MEET OUR TEAM

	JULIE WEISS MURAD Founder and President Parrot Behavior Consultant Julie Weiss Murad, affectionately known as The Birdbrain, has been involved with companion parrots for thirty five years. She is a national avian behavioral consultatnt based in Colorado. She has lectured both nationally and internationally and has written for several avian publications. Ms. Murad employs many ideas of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as taught by Susan Friedman, PhD, founder of Living and Learning with Parrots (LLP) which are based on the use of positive reinforcement. Julie has worked with a number of retailers, breeders, students, aviculturists, manufacturers, companion parrot "owners" and veterinarians to promote an educated awareness of the many needs of companion parrots. Julie is founder and president of The Gabriel Foundation®, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 1996. Headquartered in Colorado, TGF is dedicated to educating the public about the complex needs of psittacine birds through each of its seven programs: Education and Outreach, Adoption, Sanctuary, Rehabilitation, Rescue, Long-term Foster care, and Conservation.the importance of conservation to preserve the parrots in their wild habitats. In 1995, Julie opened The Birdbrain to provide information and product resources to enhance the human/parrot relationship. Always a revenue and support source for TGF, The Birdbrain became fully owned by The Gabriel Foundation in early 2008. All proceeds continue help to support the Foundation’s programs. Julie has been published nationally and internationally. In addition to her many national presentations, she has been a regular presenter at the AAV, AFA and NAVC conferences and  she has internationally Canada, the U.K., and Japan and She is a member of AAV, and a lifetime member of A.F.A. and WPT and Loro Parque Fundaçion. She is a member of A.S.A., IAATE and professional organizations in the animal sheltering community. She has traveled widely to observe parrots in their natural habitats and learn firsthand the critical importance of in situ conservation programs. Julie shares her home with many animals including a variety of macaws and cockatoo species, Amazons, Grey parrots, Eclectus, Great-bills, Poicephalus, lovebirds, cockatiels, and canaries. At Rancho Papagayo, many other animals can be found: Horses, donkeys, llama, sheep, dogs and cats – all rehomed.   Julie’s vision and philanthropy for The Gabriel Foundation have been shaped over many years and a variety of experiences. She has dedicated her resources to providing for the longeivity and future of the organization, its programs and its residents.
	Kris Ahlgrim, DVM Medical Director
	Jerry LaBonde, MS, DVM Medical Director
	Karen Biderman Executive Assistant Karen is proud to be celebrating her 4 year anniversary with TGF in October 2008.  As a pet photographer, Karen’s work was chosen “Best Doggie Photos of 2003” in Denver’s WESTWORD, featured in 5280 magazine, WB2 News, and ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS.  Her previous work included assistant casting film/television, producing theatre (including rave and rotten reviews) in Los Angeles, and theatre work as an actor both in LA and NY.  As a playwright, Karen’s produced comedy, “Imaginary Friends and Other Humiliations” was a big hit with imaginary audience members.  Karen has 2 dogs, Fred and Sam (she lost her dog Arthur to cancer 3 years ago), and a very sarcastic African Grey named Isis.
	Rick Ellison Director, Operations and Finance Rick’s love for animals began at an early age.  Raised on a small ranch in Oklahoma, many injured critters found a safe haven in his bedroom habitat. No turtle, frog or lizard was considered safe on the road unless the truck was pulled over and the animal was physically moved to the ditch. In fact, Rick still pulls his car over to scoot the animals along out of harms way. Those early experiences taught Rick the importance of all life.  His first bird was a budgie named “Blue Boy” who ferociously guarded the bedroom from intruders.  No sibling dared step into the room.  Decades later, Rick carries on that passion with a flock of parrots, two dogs and a hedgehog named Phyllis Diller.
	CORI KNOL Outreach, Membership, Website Development
	AVIARY & ADOPTION CENTER STAFF
	PATTI CHRISTIE, CVT, RN Director of Adoptions, Education and Avian Welfare Patti Christie has been a veterinary technician for 30 years.  She is also a Registerd Nurse in the human realm (although not practicing!).  She has worked in various capacities in veterinary medicine including technician, office manager and practice manager.  In 1999, Patti purchased and rebuilt a state-of-the-art bird boarding facility in Minneapolis, MN.  Avian Suites has been a model for veterinary practices and boarding facilities all over the country due to the high tech biosecurity standards used there.  She sold Avian Suites to a long time employee so she and her husband could move to Colorado for her position at The Gabriel Foundation.  Having been part of so many facets of bird care, as well as business, Patti brings many useable skills to TGF.  Currently, Patti oversees many of the programs and bird care at our Aviary and Adoption Center in Elizabeth.
	KAREN VANDERHYDE Coordinator, Relinquishments, Long-term Foster, Boarding and Sanctuary
	ANDREW BOSMAN Aviculture Coordinator Andrew is our Aviculture Liason,  and joined the TGF team  in July, 2007.  He has extensive experience in aviculture.  In South Africa, his native home, he worked in a  Quarantine station and also in a large breeding facility before coming to the US.  In 1993, he landed in Florida where he worked with top US aviculturists and managed a 600+ pair  breeding facility for 6 years.  He then operated his own smaller breeding farm for 5 years.  Andrew has a passion for understanding parrot species characteristics and nutritional diversity.  He  is  a huge asset to our programs   and has made many positive [Julie Murad] additions to the areas of diet and nutrition  in  companion bird care. Many of our adoptive families have worked side by side in the kitchen with Andrew to gain a better understanding of how to feed their own birds.
	THE BIRDBRAIN
	ERIK VOCELKA Sales Associate
	CHRISTAL DAVIS Sales Associate