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By: Erin Johnson
Dr. Thomas Niccum, Ph.D., of Eagan, was recently elected president of the Minnesota Valley Humane Society (MVHS) board of directors. Niccum is the president and cofounder of Lancet Software Development Inc., an Eagan-based professional services firm.
Niccum said he became familiar with MVHS when he adopted a couple of his dogs there. An avid photographer, he said he saw the opportunity to volunteer his photography skills for the organization’s various events.
“I was looking for ways to do some photography and not worry about the business aspect of it,” he said. “I take my photography very seriously, but I didn’t want to start another business.”
Niccum began volunteering at MVHS almost two years ago as a photographer for the organization’s “Posing Paws with Santa Claus” event. He also photographed last year’s Woofer and Hoofer Pet Festival and Walk. Soon after he began volunteering, a position on the board opened up.
“At that point I’d gotten involved enough that it just seemed to click,” he said. “They had an opening on the board and asked me to join.” Niccum became the board’s vice president before being elected president this year. Former MVHS Board President Jan Stapleton now serves as vice president.
“I’ve immensely enjoyed working with the Minnesota Valley Humane Society for the past year and I look forward as president of the board to helping raise greater awareness about its mission,” Niccum said. “MVHS does a good job of caring for animals in a profound, caring and professional manner and that’s worth promoting here in the river valley of the greater metropolitan area.”
MVHS is a fantastic place with a dedicated staff, he said. “The people just care so much. Volunteers last year gave in the range of 25,000 to 30,000 hours of their time,” he said. “And we have one of the highest adoption rates in the country. Euthanizing animals because there’s no space has kind of become a thing of the past.”
Lynae Gieseke, executive director of MVHS, said Niccum has been a wonderful addition to the board and will make a great president. “His leadership skills from the business world, combined with his enthusiasm for our work and his artistic talents, are a generous gift to people and animals in the communities we serve,” she said. “We're happy to have him as president.” Niccum brings not only business experience to the board, but a worldly vision as well.
A self-taught photographer, he has traveled extensively with renowned photographers such Steve McCurry, a 20-year photographer for National Geographic Magazine. Niccum is also an online editor for Popular Photography Magazine and has helped lead in-country photography mentoring programs in countries like Afghanistan, India, Cambodia and Myanmar. Niccum’s work can be seen at www.midgewink.com.
A couple of weeks ago, Niccum traveled to Afghanistan on a photography expedition that took him to Kabul and the surrounding area. Even though that part of the world is not currently a popular travel destination, Niccum said he wasn’t nervous about making the trip.
“There are millions of people who live in Afghanistan. Who am I to be afraid?” he said. “I am a firm believer that people need to overcome their fears and go out and see the world. You see a lot of similarities between people, and they become a lot less mysterious.”
Niccum said he doesn’t shy away from bad experiences because they often make the best stories. “People are often too afraid of things going wrong, but those are the best times,” he said. “You get years of storytelling out of one bad experience.”
Niccum may enjoy overcoming adversity, but he said his job at MVHS had been made easy by those that came before him. “Most of the programs at MVHS and the vision of Lynae and the past board and staff have been realized,” he said. “Now we’ll be able to work on more advanced things, like spaying and neutering every animal that goes out for adoption.”
The current board is stable, effective and committed, he said, thanks to the past efforts of Stapleton. And funds donated to the organization are well spent, he said. “We have two accountants that sit on the board, and every penny is watched and spent on something good,” he said. “I’m proud of what we can accomplish with a fairly small amount of resources.”
For more information on MVHS, visit www. mvhspets.org.
Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm-inc.com. |