FAAS Executive Director John L. Lipp to Retire in June 2025

‘Dream job’ allowed him to follow his heart and build an organization that ‘our animals and the people who love them deserve.’

When I became the Interim Executive Director of FAAS in March of 2017 after having served on the board since 2011, it was never meant to be a long-term gig. A diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson’s in June of 2015 had caused me to leave a dream job in the nonprofit sector, and the reality of ever working full time again seemed physically impossible.

With our city contract negotiations stalled, I was tasked with either finding a path forward or planning an exit strategy that would have meant turning the daily operations of the animal shelter back to the city. Fortunately, with the support of an incredibly tenacious board, a passionate and caring staff and volunteer base, and forward-thinking city leadership, FAAS and the City of Alameda found common ground and a new working relationship that has saved thousands of animals, helped hundreds of our human neighbors in need, and created a new model of what a private-public partnership can be.

When I accepted the permanent position as Executive Director in October of 2017, I did so with the mindset of “one day at a time, one animal at a time, one life at a time.” Fast forward to the present, and no one is more surprised than me to see what one can accomplish when you dream big and live every day as a gift. Maybe that is the “blessing” of a diagnosis like Parkinson’s; it puts everything in perspective in this one beautiful and precious life we all have.

If being a good leader is all about understanding timing and building talent, on those two metrics I feel very successful. With that in mind, I have made the decision to retire effective June 30, 2025.

Serving as the Executive Director/CEO of FAAS has truly been a dream job, a wonderful way to end a 35+ year career in the nonprofit and public sectors that allowed me to follow my heart, dream big, and build an organization our community – the animals and the people who love them – deserve. While a part of me desperately wants to continue on, my body and mind remind daily that it’s now time for the next chapter, and to focus on my own health and healing.

In terms of talent, FAAS could not be in better hands. Over 30 incredibly talented and passionate staff work daily to run the main shelter on Fortmann, our adoption center at South Shore Shopping Center, and our hugely popular thrift store, The Thrifty Kitty, on Webster. They are supported by more than 200 caring and giving volunteers and a board of directors who work tirelessly for the community.

Over the next 10 months I will be working closely with the board of directors as we plan for the future and identify the next leader who will have the honor of stewarding FAAS forward.

We have an incredibly busy year ahead of us as we celebrate all that is possible at After the Ball, our annual fundraiser and gala on Oct 18th, 2024, the opening of our FAAS Animal Medical Services and Training Campus (FAMST) on Bay Farm, and a few other surprises (how’s that for a teaser!) to move our mission forward.

In the meantime, I look forward to continuing the work and dreaming big with each of you – one day at a time, one, one animal at a time, one life at a time.

With Gratitude and Hope,

John L. Lipp
Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter Executive Director/CEO

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