John Potash has a fascination for animals, and specifically reptiles, that started in early childhood with an interest in Dinosaurs which created an awareness for the living things around him such as insects, lizards, frogs, etc… This progressively developed throughout the years from youth curiosity to a hobby to a passion and avocation.

As a teen, John met Herpetologist Ken Foose, who became his mentor and helped set him on his path to herpetology and infatuation with venomous reptiles. As the significance grew, so did John’s desire for knowledge leading him to pursue college education, attend countless meetings, trainings, and symposia, and join a wide variety of interest groups.

Over the past 25 years, John has been on the board of a variety of reptile clubs, he served for many years on the Washoe County Animal Control Board, much of that time as the chairman of the board, and he founded the Wildlife Rescue Foundation, a non-profit organization that provided nuisance wildlife removal, wildlife rehabilitation, educational displays and programs, and a nationwide exotic animal adoption program.

Currently, John is a Founder and Facilitator for Sierra Nevada Academy of Kindred Ectotherms, Social Media Coordinator for International Herpetological Symposiums, board member of UNR's Intitutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Lobbyist for USARK, Owner of Get Rattled, Rattlesnake Avoidance Training for Dogs,  and is still a passionate hobbyist with a personal collection of reptiles and a child-like fascination.