The Golden Retriever Club of America

RESUMES FOR CANDIDATES FOR 2006 ELECTION

Candidates for the Office of President

Name: Christine Miele
Address: 238 Sarah Wells Trail, Campbell Hall, NY 10916
Tel: 845-615-1565
E-Mail: XCREEK@aol.com
Cell: 845-649-2819

Golden Experience. Currently we have 5 Goldens including Piper who is a MACH2 and ADHF dog and her energetic son who, being optimistic that he will ever mature, is a ½ MACH . Icey is competing in Open Agility and her baby sister has started in Novice. Simon had a rock-eating episode last year which set back his show career until his hair grows back. I have been fortunate to have multiple champions and specialty winners, outstanding dam, and even one CD. Under the kennel name of Cross Creek Goldens I have bred 8 litters over the past 16 years.

Club Involvement:

Member of GRCA since 1987 (est.)
Member of Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club since 1987.
President GRCA 2004-
Eastern Regional Director GRCA 2003-2004
Board Positions for HVGRC: Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Vice President, President. Total 8 years on Board.

Other club service: Program Coordinator, GRCA Delegate, Public Education Coordinator. Specialty Chair, Agility Specialty Chair.

Founding member and past President of Skyline Agility Club, which was the largest agility club in the US. Currently a lifetime member.

Other Activities:

AKC judge for Golden Retrievers.

AKC Agility Judge -- since the program began.

AKC Agility Advisory Boards. I was on the second, third and fourth advisory boards formed. The second and third boards basically rewrote the agility rulebook. The fourth advisory board was responsible for coming up with a Championship title program for agility, viz. the MACH.

AKC National Agility Committee. I have been a member of this board since its inception. The duties include making recommendations for the entry requirements of the AKC National Agility Championships.

AKC World Team Travel Coordinator. I have organized and coordinated all the travel for all eight AKC World Agility Team overseas competitions, including but not limited to flight arrangements, hotels, bus transportation, banquets and communications with all the team members, sponsors and supporters.

GRCA Advisory Board Chair for the revision of the VC/VCX

GRCA Advisory Board member for the Agility Dog Hall of Fame Requirements.

GRCA Board Liaison for the Yearbook Committee

Education Liaison with Betty Gay for 2004 National Specialty and 2004 Regional Specialties.

AKC Crufts Obedience Team Travel Coordinator. 2004 and 2005.

Seminar presenter and agility instructor. Currently I teach dog agility and have given seminars and clinics on agility both with many of the local clubs and training groups and around the US. I have lectured on the sport of agility for many of the local breed clubs pro bono, to spread information about the sport.

I also work with Purina on several of their television presentations for the Purina Dog Chow Incredible Dog Challenge and the Outdoor Adventure including the 2005 Dog Challenge in New Jersey.

Golden Retriever News Agility Columnist. One of my favorite activities is writing about agility as it relates to Goldens.

Clean Run Magazine, when time permits I also have written articles for this specialized publication.

“1001 Reasons To Love Dogs” co-authored with Mary Tiegreen, due out in Fall 2005. Publisher: Stuart, Tabori & Chang.

Reason for application:

I have debated about running for President for one more year and I feel that while we have made tremendous progress in our Board projects I would like to start some new incentives and continue refining others.

On my agenda of goals for the club is to make certain that our club's history is properly preserved and copies be made of our most valuable documents onto archival paper as well as digital media and to have more information on the growth and history of Goldens in America be made available to the membership. I would like to improve our online store and be able to offer the membership quality, affordable Golden Retriever items. I would like to I look forward to the website of our future incorporating a special members only section. I would like to have an expansion of the veterinary forms people can have placed in their dog's files to provide important research data. The transferring of some of our videos to DVD is also on the agenda. I would like to see some short 15-second video segments incorporated into the yearbooks. And this is just the beginning of the list. Every one of these items relies on the teamwork of Board members and other volunteers

Candidates for the Office of Secretary

Barbara Branstad
6720 NCR 15
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
970-482-9371
bbransta@lamar.colostate.edu

I took over the office of Secretary from Dianne Barnes in October, 2003, and was elected for a two-year term in 2004. I believe I have done a good job in this position and am asking to be considered as a candidate for the office of Secretary for a second, and final, two-year term.

Having spent thirty years of my life as a working librarian, organizing information and bringing order out of chaos, I find those same skills valuable as GRCA Secretary. Working together as part of a team is a very satisfying way of getting things accomplished. The first major project I completed was getting current job descriptions in place for all GRCA committees, officers and directors, and contract employees.

