Board of Directors
Please meet our 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Board of Directors!
We are so proud to have a group with such unique talents and diverse experiences to draw from.
This group of passionate folks will conserve and fully utilize every dollar you choose to contribute to our unified mission to save animals' lives.
John "Jim" C. Beam 1933-2022 - Emeritus
“Jim” - WHERE do we start? His track record in animal rescue dates back to the late 40s and continues in full force today. With the assistance of the likes of Pete Rose, Chuck Berry, and George Steinbrenner, Jim, along with his late wife Maddy, created a long history of building shelters in Florida, St. Louis, and, of course, right here in Effingham County.
After Jim, alongside Mary Ellen Eversman, helped the Effingham County Humane Society buy their building, Jim then teamed up with Sally Perles and created the well-known EARS, an ingenious foster-based network to be the “voice of the animals.”
Jim then moved on to the municipal shelter in Effingham and, alongside Heather Mumma, managed to finally make it truly a no-kill facility. They also petitioned the City of Effingham for 2 years and spanned 2 elected Councils to receive a beautiful expansion on our current Animal Shelter & Control. After a track record of putting thousands of animals down, this was indeed a monumental feat most 85-year-olds would shudder at tackling. Not Jim. He did not give up.
Heather Mumma
Heather started her quest for a no-kill county by accepting a Directorship on the Effingham County Humane Society board. After fundraising with her team from B&B Homes and seeing firsthand how that could save lives, she realized she had a passion for animal rescue.
After Heather was elected to the Effingham County Board in 2018, she was appointed “oversight manager” of the Effingham County Animal Control (now aptly named as a Shelter). Heather was instrumental in making the shelter no-kill from the day she walked in, and previously had been purchasing cats, fostering them, and rehoming them from that entity. When the right employees were in place, including the Warden, Michelle Shoot. Michelle remains the Warden today and has brought the Effingham County Animal Shelter to a place of love and light. Heather then moved on to aid Jim in petitioning the City for a building expansion and raised funds for a beautiful sign. Her business, B & B Homes, provided all estimating for the new addition to the building, while Jim personally guaranteed the City he would pay cost overruns if they occurred. It passed, and construction began!
Jim's "last animal project," as he called it, was the Cattery. Jim and Heather purchased and modified a building to open the shelter, north of Effingham.
Today, Heather provides the building and oversees daily operations at the Cattery. She handles social media, fields phone calls, facilitates adoptions, and much more—all to carry out Jim's dreams. Through her efforts, the Cattery helps maintain a no-kill county and aids surrounding areas with free consultations and guidance.
Nicole J. Nuxoll
Nicki earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University and has worked in the industry since.
Nicki stays current on evolving tax laws and incentives designed specifically for not-for-profits. Nicki works hand-in-hand with the Executive Director, on-site management, and grant writers to expand our services and make sure that all the "I's" are dotted and "T's" are crossed.
Nicki has a huge heart and has overcome adversity with tenacity and courage. There isn't a challenge she won't face head-on. She resides in Effingham with her husband Brad and their 2 pups.
Dr. Brittany Ishmael
Dr. Brittany Ishmael has served as the veterinary partner for Jim Beam's Corner Cattery since January 2021, providing weekly on-site medical care to our shelter cats for over five years. She graduated with her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) from the prestigious Royal Veterinary College in London and brings 19+ years of veterinary experience to her practice.
Dr. Ishmael's commitment to community animal welfare extends beyond traditional veterinary services. Her sustained partnership with the Cattery demonstrates deep operational familiarity, mutual trust, and a proven track record of successful collaboration. She provides comprehensive preventive care and medical oversight, ensuring the health and well-being of approximately 100 cats in our free-roaming sanctuary environment.
Her practice, Advanced Veterinary Care, serves the Effingham region with a focus on accessible, quality veterinary medicine for both owned pets and rescue animals. Dr. Ishmael's international education and decades of experience, combined with her genuine passion for animal welfare, make her an invaluable partner in our mission to maintain exceptional standards of care while keeping cats healthy, happy, and ready for their forever homes.
Becki Inyart
Animals have been my passion for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I was always bringing home animals that I felt needed a little extra help and love. Ironically, I never had cats growing up because I was very allergic—but as an adult, everything changed when I found my first abandoned cat. From that moment on, I was completely hooked.
I began volunteering at the Cattery in 2021, became an employee in 2022, and in 2024, I was honored to step into the role of Director. Being part of this mission—helping cats find safety, healing, and loving homes—has truly been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
I live in Sigel, Illinois, with my loving husband, Chad. We share our home with our six feline children and the ever-changing group of cats who pass through the Cattery on their journey to finding their forever families.
I'm also the proud mom of my son, Trenton, and his wonderful wife, Stacy.
Amy Adams
Hi, my name is Amy, and I live in Newton, Illinois. I'm the proud mom of an amazing son, Peyton, and five wonderful furbabies—three dogs and two cats.
Animals have always been a huge part of my life. I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't have at least two pets by my side. My love for animals led me to volunteer at the Cattery for a while, and that experience truly inspired me to try to help save as many furbabies as possible.
Seeing the transformation in these animals once they were safe, cared for, and surrounded by love was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me just how much compassion and kindness can change a life—both for the animals and the people who help them.
Lora Davis
Lora Davis developed a lifelong love of cats while growing up on her family's rural farm, where kittens were always part of daily life. That early connection sparked a lasting commitment to caring for stray and abandoned cats, eventually becoming involved with Jim Beam's Corner Cattery, where she now proudly serves on the Board of Directors.
Lora lives in Westfield, Illinois, with her husband, Raymond “Arkie” Davis. Together they have three children—Shane (Bekky) Davis, Tracy (Scott) Trosen, and Amanda (Chet) Burns—and five beloved grandchildren: Aiden Trosen, Addisen Trosen, Chase Burns, Diesel Davis, and Bryce Burns.
Professionally, Lora is an HR Representative at Justrite Safety Group in Mattoon, Illinois, where she has worked for the past three years. Her background includes supervisory experience for MasterBrand Cabinets as well as more than 15 years of real estate experience serving Coles, Clark, and Cumberland Counties.
In addition to her professional and volunteer work, Lora also serves as Co-Director of the Miss Southern Heartland Program, a local pageant within the Miss Indiana / Miss America organization, where she enjoys mentoring young women and helping them grow in confidence and leadership.
In her free time, Lora relishes spending time outdoors, gardening, crocheting, and sewing. She especially loves supporting her grandchildren in their many activities. Above all, Lora treasures time spent with her husband and family.