Pets Are Loving Support, Inc. (PALS), a nonprofit enabling pets to remain at home with seriously ill, disabled and elderly Atlantans, has named Thomas (Tommy) Burkhalter Executive Director. Burkhalter, who previously served on the board of PALS, has 15+ years’ experience in banking operations & IT, including with Bank of America, Wells Fargo & Truist.

“Tommy has a wide range of talents and is able to make critical decisions on the fly and execute in a forward-thinking manner,” says Bill Golden, PALS Board Member & Treasurer. “And we’ve had a great ‘test drive,’ as he previously served on our board, actively engaging from the very start.” 

Along with his in-bank experience, Burkhalter also previously served as an independent contractor in fintech, financial services processing, software development lifecycle and product management. He resides in Midtown.

“I was already enamored of PALS, its mission and its rich history,” Burkhalter says, “and enjoyed my board service exponentially more than I could have expected, so when the opportunity came about to sync a career change with serving pets and people through this agency, I jumped at the chance.” 

Other members of the PALS board are: Mike Anderson, Controller and CPA with Carter Real Estate; Keith Barnes, Talent Employee Relations Manager for Deloitte Services LP; (Secretary) Michael Edwards, community volunteer and a retired banker; (Bingo Chair) Joel Feuer, a longtime Realtor; (Treasurer) Bill Golden, a longtime intown Realtor; Hannah Jarrells, a Partner with Baker Donelson; Jim Marks, the alter ego of long-time HIV/AIDS activist BUBBBA D. Licious, who has hosted PALS Drag Queen Bingo since 1997; and Jeremy Tarlow, a veterinarian and founder of Best Friends Blood Bank, an animal blood resource. Tarlow is an integral part of PALS’ monthly no- and low-cost vaccine clinic

Pets Are Loving Support, Inc. (PALS), an Atlanta non-profit, provides ongoing care and support to the pets of Atlantans living with disabilities due to HIV/AIDS and cancer, the disabled, veterans of the U.S. armed forces and the elderly. The 34(?)-year-old Atlanta 501(c)(3) provides pet food, basic care, vaccination clinics & other resources, enabling pets & their people to remain together to share the healing power of love. Learn more. Volunteer. Donate.