The second area of interest to me is the GRCA website. Under the leadership of the Technology Committee and the Webmaster, the site has vastly improved in the last two years. I am interested in working on the reorganization of the site and enabling it to get timely information to both GRCA members and to the public. While the website should never be considered as a replacement for the highly-regarded GRNews, I definitely feel the speed of access to information would be of real benefit to everyone.

Shortly after I took over from Dianne, I proposed that the Board prepare a weekly summary of “Hot Topics”. This summary of the Board's weekly discussions is available via e-mail on the Topica List and has been extremely well received. Membership on that list has more than doubled in the past two years. Posting summaries of issues currently being discussed before they are put in resolution form gives GRCA members the opportunity to comment on topics of interest to them and provides valuable feedback to the Board.

Since the GRCA Secretary files the applications with AKC for all events held in GRCA's name, I have become quite familiar with the process, and in some cases, quite frustrated by it. AKC has indicated they would be willing to receive suggestions for improvements and I would make that one of my top priorities for the next few years.

In my “dog life”, I continue to concentrate on the performance events. I love watching dogs work in the field, whether they are the top field trial dogs, or the family pet discovering birds and learning why “retriever” is part of their name. I also compete in both obedience and agility and find rewards in each area.

I would be honored to be nominated for the office of Secretary and, should I be elected, would consider it a privilege to serve.

Sincerely,

Barbara Branstad

RESUME

Barbara Branstad
6720 NCR 15
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
970-482-9371
bbransta@lamar.colostate.edu

Education

B.A. Whitman College, 1963

M.L.S. University of Denver, 1970

Four-week class in Parliamentary Procedure, Colorado State University, 2000

Employment

Librarian at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado, 1971-2002.

Held various positions in Cataloging, Acquisitions, Reference, and Collection Development.

Served on numerous Library and University Committees, including the University Grievance Committee and two terms as the Libraries' representative to the University Faculty Council Executive Committee.

Retired as Emeritus Faculty in October, 2002.

Club Experience

Golden Retriever Club of America. Secretary, 9/03—

Member since 1982. Western Regional Director, 1992-98. Wrote three editions of the National Specialty Handbook. Served as Specialty Advisory Chair, 1996-2000. Prepared indexes to resolutions 1982-1993, 1994-1999, and 2000-05. General Chair of 1989 GRCA National Specialty.

MileHi Golden Retriever Club. Member since 1982. Served on Board as Conformation Representative and as Treasurer. Actively participated in numerous MileHi activities: independent specialty, agility trials, hunt tests, WC/WCX. Banquet Chair, 2004-05.

Ft. Collins Retriever Club. Member since 1980. Served as President, Vice President, Treasurer. Was Field Trial Secretary for many years, also chaired Field Trial.

Colorado Women's Retriever Club. Member since 1985. Served as Board Member and Treasurer. Was Field Trial Secretary for many years.

National AKC Agility Championships, Denver, Colorado, 1999. Served as Hospitality Chair.

Dogs

Sunclad Streaker's Jupiter UD *** WCX (Still one of about 25 dogs to have achieved both the UD and all-aged qualified status)

Prairie's Coming Comet, CD, MH ** WCX, OD

Mioak's Capricorn ***

Morninglo's Celestial Explorer, CDX, JH, OA, OAJ, WCX, VCX

Celestial Fields of Gold, UDTX, SH, AX, AXJ, WCX VCD III

Ch. Ariell Celestial Sea Change, TD, MX, MXJ

Coppertop Celestial Archer, CDX, TD, JH, OA, AXJ, WCX

Judging Experience

8-point field trial judge, including judging the Amateur at the GRCA 2001 National Specialty

Have judged several AKC Junior and Senior Hunter tests.

Have judged numerous WC/WCX tests including the GRCA National in 1997, 2003 and 2004.

Selected Publications

Rutherford, Clarice, Barbara Branstad and Sandra Whicker. Retriever Working Certificate Training. Loveland: CO: Alpine Publications. 1985.

Beam, Joan and Barbara Branstad. The Native American in Long Fiction; an annotated bibliography. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. 1996.

Beam, Joan and Barbara Branstad. The Native American in Long Fiction: an annotated bibliography.

Supplement, 1995-2002. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. 2003.

AKC Gazette. GRCA columnist, 1988-98.

