Monmouth County SPCA Names New Executive Director

Freehold, NJ - The Monmouth County SPCA Board of Trustees has announced that effective immediately, interim Executive Director Chief Ross Licitra, has accepted the permanent position of Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA. In the past 12 months that Chief Licitra served as interim Executive Director at the shelter, adoptions were up by 16% and ongoing operational expenditures were reduced 11%.

That is notwithstanding the 617 cases of animal cruelty that were investigated in Monmouth County.

After a lifetime career in law enforcement, Chief Licitra came out of retirement to come on staff at the MCSPCA in May of 2015. He brought more than 30 years of experience to the job, most recently as a Lieutenant in charge of narcotics with the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. In the past year, Chief Licitra has led, effectively prosecuted and rescued animals in dozens of cruelty investigations, most notably one this past June in Howell, where nearly 300 dogs were saved from a hoarding situation. (Read the Howell hoarding story here.)

“We are confident that Ross’s experience, knowledge, and integrity will provide strong leadership at the MCSPCA, and look forward to continue working with him in order to fulfill our mission of protecting animals and serving the residents of Monmouth County," said Daran Haber, Monmouth County SPCA Chair President.