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Animal activists don't have Guerdon Stuckey to kick around anymore. If they want to protest the new guy, they'll have to find out the home address for Ed Boks, who is coming from New York to fill the role of general manager of the Animal Services Department (with interim in his title, initially.) Boks left his post in New York this month after his contract was not renewed, but the New York Daily News says the departure was mutual. Activists there were unhappy to see him go, and Mayor Villaraigosa says in his release announcing the appointment that "Ed is committed to my goals of making L.A. a more animal-friendly city, increasing adoption and spay/neuter, reducing euthanasia of abandoned and unwanted pets and forging strong public-private partnerships." Regina Adams, the department's former assistant GM, will bring her coffee mug over from Rec and Parks to hold the fort until Boks begins Jan. 3. The release follows:
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER
OF CITY’S ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced the appointment of Ed Boks as Interim General Manager of the City of Los Angeles’ Animal Services Department. The Mayor made the appointment following the termination of department General Manager Guerdon Stuckey.
“Ed Boks is a proven leader in his field and I am confident that he will bring strong leadership to the City’s Animal Services Department,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Ed is committed to my goals of making L.A. a more animal-friendly city, increasing adoption and spay/neuter, reducing euthanasia of abandoned and unwanted pets and forging strong public-private partnerships.”
Boks brings 22 years of experience in the animal welfare and control field to this position. He's also a retired pastor and a former management development consultant.
A nationally-known advocate of humane animal control practices, Boks comes to Los Angeles from New York City Animal Care and Control, where he served as the director for two years. He recently resigned from that position after setting in motion a turnaround effort to upgrade animal shelters, substantially increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter. During his tenure, New York City reduced euthanasia by approximately 20% and increased pet adoptions by 30%.
Prior to working in New York, Boks led the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control in and around Phoenix, Arizona, for five years. There he took a system that was killing 62% of the nearly 60,000 animals it took in annually and reduced the number to less than half. He also increased pet adoptions by 33%.
“Ed Boks brings unique experience in applying progressive animal care and control practices in the toughest arena possible - big city public shelter systems - and making demonstrable progress in the right direction,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “He has also shown an ability to work effectively with public employees and humane activists alike.
Boks will assume the post of Interim General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services effective January 3, 2006. Until then, Regina Adams will serve as acting general manager of the department. Ms. Adams has extensive experience with the Department’s operations, having previously served as Assistant General Manager. She is currently a senior manager within the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks and has served the city for 25 years.