Candidates for the Office of Eastern Vice President

L. Collette Jaynes
3710 Ridge Road
Smyrna, Ga. 30080
770-434-9303
collette@jazzin.com
www.jazzin.com

Canine Resume

GRCA and AKC Experience

Member of Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA), 1984 to present
Eastern Region Director, 2004 to present
1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2003 GRCA National Specialties attendee
Multiple regional specialties attendee

Member Club Experience

Atlanta Golden Retriever Club -- Member - 1984 to present
Vice-President -- 2005
Board of Directors - 2004
President -- 2003
Web Master -- AGRC -- 2002 -- present (Designed & maintain web site)
Served on many committees throughout the years

Other Club Experience

Baton Rouge Kennel Club -- Member 1976 - 1981
Treasurer BRKC -- 1978 -- 1981
Obedience Trainer -- 1977 -- 1983

Golden Retriever History

AM/Can Ch JBG's Holy Guacamole, BIS, BISS (Eastern's 2004)
CH Jazzin's Hot Tabasco Sauce, CD, NA, NAJ ASCA-CD, CGC Therapy Certified
Ch Jabay's All That Jazzin, BISS
Ch Asterling's Filly Buster
CH Asterling Jazzin RR Corniche, CDX, JH, WC
Many other pointed goldens throughout the years

Other Breeds

Finished 8 English Springer Spaniels -- (1980 -- 1991)
Finished several other breeds for Clients -- Bull Mastiff, Labrador & Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
CH Cannonbrook's Red Ryder -- Clumber Spaniel

Other Experience

Fundraising for Canine Assistance -- 1996
Actively participating in Pet Therapy -- 1998 -- present

Candidates for the Office of Eastern Director

Ann Strathern
9802 Gas House Pike
Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-3876

My husband, Jeff, and I acquired our first Golden Retriever in 1972. Over the past 34 years, we have owned 13 dogs, training and competing them in licensed field trials, obedience trials and hunting retriever tests. They have also been exhibited in Puppy, Novice and Field Trial conformation classes at local, regional and National Specialties. Five of these were (***) Qualified All-Age and two earned JAMs at Licensed Field Trials (**). One was the second Golden in the Nation to attain the title of Master Hunter in October 1986. Nine dogs are titled with five WCX, ten WC, one UD, six CDX, two MH, three SH and eight JH. I currently have 3 Goldens in training and running Hunt tests and Field Trials.

I have raised 14 litters with puppy aptitude testing a standard part of placing puppies. OFA, CERF, SAS and Thyroid clearances are very important in planning my litters. The puppies are screened by a cardiologist at eight weeks prior to going to their new homes. My goal is to produce sound, good looking dogs that maintain their enthusiasm and ability to play in the field, show/obedience ring or with their families, well past the age of 10 or 12 years. Genetics plays a very important role in maintaining a breed that has become almost exponentially popular. Not only are sound Goldens the ideal, but also those that possess the kind of easy-going, willing temperament that have made them such excellent obedience dogs and family companions.

During the years, I have been involved with dog clubs across the United States, from the Willamette Valley RC and Eugene Kennel Club in Eugene, OR to the present day Potomac Valley GRC, Maryland RC and the Catoctin KC in Frederick, Maryland. I have served as President, Vice Pres, Secretary and Board Member in all of these clubs as well as chairing committees ranging from Education, eye & VWD screening, tracking and agility trials to Match, Specialty and Regional/National Specialty Shows.

Educating new “dog” people in whatever area they are interested in has always been a joy to me. This ranges from neophytes who have never owned a dog before to old-timers who decide they want to try working their dogs in the field or in obedience. I love to problem solve and try to attend as many seminars as possible from basic obedience training to fine-tuning the field trial dog, homeopathic techniques to wild-animal trainers. I have attended Senior Conformation Judge's seminars and the work sessions on Sporting, Herding and Non-Sporting breeds. My curiosity about dogs in general, and the Golden in particular, has never been appeased. I love to sit ringside and listen to the comments on the dogs, as well as the judging to further my knowledge.

As a Hunt Test and Field Trial “eight point” judge, I have been honored to have been asked to evaluate dogs across the United States, including judging a Master National in Reno, Nev. in 1994. I have also judged obedience match shows and have taught Open and Utility levels for our local all breed club.

Elected to the Master National RC board of directors in 1991, we formulated the bylaws and set up the foundations for the fledgling organization. As a member of the AKC Hunting Test Advisory Committee in 1991, we reviewed the AKC Hunting Test Regulations and recommended changes. In 1993 I assisted in the production of the AKC Video: Field Testing Your Retriever.

