All current members of the Texas Animal Control Association are entitled to vote for the Board of Directors that leads the Association. Ballots must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, November 10th to be counted. Validity of any questionable ballot will be determined by the Nomination Committee of the Texas Animal Control Association Board of Directors and their decision is final.
If you are unable to register to vote, your membership is likely listed as lapsed in the system. Only current certified members have voting rights. Please click here to obtain or renew your membership. If you feel there is a mistake in the system, please email Al Garces so that corrections can be made.
Board of Director Candidates
Secretary Candidate (One Position Available)
Lacy DeHorney
I have worked with animals my entire life. I started out as a zookeeper working with elephants, rhinos, gorillas and orangutans among many others. I worked some customer service jobs as well as copy/print before I found animal control. I have been an officer in Arizona as well as here in Texas. I began my TX career in Mesquite where I quickly moved from officer to senior officer to field supervisor. I have since moved on to Lewisville Animal Services where I am lucky to work with an amazing team. I started with TACA as a coordinator and then was voted in as secretary to fill a vacant position. I enjoy serving this amazing community of animal control professionals and I strive to bring a new perspective and new ideas that will benefit the association.
Board of Director Candidates (Two Positions Available)
Michelle Baca
Michelle Baca is an Animal Protection Supervisor, who is employed with the City of Austin at Austin Animal Center. She has been employed with animal services for 10 consecutive years sharing new ideas to create and improve programs through out the shelter.In 2019, she was recognized by Texas Animal Control Association for winning the James Vyers Field Officer of the year award with it only being her first year in Animal Protection. She managed to carry on a record of implanting 51 microchips and returning 91 pets back home in the field in her first year and her numbers grew tremendously as she continued in this department.
The very next year she was promoted to the department lead. It was then when she encouraged other Animal Protection Officers to strive to push animals’ home. She trained officers to use the technique of implanting microchips in the field and also used other resources to keep animal’s home instead of ending up in the shelter.
She also became one of the department trainers and created many training presentations to help new officers better understand the purpose of the job.
In 2021 She was promoted to Animal Protection Supervisor and is now developing new ways of running the whole department by updating door hangers with QR codes and website to better educate the public. She is using her extensive knowledge from studying for 2 years of veterinary medicine in college and working 5 years in a veterinary hospital setting in both emergency and specialty (Neurology) medicine.
Officer Baca thrives for change for a better future for animals.
Layne Bower
Officer Layne Bower has been in the animal welfare industry for four and half years, and grew up around a plethora of animals, including but not limited to: horses, longhorns, pigs, chickens, peacocks, lizards, tortoises and of course dogs and cats. He began his professional journey in animal welfare in March of 2019 working for a small 501c3 dog rescue. Being able to provide enrichment to the animals while simultaneously pairing visitors with the ideal pet became his passion, however, he knew he wanted to make a larger difference for the houseless pets across the US. Layne strives to be a voice for voiceless and a protector for the broken.As an ACO, he not only enforces laws to keep pets and his community safe and informed, but also assists animals in need with nowhere to turn. Every day looks different for an ACO, and the thousands of animal lives he has touched are what keep him going. He holds a position as Lead Animal Care Officer and Dangerous Dog Investigator. He is not only a Field Training Officer, but also a teacher in the Academy, assisting to mold the minds of our cadets so that they can be the best, and most informed, Officers that they can be. His passion for animal welfare and community safety is something that he wishes wish to instill on all future Officers. He is heavily driven to be a teacher and an educator whenever possible.
John Fischer
I’ve worked in animal welfare for over 20 years and in public service as an ACO for 6. I have a passion for empowering and supporting the people working so hard in our industry. Our industry is changing. That is certain. Texas’ influence on that growth extends nationally. As a member of the TACA Board of Directors I intend to make sure that the boots on the ground are out in front of that change. Influence from fringe organizations cannot overshadow the hands-on knowledge Animal Control Officers bring to the table. I am excited to leverage the experience and wisdom of the current sitting Board with a renewed vision and strategy. Keeping the focus on each of you doing the work of public servants is paramount. As an association we need to make sure we are the hub for training and make sure it is available to everyone, particularly the under resourced or under supported agencies. Industry professionals should not be reaching into their own pockets for training and equipment. Compensation studies and strategies are long overdue in our state. The Texas Animal Control Association should spearhead that effort. Legislative changes need to be brought to the members for review prior to gaining the support of the association. Position statements need to be the voice for all of Texas and need to be discussed before publication. I am one person, but I promise I will listen and be the voice for each of you. I commit to transparency if I am elected. I will be available to our industry, members and nonmember alike. I want to share and learn from each of you and TACA is the platform to support that endeavor. It would be my honor to serve on the Board of Directors for your Texas Animal Control Association.
Angel Linscott
My name is Angel. I and married in a blended family with 6 kids and twice as many pets. I grew up in GA, but I've lived all over the place before we settled in TX permanently.I've been working in animal services for almost 6 years and have loved every minute of it. I worked in a small city with only 3 employees and I've worked in a larger city with about 20 employees. I know what it's like to be in an organization with no resources and I know what it's like to be in an organization with a lot of resources.
I'm currently a Coordinator on the TACA board and have enjoyed doing my part and would love to continue with the board, where I can continue to share my experience with TACA members
Brendon Moore
Brendon Moore began his career in 2012 when he enlisted in the United States Army as a Military Policeman. From 2012 to 2016, Brendon was stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky, where he conducted Animal Control and Game Warden operations as part of his Military Police duties. After separation from the Armed Forces, Brendon moved back to Texas and sought employment in the security field until he chose to focus on animal welfare.
In 2019 Brendon pursued a career as an Animal Control Officer with Seguin Animal Services, in Seguin Texas. In 2022, he was promoted to the position of Field Supervisor, where he remains today. Brendon’s professional passions are Wildlife Education, Investigations, and Public Relations.
As a pet owner, avid outdoorsman, and wildlife enthusiast, Brendon fights every day to advocate for the animals in our communities, both wild and domestic.
