days with me, so he had only brief exposure to Stinker. They played paws under the door during that time. Mikey follows me around the house like a dog and is already my lap cat. The two cats sleep together in the cat tree in the hallway. Mikey saw the vet last week and is in perfect shape. He has gained 1-1/2 pounds in the last month. All is well and life is good. Gary Ikens

It’s great to know these adopted pets are doing well in their new homes. But there are so many more wonderful dogs and cats at the County Shelter who need a second chance for a good life. Please go to fotasaiken.org to see our available pets or just stop by and visit them at 333 Wire Road. Dogs and puppies are $35, and cats and kittens are only $10.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, adopter feedback, Adoption, Foster, fostering, FOTAS

Love to the Rescue

Posted on by Bob Gordon
21
Mar

Love to the Rescue

by Betty Ryberg, FOTAS Foster

Change of scenery? We certainly experienced the need for that in the last 2 1/2 years.

A day trip on a pretty day? A walk in a just discovered park, or a hike through the woods as the weather turns sunny?

Maybe an overnight? To a cabin, a lake house, a campground? Our walls close in, our life lacks color, our days seem drab.

Take me away! A week away has restorative powers but often it’s those few hours or day trips or quick overnights that adds zest to our lives and brings a calm.

That is the highlight of doggie field trips or fostering.

Aiken County Animal Shelter dogs can come to your house, your yard, your park and it is their Disneyworld. Under your tree, playing with your pets or chewing on your toys is a wish-come-true mini vacation.

Aaah and catching a nap, sleeping late, and snuggling on a new rug – luxurious and QUIET. All the animals at the shelter are safe and well cared for-but it is not quiet. For a dog that is abandoned, oftentimes the barking of other dogs causes distress. Even one day or night away may feel like a much-needed spa.

Why don’t folks take dogs away for Doggie Day Out or foster? Is it because you may feel guilty returning them? Please don’t. A day or night away, a romp in your yard or a nap on your rug may be all that dog needs to restore his spirit and make him more adoptable when he returns to the shelter.

We have had sad, frightened dogs become their happy selves in two days. One dog slept for eight hours the first day he came to our home and then rolled and rolled in the grass for hours. 

If you can’t foster for more than two days, then an overnight or day out is a respite likened to a snow day experience we felt as kids. Yippee!!

We have kept dogs for two nights and puppies for two months. All have been adopted. We didn’t change our schedules We made a safe place to sleep and play. Our busy days continued and we marveled that an animal could show such immediate relief.

Any new parent, caregiver, student or overworked professional knows the phew moment of a babysitter, respite care, a snow day or a day off.

The animals return restored and much more adoptable. It is a picnic for them. How wonderful to know your home is a five-star resort to some!

Their lives are in our hands.

2021, adopter feedback, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News

Four Furry ACAS Alumni Are Living the Good Life with One Family

Posted on by Bob Gordon
02
May

Over the last three years, Robin and Bobby Vaughn have adopted four homeless pets from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). This quartet of two kittens, Ripley and Charlee, and two dogs, Cody and Bella, are enjoying the good life on the Vaughn family farm with a stray cat, five horses and a rooster.

Cody is the first County shelter dog who joined the Vaughn family.

“While this probably sounds like a small zoo to most people, this is actually the smallest number of pets we have had in a long time,” Robin said. “The horses are all older, so they are pretty much just living the life, grazing and waiting for us to bring them breakfast and dinner. During the day, Bella and Cody share the front yard with two of the horses and Clyde, the rooster. Clyde free-ranges and Cody and Bella serve as his protection detail. Where they go, he goes.

“The kittens are indoors only,’ she added. “They have the run of the house and play all day. When they aren’t chasing one another, they are dragging toys from one room to another. For most of the day, it looks like a Toys ‘R’ Us exploded in our home and at the end of the day, we pick it all up just so they can have fun dragging it all back out again tomorrow. They get their exercise and so do we!”

Black and white shepherd mix Cody is the first ACAS pet the Vaughns adopted. They brought him home in early 2018 and he fit in well with their family. Two years later, they adopted kittens Charlee and Ripley; and three months ago, they made another trip to 333 Wire Road to take home Bella, a white and gray border collie mix.

All the animals get along well – but this harmony among dogs and cats from different backgrounds did not happen right away. As each animal was introduced to the group dynamic, the Vaughns used positive reinforcement, leash work and socialization techniques to help them adjust to their new surroundings.

“The best advice I can give is to be patient,” Robin said. “It takes time for these animals to acclimate to their new home and new family, so it is important to help them adjust. The ACAS adoption staff is there to help along with the shelter trainers. Use these resources, if needed, to ensure the best outcome for you and your new pet.”

Robin Vaughn with the furry family pets (l to r): Charlee, Ripley, Andy, Cody & Bella. The Vaughns just adopted their fifth ACAS pet, a black kitten named Pepper.

The Vaughns feel strongly about rescuing homeless pets and saving animal lives. They have always adopted their pets from local rescues and shelters—and will continue to do so in the future.

