Board of Directors
Melody Gillespie
PRESIDENT
Melody is a lifelong animal advocate and community leader in Montague County. She brings over 30 years of nonprofit and education leadership experience, including volunteer coordination, local outreach, rural program development, and school-community partnerships.
As founder and board president of MCares, Melody has led the effort to establish the county’s first animal shelter. Her professional background in education, real estate, and small business gives her strong organizational, communication, and planning skills. She is passionate about creating sustainable rescue solutions, expanding access to spay/neuter services, and building humane education programs for underserved communities.
Penny Nault
VICE PRESIDENT
Penny is a seasoned risk management professional with a strong commitment to animal welfare. With extensive experience in policy analysis, operations, and risk oversight, she brings valuable organizational and compliance expertise to the MCares board.
Penny has been an active animal advocate for many years, volunteering in various capacities including animal care, fostering, and rescue coordination. Her blend of professional discipline and compassion for animals makes her a key leader in helping MCares operate safely, efficiently, and with high standards of care.
Marilyn Morgan
SECRETARY
Marilyn has lived in Montague County for three years and grew up nearby in Clay County. She returned to Texas after retiring from a career in public service, where she managed grant programs in medical research, criminal justice, and homeland security. Her experience as a Director of Grant Operations equipped her with strong skills in organization, management, and communication.
New to animal rescue, Marilyn has always supported animal welfare and is a strong advocate for spay/neuter efforts. She brings both compassion and administrative expertise to the MCares board.
Rachel Howard
TREASURER
Rachel brings over 20 years of experience in accounting to her role as Treasurer of MCares. Her professional background includes financial management, bookkeeping, and compliance for both corporate and nonprofit sectors.
A lifelong animal lover, Rachel has been actively supporting animal rescues for the past 10 years and has been fostering dogs for over seven years—with a few cherished “foster fails” along the way. Her combination of financial expertise and deep compassion for animals ensures that MCares remains both fiscally responsible and mission-driven.
Kenny Hopkins
DIRECTOR
Kenny Hopkins is a respected leader in Montague County with a strong passion for animal welfare. A dedicated dog lover, Kenny brings valuable expertise in fundraising, community engagement, and digital strategy.
As the owner of a digital media company, Silver Bullet Web Solutions, Kenny supports MCares with vital technical skills to grow its online presence and connect with supporters. His leadership and creativity make him an integral part of the board.
Joy Story
DIRECTOR
A North Texas native, Joy Story brings professional expertise in office and veterinary clinic management to the MCares board. With a strong background in administrative operations and hands-on experience in animal care, Joy offers valuable insight into both the business and medical sides of animal welfare.
Coming from a family of lifelong dog and cat rescuers, Joy has a deep-rooted passion for animal advocacy. As a dedicated dog mom and long-time supporter of rescue efforts, Joy is committed to helping MCares improve the lives of animals in Montague County.
Jennifer Duncan
DIRECTOR
A lifelong resident of Montague County, Jennifer Duncan brings a wealth of experience with both domestic pets and farm animals. As a professional groomer, dog handler, and trainer, she offers hands-on expertise in animal care and behavior.
Jennifer’s breed-specific knowledge and deep understanding of animal needs make her an asset to the MCares board. Her lifelong commitment to animal welfare and local roots strengthen the organization’s connection to the community it serves.