The AKC hunt test magazine requested I write an article on obedience as an integral part of hunt test participant training, and I have contributed articles to the GRNews on field training at the WC/WCX level as well as being field co-editor for two years. For my local PVGRC, I have contributed articles on breeding ethics and field work.

As a GRCA Board member and President from 1984-1990, I enjoyed working to make the GRCA the most progressive breed club in the AKC, concentrating on member club communication, the burgeoning problem of overpopulation and rescue, educating potential new Golden owners, lowering obedience jump heights and addressing concerns of the membership.

Most currently I have been the GRCA Yearbook editor from 1990 to 2002, the Trophy Curator from 1984 to 2005 and am the GRCA Delegate to the Potomac Valley GRC. I have served for the last year and one half on the Board of Directors, GRCA, Eastern Region.

I have been employed as a veterinary assistant for 22 years; however, my original training and Bachelors degree was in molecular biology. My husband is the Deputy Director for the National Cancer Institute and a laboratory director at the National Institute of Health, Frederick Cancer Research Facility, Advanced Biological Laboratory. My two children are grown and still share my love of, and for, the Golden Retriever.

Candidates for the Office of Central Director

DANA OAKS
221 Howard St., East Peoria, Il . 60612
309-699-1595
oaksgoldens@insightbb.com

EDUCATION

Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Associates of Applied Science - Architectural Construction

Certificate - Architectural Drafting

Associates of Applied Science - Law Enforcement

Associates of Applied Science - General Education

Credit hours towards “Bachelor Degree in Management” at The University of Illinois at Springfield, IL.

EMPLOYMENT

Branch Manager of Allied Construction - 2000 to present

Chief Estimator/Project Manager - 1994 to 2000

Chief Estimator Prairie Construction - 1984 to 1994

Heavy Equipment Operator - 1974 to 1984

I currently serve on several Construction Industry Boards.

Since 2000, I have chaired and served on the Contract Negotiating Committees for several Building Trades.

CLUB EXPERIENCE

Member of GRCA - 1992(est) to present

President of Town and Country Kennel Club ( Bloomington, IL) - 2005 to Present

President of Peoria Obedience Training Club ( Peoria, IL) - 2000 -- 2002

Board Member of Peoria Obedience Training Club ( Peoria, IL) - 1999

Vice President of IL. River Hunting Retriever Club 2005- Present

Chairman of the IL. River HRC Hunt Test - 2006

Hunt Test Committee Member - 2004 -2006

Obedience Trials Ring Steward, Show and Go Judge - 1994 to Present

Obedience/Rally Class Instructor - 1994 to Present

My dogs participate in Breed, Obedience, Rally & Hunt Tests.

PERSONAL

I have been married to my lovely wife, Diana for 22 years. We currently share our home with 5 beautiful Goldens .

We have titled several of them in both UKC and AKC venues, including hunt tests, rally and obedience. Recently, our youngest Golden Retriever attained his AKC Breed Championship. He also has his WC, WCX, and VC Certificates. I am, however, most proud of the fact that he is my hunting dog. During the quest for his AKC Breed Championship, it was not uncommon for him to hunt and retrieve pheasants, sit in a duck blind during freezing rain or a goose pit when the snow is flying in the same week he was shown in the Breed ring. Diana and I have become experts in removing burrs from a Goldens coat.

My other hobbies include photography and reading.

REASON FOR APPLICATION

I have been asked by some why I wish to apply for the position of GRCA Central Region Director. What are my goals for the club and my personal intentions? The answer that I can offer comes from experiences with my own Golden Retrievers and the people whom I have met over the years through my Goldens, and who love the breed, as I do. I have been blessed in that I am able to train and have become friends with the likes of multiple OTCH trainers, Master National qualifiers, AKC judges, and a Performance Dog Magazine Editor, along with breeders who are striving to maintain the conformation and working ability in the breed needed to get the job done physically and mentally!

Many of the spare hours spent at a show, or hunt test is spent talking about the perceived gap that seems to exists in Goldens as it relates to their working ability and conformation. We talk about the Champions of yesteryear. We ask ourselves what has caused the gap in the breed today and try to come to some conclusions on how to keep the gap from widening! As you can imagine the conversations can become spirited in the least.

Thus, my reason for running for the GRCA Central Region Director position is very simple in context, but may be quite difficult to bring about in my lifetime. However, if I have learned anything through the years that the best way to effectuate change is to do so from within.