“I would encourage anyone who is looking to add a pet to their family to consider adoption from a shelter,” Robin said. “I think if they take the time to visit the ACAS facility, talk to the staff, and meet some of these amazing animals, they will find the pet they are looking for.”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2021, adopter feedback, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News

Never Say Never: An Adoption Success Story

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Mar

Never say never. That’s something I’ve learned over the years, and it’s something that came into full realization when Hitch entered my orbit.

“I saw the cutest little Chihuahua mix at the animal shelter today,” is how my fiancé’ Hallie started the conversation.
Chihuahua? Cute? Wait a second. That’s a little dog, isn’t it?

Years ago, my wacky aunt would often – and unexpectedly – show up at my family’s suburban home with a teacup dog emerging from her shoulder purse. While the dogs would change every few years, her effusive attention to the latest canine couture always remained front and center… as were the impromptu fashion shows she presented to my parents’ fixed smiles and internal eyerolls.

HITCH on the ACAS adoption floor.

So, as much as I wanted a dog, my parents felt that my aunt’s visits adequately satisfied their desire to have one. My opportunities to bond with a dog of my own would have to wait until years later.

When I met Hallie later in life, I knew she was nearly-exclusively connected to large animals, and my life with her was woven with horses and giant-breed Scottish Deerhounds. So, when she surprised me with this new addition to our family, the rush of ancient memories of my aunt returned.

I think Hallie knew that I needed a little guy. Then Hitch began to pour his own magic into our home.
Practically hairless from flea allergies, Hitch had wild tufts sprouting from his chin and eyebrows. But this little guy was also soulful and confident. A mix between a Chihuahua and Yoda with some Terrier in there, and a little bit of Mr. Miyagi from “The Karate Kid” as well. I could tell that life on the street had taken its toll. But it had also made him a very observant and patient little fellow. I doubted he had experienced many dress-up days with humans in the past.

As he checked out his new digs and weaved his way between the long-legged Deerhounds in the house, he often stopped in his tracks to try to make eye contact with me. I did not dare return his long gazes. Who does this little guy think he is, anyway? He may have won over Hallie with that stuff, but I was never going to be a little dog pushover.
Well, that didn’t last long. Before I knew it, he was finding his openings to jump in my lap and curl up with his eyes tightly closed before I could react. Clearly, he knew I was overdue for some little dog love. So, I surrendered the fight.

But I won the game.

HITCH at home with Hallie Glennie

Hitch has become the absolute heart of the family. His coat has grown full and shiny, and his disposition is one of enthusiasm and joie de vie. When the Deerhounds run in the Hitchcock Woods at breakneck speed, he sprints around them, like a referee at an NBA basketball game. He constantly checks on me, making sure that I know he’s there for that special little dog heart connection.

Remember when I said never say never? I have one exception to that rule. I never want Hitch to leave my side.

— by Rip Russell

2021, adopter feedback, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Therapy dog certification, Therapy Dogs

Shelter Dog Replaces Dog of a Lifetime

Posted on by Bob Gordon
23
Feb

FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs knew Scott Albrecht and Harvey were meant to be together. When she first saw Harvey arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), she somehow divined that this handsome, black and brown, longhaired dog was the perfect match for him.

Harvey was found as a hungry stray at a Shell gas station in Williston and was brought to the shelter by a Good Samaritan. After mourning the death of his last dog, Shimmie, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever he adopted as a pup, Scott thought he was finally ready to find a new canine companion. Shimmie suffered a massive stroke when she was about 15 years old and Scott was having trouble getting over her.

Harvey shortly after arriving at the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a stray.

“I had been without a dog for some time and when I met Harvey at the shelter, he immediately got on his back and wanted me to rub his tummy, so we hit it off right away,” Scott said. “Harvey helped me bring closure to Shimmie’s passing.”

Scott’s mother, Joan Irvine, also fell in love with Harvey. She says she and her husband, Rich, enjoy babysitting the affectionate dog when Scott has to work 12-hour shifts as a production operator at Owens Corning in Aiken.

Joan has worked directly with rescues and shelters for more than 20 years, most recently as a FOTAS volunteer. Before the pandemic raised its ugly head, she brought adoptable ACAS dogs to the Aiken Petco nearly every Friday to showcase them and find them homes. She has been an animal advocate all her life and has had dogs since she was a little girl. Her first dog was a stray Fox Terrier puppy that her mom rescued when they stopped for fuel at a gas station. “My mother scooped her up and took her to the vet and she became part of the family,” she said.

Although Joan and Rich have two dogs of their own, they love having Harvey around and treat him kind of like a grandkid.

Scott Albrecht with Harvey, Feb. 2021

“Dogs are meant to be spoiled, in my opinion,” Joan said. “Since I don’t get to go out like I used to because of COVID-19, it’s really wonderful having him around.”

Because Harvey is such a calm, well-behaved, smart boy, Scott plans to get him certified as a therapy dog. Scott said Harvey has a strong nurturing instinct and seems know whether a stranger needs a hug or if he needs to give the person some space. When Harvey sees children, he is careful not to overwhelm them if they are scared.

COVID-19 has made it a challenge for Harvey to begin his path toward visiting and being a therapeutic presence in VA hospitals, homes for abused children and retirement homes. But Scott plans to enroll him in classes soon.

Harvey’s incredible,” Joan said. There is something about him. He makes you happy!”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director