DACC Managers

Lisa Eldridge is the Public Safety Division Manager for the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. The Public Safety Division includes Critical Case Processing, the Major Cases Unit and Emergency Response. Lisa has been with the department since 1995, starting out as an Animal Control Officer at the Castaic Animal Care Center.

In 2015 Lisa was assigned the Animal Control Manager position at the Carson-Gardena Animal Care Center and was transferred to the new Palmdale Animal Care Center in April 2016. Lisa is also the Equine Response Team leader and coordinator who oversees the volunteer response to fires, floods and other incidents throughout the County of Los Angeles.

Lisa is dedicated to assisting the community with resources, education on preparedness and protecting animals. In her spare time, she enjoys paddle boarding and sailing.

Fred Agoopi has served as an Animal Control Manager for the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control since 2021. His journey with the Department began in 1999 when he was hired as an Animal Shelter Aide. Over the years, he has moved up through the ranks, gaining valuable experience in animal care, public service, and emergency response. In addition to his current role, Fred has also served as the Department’s Emergency Operation Coordinator and was a lead for the Departmental Animal Response Team (DART), helping coordinate emergency efforts and disaster response involving animals.

Fred is passionate about improving animal welfare and building strong relationships within the communities he serves. He focuses on increasing public education, expanding outreach efforts, and encouraging responsible pet ownership. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to both animals and people.

Outside of his professional life, Fred values spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys being in nature and finds peace and inspiration through his love of the outdoors.

Loren Newman is the Human Resources Manager for the Department, where she currently oversees the Human Resources Division. She has dedicated 33 years to public service with Los Angeles County, beginning her career in 1990 and steadily promoting through the ranks into leadership roles.

Loren brings 17 years of human resources experience, including 16 years in management, specializing in Performance Management, Employee Relations, HR Operations, and workplace investigations. Her extensive knowledge and passion for helping others have played a key role in supporting the Department’s workforce and mission. Her commitment to public service has been a driving force throughout her successful career.

Outside of work, Loren enjoys cooking, spending quality time with her family, volunteering with special needs children, and traveling. She also adores her family’s Yorkie, Bailey, who is always by her side.

Dr. Samuel Ortiz is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), where he leads the department’s information technology strategy and operations. In this role, he oversees critical functions including IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data and analytics, system implementation, and mobile technology initiatives. His leadership ensures secure, efficient, and innovative technology solutions that support the department’s mission of protecting and serving animals and the community.

Dr. Ortiz brings nearly two decades of distinguished public service, with deep expertise in IT leadership and digital transformation. Prior to his current role, he served as the Departmental Information Security Officer and IT Section Manager at the County of Los Angeles Department of Economic Opportunity, where he further honed his skills in technology-driven initiatives and public sector innovation.

Celebrating 20 years of dedicated service to the County of Los Angeles, Dr. Ortiz has earned a reputation as a respected leader in the public sector IT community, known for driving operational excellence and fostering a culture of innovation across county departments.

Dr. Ortiz holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Western Governors University.

Outside of work, he enjoys reading, watching films, and spending quality time with his family. He is also a proud pet parent to three cats, including one adopted from the Downey Animal Care Center.

Bradley Kim started his career with Los Angeles County in 2016 when he was selected to participate in the Management Intern program. Due to his passion for animals, Brad chose to spend his second year as an intern with the Department of Animal Care and Control and – as the saying goes – the rest is history.

Brad permanently joined DACC as the Grants Administrator, applying for grants and overseeing grant funds distributed throughout the seven care centers. During this time, he also became part of the Contracts Division team and helped garner new relationships with contract cities. He looks forward to further strengthening these relationships as the Contracts and Grants Division (CGD) Manager. Brad now serves as the manager of DACC’s Contracts, Grants, and Analytics Division.

Brad’s “paw-sion” for animals continues at home, too, where he and his wife frequently foster DACC’s unweaned kittens. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his DACC alumni dogs Hercules and Wish, painting, cooking, and cuddling his DACC foster fail kitties while watching the Miami Dolphins with his son.