I do not want to see the “gap” that now exists become wider! As a true Golden Retriever enthusiast, I want the gap to close! I want to be a part of bringing back that which Lord Tweedmouth envisioned for our breed. I want to be a part of bringing back the Golden Retriever that is described in our Breed Standard with regard to both physical and working abilities. The future “Golden Retriever” should not be molded alone by what is winning in the Breed ring, nor by which “line” has the best running/retrieving ability. There needs to be a “blend” of both worlds for us to get back to the true multi-purpose golden retriever!

I realize this is a very controversial topic among Golden Retriever aficionados. I read the e-mail lists and the “wars” that ensue! But if we continue to just hope the problem will go away without trying to correct it, then how can it be said that any of us are bettering the breed?

The human aspect of ego's, pride etc. has to be taken out of the mix. It is not about us, but about the breed.

I am not applying for this position to make friends or influence people for personal gain! I am applying for the position so that at the end of the day I can say I did everything that “I” could do…..to better the breed for future generations of Golden Retriever enthusiasts!

***

Brian D. Rex
10375 Roachton Rd.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
(419) 872-6387
brianrex66@yahoo.com

EXPERIENCE

Buckeye TeleSystem, Inc. (Division of Block Communications, Inc.)

CFO/Treasurer, 1996 to Present

Corporate Protection Services, Inc. (Division of Block Communications, Inc.)

Acting General Manager, 2006 to Present

Buckeye CableSystem, Inc. (Division of Block Communications, Inc.)

Treasurer, 1996 to 2002

Block Communications, Inc.

Internal Auditor, 1994-1996

Royal Tool, Inc.

Controller, 1992-1994

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Senior Auditor, 1989-1992

EDUCATION

University of Toledo, Toledo Ohio

Bachelors of Business Administration

PROFESSIONAL

Certified Public Accountant (inactive)

Member American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Member Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants

Boys and Girls Club of Toledo, Board Member

GOLDEN RETRIEVER EXPERIENCE

Member GRCA 1994-present

Review GRCA National Treasurer’s monthly financial records

Past President Golden Retriever Club of Toledo

Sweepstakes Judge

Cincinnati Golden Retriever Club

International Kennel Club – Northern Illinois GRC

During 14 years of owning, training, and showing golden retrievers I have had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting and learning from many wonderful individuals. One thing that has always impressed me about the individuals involved in all disciplines of the golden retriever fancy has been their willingness to give back to the breed. We all have our thoughts and ideas for improvements that we would like to see in the club. This variety of thought is what keeps our club vibrant and moving forward. It is incumbent on the board to listen to all of these varied perspectives and make decisions that are in the best long-term interest of the breed. I believe that it is important for the board of directors to keep the overall stewardship of the breed at the heart of all its actions and decisions. I would like to bring my years of business experience in finance and operations to the Board of Directors as well as my energy and passion for our breed.

Candidates for the Office of Western Vice President

Linda Marie Shipman
619.861.1285
9191 Shadow Hill Road
Santee, CA 92071-3238
http://www.chezor.com
Linda.Shipman@chezor.com

CANINE RESUME

GRCA and AKC Experience

Member of Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA), 1997 to present
GRCA Western Regional Director, 2004 to present
GRCA Public Education Committee Chair, early 2005 to present

GRCA Puppy Referral and Club Banner Board Liaison, 2004-2005

2002 and 2003 Candidates Forum member

2000-2002 GRCA Yearbook OS/OD Assistant

GRN Editorial Review volunteer

1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 GRCA National Specialties attendee

2000, 2003 GRCC National Specialties attendee

Multiple regional specialties attendee

Volunteer photo/result reportage of different venues within the above specialties to
Golden Retriever list groups.

Member Club Experience

Golden Retriever Club of San Diego County, member January, 2006 to present

Midnight Sun Golden Retriever Club (in GRCA approval process) 2002-2005Charter Member, 2002
Outreach Chair, 2002-2003

Local Club Experience

Member of Capital Kennel Club of Juneau (CKCoJ), 1996 to 2005

Instructor and curriculum developer
Puppy kindergarten
Conformation
Focused Attention
Canine Good Citizen
Rally-O

Director, Canine Good Citizen Tests

Chief Steward and Ring Steward, UKC obedience trials, run throughs, fun matches

Agility steward and scribe, NADAC trials

Golden Retriever History

U-CDX, UCI-Intl & Can CH Goodtimes Flower Power, Am-Can CDX, Am-Can TD, R2-MCL, CGC
“Iris” (1996 -- present)

Am-Can CH Mariner Aces High at Chezor, TD, Can CD, R2-MCL, CGC
“Angel” (1999 -- present)

Chezor Diamond Solitaire, CGC
“Julie” (2004-present)

Other Experience

Local liaison to the Golden Retriever Rescue of Fairbanks, the only GR rescue in the state of Alaska. Evaluated candidate Golden Retrievers for temperament, training, behavior issues, plus groomed and made travel arrangements.

