Board Of Directors

Paul Lowrance

Paul is the Creator and Founder of the Carlee Cause. Paul lives in Gastonia, married with a daughter and son in law also in Gastonia and the proud Paw Paw of 2 year old twins. He is currently the proud "dad" of Maggie. Maggie is a mixed beagle and shepherd that someone abandoned in his neighborhood back on April 28th, 2017. Paul was walking Carlee at the time and Maggie just followed them home and never left. Maggie become Carlee's baby sister. Maggie was estimated to be around 3 years old at that time and they celebrate her birthday and gotcha day at the same time.

Jamie Terry

Jamie is a full time Professional who also shares a passion for animals. Jamie loves spending time with family and friends and has a special love for her two Boxer Babies, Tucker and Rocco. Jamie lost her first beloved Boxer, Fredo, in 2018. Jamie is the proud Mom of one son and is so happy that he shares her love for animals.

Shannon Thomas

Shannon grew up on a small farm in Mount Holly. She was always surrounded by animals. Horses, goats, chickens, donkeys and the occasional pig! Today, she and her family have a dozen chickens that make her "eggceptionally" happy, a black lab Nelli, barn cat Callie, and (2) mini donkeys that currently reside on the Anne Springs Close Greenway where they frolic and love on the guests. Shannon lives in Belmont with her husband Brad and son Logan. Logan is finishing up his senior year at UNCW. Brad and Shannon work with Creative Solutions Special Events.

Alison Pennington

Alison Pennington is the owner of Perfect Pet Dog Training, LLC in Gastonia, NC. She is a graduate of Elon University’s School of Communications. For five years after graduating from Elon University, she spent much of her free time volunteering at local shelters and rescues. Working with dogs was always a passion for Alison, so she decided to make training her fulltime career.

Alison became certified in on and off leash obedience and canine behavior modification in 2009. After graduating from Trainer School, Alison was hired as a Trainer, covering the Charlotte metro area. She began with private lessons, moving into group and in home training programs, and then in kennel training. Alison became interested in Therapy dogs and became a Certified Therapy Dog Trainer. She was involved in starting a local Therapy Dog Club in the Charlotte area. During this time she trained and assisted many of the TDC members on their visits to local nursing homes and schools.

Alison is a current member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator, AKC STAR Puppy evaluator and certified in Pet CPR and First Aid. She attends as many conferences and continuing education programs as she can, to help her provide the most up to date training regimens possible. Alison is the proud parent of two rescue dogs – Merry a Lab mix and Hank a Pitbull. She also has two rescue cats – Harriet and Dani.

Del Barajas

Del Barajas was born in Topeka Kansas. He is the CEO of a growing marketing agency located in Gaston County. Del also serves on the Board of Directors for the Montcross Chamber of Commerce. Another passion for Del is ministry. He surrently serves at Core Church in belmont as Youth Pastor. Del has lived with animals all his life. At one time he had 7 dogs his family was taking care of. This cause holds a special place in his heart as he has had to work through the loss of he loved ones.