Walter Almora is the Departmental Finance Manager I for the Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) since September 2021 after serving as the IT Budget Supervisor for the Department of Public Social Services since 2015. In total, Walter has accumulated more than twenty years of financial experience. As DFM I, Walter is responsible for managing all DACC financial resources, and oversees the Procurement & Warehouse Management Section; the Fiscal Operations Section; and the Budget Management that in FY 22-23 administers a $62 million budget.

Walter Almora has a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree from the California State University, Los Angeles. Also, a California Real Estate License since 2006.

Walter is married, has three children, a dog called Luna, and enjoys watching sports, traveling, and salsa dancing when possible.

Juan Carlos Maceda is the Animal Control Manager for the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control, a position he has held since 2024. His tenure with the department began in 2005 when he joined as an Animal Care Aid, and he has since risen through the ranks, demonstrating his dedication and expertise in animal welfare.

Throughout his career, Juan has held various roles and served in various locations within the department, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its operations and challenges. His passion for animal protection and commitment to serving the community are evident in his work, and he consistently strives to ensure the well-being of animals and provide exceptional service to the public. If you ever see him, he will always have a smile and a willingness to help.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Juan is a devoted family man, cherishing his role as a husband and father of two lovely children. He also has a Goldendoodle named Daisy that everyone loves. He finds joy in outdoor activities and enjoys embarking on road trips with his family, exploring different Capitol buildings across the country. Additionally, he is a graduate Wildland Firefighter, having completed the rigorous training program at Rio Hondo Community College.

Juan’s unwavering love to his family and his willingness to prioritize the needs of others exemplify his exceptional character. He is a respected and beloved member of the Agoura Animal Care Center team, where he serves as the fifth manager since its establishment in 1976. His leadership, expertise, and compassionate approach have significantly contributed to the center’s success in providing exceptional care for animals and supporting the community.

Javier Gutierrez is currently the Manager for the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center. He began his career as an Animal Shelter Aide in 1998 at the Carson Gardena Animal Care Center. During his tenure, Javier has served at a variety of locations and roles for the department. Prior to becoming an Animal Control Manager in 2015, Javier oversaw the operations of both North and South County Communication Centers. In 2006, Javier was trained to become part of the Department Animal Response Team (DART) which works in collaboration with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team.

Javier holds an Associate Degree in History from Cerritos College and is a member of the Los Angeles County Management Council. He likes to stay active in the community by volunteering his time as a youth football and cheer coach. He enjoys working with the kids and seeing them develop and grow in their academics, becoming future leaders in their communities as athletes. His family enjoys the company of a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix named Sophie that he adopted from the care center in 2007.

Justin Guzman has been an Animal Control Manager with the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control since March 2014. Justin began his tenure with the department as a Sergeant in 2014, as kennel operations supervisor for the Carson/Gardena Animal Care Center. Justin promoted through the ranks to his actual position and has worked in different animal care centers, while completing various assignments including overseeing DACC Licensing unit.

Prior to DACC, Justin worked in the law enforcement field with the South Gate Police Department as police officer and with Southeast Area Animal Care and Control (SEAACA) as an Animal Control Officer.

Justin has always enjoyed interacting with coworkers, volunteers, and members of the public. He is dedicated to continuously learning and assisting the community.

Justin spends his free time focusing on his family and is an avid baseball fan. His family has two dogs and a cat; “Lucy” a miniature schnauzer, “Faline” a Doberman Pinscher, and “Figaro” a domestic shorthair.

Paul Maradiaga has dedicated to serving the community through the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control since 2013. His journey began as an Animal Control Officer, a role where his passion for making a difference in the lives of animals and the community first ignited. Through a firm dedication, Paul Maradiaga ascended to the position of Lieutenant, a testament to his leadership and commitment.

He has assumed pivotal roles within the Department, serving as a field and kennel supervisor at two Animal Care Centers. In these capacities, he oversaw critical aspects of animal care and sheltering operations. Paul Maradiaga has served as the Emergency Operations Coordinator within the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control’s Public Safety Division. In this role, he has worked in close partnership with Los Angeles County’s first responders and state government entities, seamlessly blending expertise in animal welfare with emergency response efforts, and underlining the commitment to the welfare of residents, human and animal alike. Paul is a graduate of the Southern Utah University Animal Services Manager Leadership Development Program and CalAnimals Emerging Leadership Certification Program in the discipline of animal welfare. His proud service in the United States Navy exposed him to a challenging environment that demanded adaptability, discipline, accountability, and a strong work ethic. He served alongside dedicated and diverse individuals where he learned the importance of embracing differences and leveraging the strength of each team member.

