FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Holly Schwartz, County Administration
                (941) 335-2221

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 25, 2001) – Lee County Administration announced today that Scott Trebatoski has been selected as the new director of Lee County Animal Services.

Scott is a 3-year county employee, most recently serving as Employee Services Manager in the county’s Human Resources Department. Holly Schwartz, Assistant to the County Manager, has served as Interim Director since August of last year when the prior director, Pamela Hodgens, resigned.

"Scott brings strong management skills – especially in the area of employee relations – to the position and he has an enthusiasm for developing an Animal Services Division of unmatched service excellence," Schwartz said. "We are very happy he has accepted the position."

Scott has a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA, both from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Prior to his employment with Lee County he was a controller and department manager for a lumber company in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He also is a land steward and volunteer naturalist at Manatee Regional Park and other Lee County parks locations, including Six Mile Cypress Slough.

A five-member screening panel of county employees and local representatives from the animal services field interviewed four finalists for the position Friday and recommended two, including Trebatoski, for final interviews with County Management.

Lee County Animal Services enforces all laws and ordinances relating to the licensing and possession of pets in Lee County and its cities. Activities include responding to animal nuisance complaints, conducting cruelty and neglect investigations, performing animal rescues and administering licensing, rabies control, and educational programs. Animal Services also runs an animal shelter, located at 5600 Banner Drive near the Sheriff’s Office off Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway, for lost and abandoned pets.

The division employs 32 people, including 13 animal control officers, and has a fiscal year 2000-01 operating budget of $1.7 million.