Bayou Friends Forever
About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Bayou Friends Forever was established in 2022 with a heartfelt mission to support the Bayou Animal Services. Our vision is a future where every animal in the Dickinson area is cared for and loved. Our board of directors, a team of passionate animal advocates, steer us towards this goal, fostering a community where humans and animals live in harmony.
Meet the Board of Directors
Thuy Thai Gottlieb - President
Thuy T. Gottlieb lives on Dickinson Bayou and has been a resident of Dickinson for 3+ years. She’s a member of the State Bar and practiced probate law for a Houston firm until 2016, when she made the decision to join her husband, Judd, at Mount Pleasant Avenue (“MPA”). MPA is a luxury dog hotel in League City, Texas. It was founded by Thuy and Judd after recognizing voids in the dog boarding industry. While she loved practicing law, dogs are her passion.
Thuy was born in Houston, Texas. She has a BS in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas, an MBA in Marketing and Logistics from the University of North Texas, and a law degree from Texas Tech University.
Thuy’s history with Bayou Animal Services:
As a business owner, Thuy believes it’s important to give back to her community. In 2020, after seeing a social media post about a key staff member at Bayou Animal Services (“BAS”) being presumed positive for COVID, Thuy and Judd opened up MPA to 13 shelter dogs from BAS. They treated the BAS kids to the works (e.g., room service, spa services, pajama and movie parties, and dance lessons) at no cost to BAS. Not only was it rewarding, but they were able to get all of the BAS kids adopted.
Thuy was a founding member of Bayou Friends Forever, Inc. (“BFF”) and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for BFF.
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Collin Coker - Vice President
Collin is a native Houstonian. He attended Stratford High School and Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Collin brings execution and leadership skills honed from 33 years in sales, management and executive leadership roles across many fortune 150 companies. His experience in building businesses spans real estate, wireless communications, thermal energy storage, wholesale and retail energy industries. Collin acquired many acclaimed university sales and leadership certifications - including the Wharton School of Business, Villanova University, Rice University, and Motorola University.
Collin has been a resident in Dickinson for over 17 years. He and his wife, Stasi Coker, have three daughters who are wonderfully successful in their own careers in chemical engineering, civil engineering and medical/surgical fields. Collin believes in service and is currently President of the Dickinson Economic Development Corporation, Vice President of Bayou Animal Services BFF Board of Directors and serves as a member of the Dickinson Citizens Police Academy. “After many years of domestic and international travel, I felt strongly about giving back to my community and leveraging all the years of leadership and team building experience I garnered throughout my professional journey. I am anxious to support Bayou Animal Services through the Bayou Friends Forever Board of Directors.
Matthew Schweder - Treasurer
Matt is an experienced Sales and Business Development executive with proven success in rapid growth initiatives for multiple industries including construction, industrial/engineering sales and service industries. His experience includes strategic account management, new account prospecting, and building profitable long-term client relationships into multimillion-dollar revenue streams. Demonstrated expertise in account and business expansion and innovative marketing strategies that increase sales opportunities, execution performance, and customer satisfaction levels. Strong skills in building high-performance teams and achieving company goals.
Amy Elliot - Secretary
Amy is the mother of two grown children. She has been a healthcare worker in the surgical field for 30 years where she has held several leadership roles. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, camping, photography and hiking. After volunteering with nonprofits in the past she is excited to serve as the secretary for Bayou Friends Forever, inc. Amy and her husband, Jason, live in Dickinson with their two rescued dogs, Ruth and Agnes.
Sandy Young
Sandy Young, a woman of diverse interests and talents, retired from a fulfilling career at Marathon Refinery, where she held the position of Operations Supervisor. In this role, Sandy showcased her leadership abilities and operational acumen, earning respect and admiration from her colleagues.
An avid lover of the great outdoors, Sandy finds joy and rejuvenation in camping, hiking, and fishing. These activities not only speak to her adventurous spirit but also her profound appreciation for nature's beauty and tranquility. Beyond her outdoor adventures, Sandy is also passionate about woodworking. This hobby allows her to express her creativity and craftsmanship, producing pieces that are both functional and artistically appealing.
For the past 25 years, Sandy has called Dickinson home, embedding herself in the fabric of the community and contributing to its vibrant culture. Her home is a haven for three rescue animals: Sunny, Zack, and Bella. These "fur babies" are not just pets but cherished family members, showcasing Sandy's compassionate heart and dedication to animal rescue.