Submitted by The City of Lacey
The Lacey-Olympia-Tumwater-Thurston County Joint Animal Services Commission has hired Ricord (Ric) Torgerson as the commission’s new Executive Director. Torgerson replaces Susanne Beauregard, who retired in June after 25 years with the agency.
Torgerson holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of California, Davis. He also earned a bachelor’s in Biological and Biomedical Sciences and a master’s in Wildlife Herd Health, Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology from U.C. Davis. Torgerson formerly was the Vice President for the American Humane Association in Denver. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Washington D.C.; as the Department Head for the El Paso Zoo; and as the CEO of ZooMontana in Billings. Additionally, Torgerson’s career includes positions as an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, and a Senior Veterinarian for the state of North Carolina.
Torgerson has an extensive military career, most recently serving as a Senior Regional Development Officer and Deputy Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan from 2011 – 2014. He also served in Iraq as a Civil Affairs Detachment Commander/Deputy Team Leader Chief of Staff and a Provincial Reconstruction Team Lead. He recently completed his deployment and has returned to the reserves, and will be retiring next year with the rank of Colonel.
Animal Services is an intergovernmental agency that is funded and supported by Thurston County and the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. Services include animal care and welfare, licensing, adoptions, and enforcement.
“We are excited to have someone with such an extensive background step into the leadership position,” noted Jeff Gadman, Joint Animal Services Commission Board Chair and Lacey City Council member. “Ric’s broad experience in animal welfare, organizational management, and budgeting and fundraising will bring Animal Services to the next level in terms of service to the community.”
Torgerson’s first day will be August 26.