Joseph Navarrete is currently the Interim Manager for the Downey Animal Care Center. He began his career as an Animal Care Attendant in 2009 at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center and has been promoted through the ranks. As an Animal Control Officer, he enjoyed working in the field, helping the people and animals that he encountered. Over his years of service, he strived to “be a voice for the animals”. He is also a member of the Departmental Animal Response Team (DART).

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering Degree from Cal State Los Angeles, which helped develop his skills in problem solving and innovation. Before joining the Department of Animal Care and Control he worked for a motorcycle company in Big Bear Lake, California. Living there he developed a love for nature and wildlife as an amateur photographer and artist. He has always had pets in his life. In 2016 he adopted his family’s current pet “Blue” a 7-year-old, tan, Husky mix. During Joseph’s free time he enjoys spending time with his family, trips to Disneyland, and restoring classic cars.

Nelson Gonzalez is the manager of the Lancaster Animal Care Center. He graduated from El Camino Real High School, and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. During his enlistment Nelson was stationed in Okinawa Japan, deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Australia, Thailand, Korea. Nelson is also a father to six children.

After departing the Marines, he attended East Los Angeles College where he majored in Administration of Justice and met his wife, Cinthya. He recounts that as he explored career options, he encountered an Animal Control Officer from the Downey Animal Care Center and was able to speak to them about their job duties and responsibilities. He quickly discovered that a career in animal welfare encompassed two things that he was passionate about Law Enforcement and Animals.

In August 2009, Nelson began his career with the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control as an Animal Care Attendant at the Agoura Animal Care Center. While at Agoura, he diligently learned the duties and was promoted to Animal Control Officer III. On May 3, 2021, Nelson became a Certified Animal Control Officer (CACO). In June 2021, he transferred to the Palmdale ACC and served as the Kennel Sergeant. In December 2023, Nelson was promoted to Lieutenant at the Palmdale Animal Care Center and then promoted to Animal Control Manager as of April 2024 over the Lancaster Animal Care Center.

Daniel Dibene started his career with the County in August 2006 as an Animal Shelter Aid and proudly worked his way through the ranks of Animal Control Officer I-IV at the Department of Animal Care and Control, calling it his only HOME. Daniel says, “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside our current leaders that have helped me by coaching and mentoring me during my time with the department. I would like to give thanks to Danny Ubario, Raul Rodriguez, and Chris Cirar.

Outside of work, I’m a husband and a father to three beautiful daughters, my oldest Alexis, middle child Leilani, and youngest Ellie. I also have two dogs which I rescued from the Lancaster Care Center and are also girls. I enjoy spending time with my family by going camping, riding bikes, or going on family vacations. I believe being able to separate my home life from my work life provides me balance to strive to be better at both. One last thing I enjoy is my Dallas Cowboys! My goal is to be the best version of me I can be and provide guidance and leadership to the Lancaster Care Center staff and be the voice for the animals in our care giving them the best opportunity possible to get to their furever homes.”

Thomas Kalinowski is the Animal Care Manager for the Behavior and Enrichment Team for the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control. He is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). He began his career with the department in 2024, prior to that he has held various positions in animal welfare.

Thomas’ start was as a volunteer for City of Los Angeles Animal Services, and then working in veterinary hospitals before landing a career as an Animal Care Technician with LAAS and promoting through various supervisory and management positions. With a short time as the Director for SPARC he then moved on as the Foster Care Coordinator and then Supervisor for Ventura County Animal Services.

When he’s not at a care center, Thomas enjoys spending time with his family, two cats, and four dogs. He enjoys staying active with frequent hikes and resistance training. Thomas has always been grateful for his life experiences, connecting with people he has met and worked with through his life. He has always had a passion for helping the animals, especially the most vulnerable.