The Longview-Cowlitz County Humanitarian Society celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new Executive Director.
Darren Ullmann joined the Humanitarian Society as a new board member on Monday. Ullman recently retired from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office after more than 20 years, and was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 2019.
Ullman said he was approached by members of the community over the past few weeks about the possibility of playing a humanitarian social role. Ullman had never worked as a nonprofit leader before, but he said he liked the work the humanitarian community was doing in the county.
“If I were to retire, I thought there would be a reason. I want to be here with a group that means something, and I’ve always been a big animal lover.
Board member Dave Spurgeon said the board liked Ullmann’s enthusiasm, his connections with the sheriff’s office and his business experience working with his wife Denise at Ullmann Family Homes. Spurgeon hoped Ullman would be a strong fit for the agency in the long term.
Mr. Ullman will be the third Executive Director of the Humanitarian Society in the last two years. Charmaine Naurochi resigned in his spring of 2021, while Christopher Cohn retired in November and Columbia River, where he took a job with mental health services.
Ullman joins the Humane Society during the agency’s busy season. The kennels are operating at near capacity and full-time veterinarians are busy treating feral cats and pets.
Later this spring, the Humane Society will begin a fundraiser to work on the long-awaited effort to build an expanded and improved shelter.
Cowlitz Humane Society expects record adoptions in 2020 as local animal services needs grow
“We have reached the limits of our capabilities and it is important that we have the community support we need to continue this,” Ullman said.
Ullman also plans to negotiate new contracts with Longview, Cowlitz County and other cities to provide animal control services. He said the work aspect of the agency isn’t always a priority, so he wants to improve animal control facilities and strengthen links with law enforcement.
The Ullmann family lives outside Castle Rock with four dogs and five cats. Over the years, the Ullmans have adopted multiple animals from humane societies, including a three-legged boxer.
