MEET THE BOARD
Diverse in occupation and experience, yet unified by our passion, purpose, and mission.
Back (L-R)
Carla Sweet+, Kathy Spangler*, Nate Hibschman*, Cameron DeBlasio#, Kyle Schaefer*+, Angela Christner*+, Lindsey Miller+, Theresa Brandon#+, Elaine Whitesides#, Jeanne Lawrence#, Carol Battistini*
Front (L-R)
Keith Gray#+, Ttirado (retired K9)#, Dixie The Praying Dog#, Brian Calvert#
*Denotes Board Member, +Denotes Capital K9 Campaign, #Denotes special friend
Kyle Schaefer
Chair / Co-founder
Corporal, HC Sheriff's Department
Kyle is a Corporal with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office and currently assigned to the Enforcement Division. He is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Criminal Justice and also a graduate of the Indiana University Police Department Cadet program earning his ILEA certification in 1993. He has over 13 years’ experience as a K9 Handler and trainer and currently working with Deaks, a 4 year old Dutch Shepherd.
John "Drew" Ward
Vice Chair
Sgt, Indiana Department of Corrections
Drew, a dedicated and experienced Sergeant, plays a vital role in the Central Indiana K9 Association. He brings extensive law enforcement experience, having served as a Correctional Police Officer at the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) in 2018 and as a Delaware County Reserve Sheriff Deputy since 2012. Drew's commitment to the community is evident, and his expertise in criminal justice, obtained through his associate degree from Ivy Tech, allows him to excel in his position. Currently, Drew partners with K-9 Aldo, an exceptional 2-year-old dual purpose Dutch Shepherd, while also caring for his retired K-9 partner, Kato. With a decade of experience working with dogs, Drew's dedication and proficiency make him an invaluable member of the Central Indiana K9 Association team.
Carol Battistini, CPA
Treasurer
email: acctg@cik9.org
With her husband Peter, Carol has lived in Avon since 1994. Carol’s professional career included controller for Olive LLP, controller and chief operating officer for Locke Reynolds LLP and practice services administrator for Frost Brown Todd LLC. Since retiring in 2013, she volunteers with Hendricks County Humane Society to include serving on its board of directors. Carol also volunteers with the Hendricks County Historical Museum. Pictured here is their coonhound mix Claire: this was her first day with us a year ago!
Kathy Spangler
Fundraising Director
email: giving@cik9.org
Assistant Vice President, Old National Bank
Kathy has been in community banking for over 29 years. Kathy co-chairs the Ace committee for Old National Bank Indy market. Kathy serves as the Fundraising Director for Central Indiana K-9 Association, as well on several other community-based organizations: Treasurer for Westside Professional Women, Board member for Avon Chamber, Avon Education Foundation and Jameson Camp. Kathy Spangler is a volunteer for Avon PD Night Out Against Crime, Gleaners Food Bank, Seeds of Hope and Military Veterans Resource Group.
Nathan Hibschman
K9 Training Coordinator
email: training@cik9.org
Deputy, HC Sheriff’s Department
Nathan is a K9 Handler and Trainer with the Hendricks County Sheriff's Department. He is a graduate of IUPUI where he obtained a BA in Economics with a minor in History from Indiana University. In 2008, Nathan started as a reserve with the Hendricks County Sheriff's Department and was later hired full time in 2012. In 2015, Nathan was partnered with K9 Edo who at the time was an 18-month-old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix. Edo was born in Slovakia and came to the Sheriff's Department as an untrained dog. Since then Nathan and Edo have completed both narcotics detection and patrol school making Edo one of four dual-purpose K9s currently with the department.
Angela Christner
Recording Secretary
HR Business Partner, FedEx Ground
Angela does not work in law enforcement and has never been on a Board of Directors. When Angela learned about the Central Indiana K9 Association, Inc., she told Theresa Brandon, "You had me at dogs!" Angela has been with FedEx for 17 years and is currently an HR Business Partner at the FedEx Ground operating company. Angela works with her husband as a real estate agent. She also gives back to the community by working with organizations such as Gleaners Food Bank, Keeping Indianapolis Beautiful, and BOSMA Enterprises. Angela has two dogs named Macy (white dog) and Sofie (black dog).