Humane Society Executive Director ousted over personnel management issues

After a three-year stint as executive director of the Humane Society of Warren County at its Julia Wagner Animal Shelter, the Royal Examiner learned this week that Meghan Bowers was peremptorily fired by the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC) Board of Directors approximately two weeks ago for allegedly “mismanaging” her employees.

According to information received from various unofficial sources, Bowers was called “on the carpet” allegedly to learn that one or more shelter employees had complained about her management style and the decision was made to terminate prior to her being called in by the board to announce its decision.

Meghan Bowers with Larry the cat during holiday season at Julia Wagner Animal Shelter. – Royal Examiner File Photos

This reporter reached out to colleague Malcolm Barr Sr., a former HSWC board president for verification. After several calls Barr said he had received confirmation of the “decision to fire” from a board member, and later from Bowers herself, without any further explanation. Several sources observed that a humane society Facebook post had been made of the action several days earlier — at least millennials were aware of it closer to real time.

Barr, who from his lifelong interest in animal welfare remains close to local humane society and Julia Wagner Shelter operations, said the board action “came as a shock” to him personally. He observed that from his perspective Bowers and her staff had made significant improvements to the shelter and society operations in recent years, including the opening of a downtown discount spay/neuter clinic, a successful fundraising merchandise store, and establishment last year of a project very close to his heart, the Dogs of War Memorial Garden at the Wagner Shelter grounds. In fact, Barr brought “official Washington” media attention to the event with provision of a guest keynote speaker from the D.C. office of Voice of America (VOA) — well, done Malcolm and Steve Herman!

As Dogs of War (and service dogs) Memorial Garden sponsor Malcolm Barr Sr. watches, now former HSWC Executive Director Meghan Bowers places wreath at inaugural memorial garden event. Below, Bowers and now HSWC Acting Executive Director Kayla Wines.

Barr said he was “sorry to see Meghan go, particularly under the circumstances” but that she had left behind a well-trained and extremely efficient deputy Kayla Wines, who has been given a six-month temporary appointment as acting executive director. “Apparently everything she was doing personnel-wise wasn’t all bad,” Barr laconically observed.