Board of Directors

We are honored to have a dedicated group of professionals, who volunteer their time and expertise:

Dr. Colleen Currigan, President, is the founder and owner of Cat Hospital of Chicago. Colleen graduated with her undergraduate degree in Sociology from St. Mary's College/Notre Dame, Indiana. She is a 1985 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Colleen has practiced for 23 years exclusively with cats in the Chicagoland area, including from 1993-1998 with her own feline homecare practice. She is an active member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association.

Edgar Scott Rife, III, Treasurer, has been in the real estate industry for over 30 years, and is currently a residential realtor for Prudential Rubloff in Chicago. Scott also serves on the Board for Realtors to the Rescue, a local animal rescue group comprised of local real estate professionals. Scott has been involved with Tree House for nearly 15 years, and he lives in Chicago with his best friend, a beautiful rescued stray cat named Starette.

Christopher E. Ott, Secretary, is a senior manager with Gurtz Electric Company in the northern suburbs. Chris and his wife Maura have supported Tree House for many years, and Chris became more involved through a TNR project he conducted near his home in northern Chicago. Chris joined the Board in 2009 and was named Secretary in 2010.

Steve Dale, Director, has been involved with Tree House for many years, and joined the Board in 2005. Steve writes a twice-weekly syndicated newspaper column (Tribune Media Services); is a contributing editor at USA Weekend; is the host of two nationally syndicated radio shows, Steve Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute and Steve Dale’s Pet World at WLS Radio, Chicago; edits Pawprints, a newsletter for veterinarians; and is a special correspondent for Cat Fancy. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Humane Association. His books include American Zoos and DogGone Chicago. Steve’s many awards include the distinguished AVMA Humane Award.

Robert Marovich, Director, is a Certified Fundraising Executive, and he has been involved with Tree House since he began consulting for the organization in 1999. He joined the Board of Tree House in 2002 and was elected President in 2003, which he served as for four years before resigning in 2007 to pursue other professional goals. Bob recently returned to the Board in 2010. Bob is also the editor of the Black Gospel Blog, is the host of WLUW's "Gospel Memories" since May 2001, and is working on a comprehensive history of the first fifty years of gospel music in Chicago.

Alan T. Prescott, Director, is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in the areas of taxation and financial planning. Over the years he has been involved in numerous local animal welfare activities; most notably having served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer with the Animal Care League in Oak Park. When he's not managing a feral colony in his neighborhood, Tom's five cats allow him to cohabitate with them in their River Forest home.