Two years as evaluator at Gastineau Humane Society for incoming dogs of all breeds regarding temperament, training, behavior issues, what sort of family would best suit.

Candidates for the Office of Western Director

HELEN DORRANCE
4205 Arthur Circle
Leander, Texas 78641
512-260-7717
dorrance@sbcglobal.net

I started out in my teens with a half collie/half golden retriever mixed breed (“Skippy”). It wasn't until I acquired Goldens in my twenties that I realized the golden retriever half was the part of Skippy I had liked the best. I remember taking Skippy to the Berrien County Kennel Club show in Michigan. That was my first clue that there was a whole world out there available to owners of purebred dogs. At the time I didn't have any idea how to break into the dog show world and never dreamed that less than 10 years later I'd be in a dog show ring in Texas. I also used to set up jumps in the basement by stacking picnic table benches on top of each other and sending Skippy over them. Little did I know that after 22 years of conformation showing I would become totally immersed in agility training and showing. Our first golden was a “stray” given to my husband and me by my sister-in-law. Naturally I bred her (to a registered golden, of course) because after all, golden retrievers are the cutest, most adorable puppies and I had lots of friends who wanted her puppies. At an office Christmas party, when I told a coworker's spouse that I had just had a litter of unregistered Goldens, instead of recoiling in horror she invited me to her house to meet her 6 month old puppy that was sired by the #1 breed golden of 1975. She also introduced me to the GRCA, the GRN, health clearances, dog shows and other golden retriever fanciers. I often think of how my life was changed by someone who took the effort to educate me, kindly, politely and considerately and I try to remember that every time I talk to someone who wants to give a golden puppy as a gift, wants a puppy under the tree on Christmas day, or wants to have “just one litter.”

I think I have held almost every dog club position possible at some point or another in my 30 years of involvement with purebred dogs. Luckily I was only treasurer once—the year the President of Travis County Kennel Club called me up and said she and all the other board members were quitting, did I want to quit too and didn't I think the club should be disbanded? That year I ended up being President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer all at the same time. Fortunately the club was never disbanded because Travis County Kennel Club has been putting on successful back-to-back all-breed shows for over 10 years. I have been Show Chair for numerous clubs numerous times. As a result, I have a great appreciation for volunteers and learned very early on that one doesn't criticize volunteers unless one really wants to take over that volunteer's particular job.

Likewise, I have participated in numerous golden retriever endeavors. I checked runs for golden retriever rescue at the local humane society twice a week for 2 years and currently foster 3 to 4 rescue dogs a year. I have bred 37 champions (including 2 SDHF dogs), some of whom I finished myself, the rest finished by owners or handlers, and I have owned 5 outstanding dams. I have personally trained 3 CDXs, 6 CDs, 2 WCs and 1 JH in the past. In 2003 I trained, showed and titled 3 Goldens at the excellent agility level and two Goldens at the open agility level including a VCX dog whose CD NA OAJ WC and the majority of her conformation points were earned by me.

I can work pretty tirelessly for causes I'm interested in which is just about anything having to do with golden retrievers. I have discovered over the years that as long as I can at least break even or show a profit, clubs are open to all sorts of ideas—especially the money-making ones. Consequently whenever I wanted a seminar on a topic, I did the legwork and put one on. If I thought we needed another show, I was willing to do what it took to have one. Having worked with so many struggling young clubs, I became pretty frugal along the way and am always looking for ways for the clubs to show a profit. After I almost crashed a van full of judges on the way to the show when I heard one of the judges say he had flown to our show first class, I actually had those judges refunding part of their fees to the club by the end of the trip. As it turned out the judge had flown first class at his own expense but that was a scary few moments.

I also will go along with club decisions I don't necessarily agree with and will work just as hard at those tasks. Five years ago my obedience club voted to break off from the all-breed kennel club and do a standalone obedience trial. That decision entailed much more work than had previously been required. Even though I voted against the December trial, as Director of Trials I had to abide by the wishes of the club and have been trial chairman or trial secretary every year since.

I'm probably most interested in health issues of Goldens. I feel like all of my years in dogs are spent wondering why various genetic diseases continually show up, even 5 generations away from a known carrier/producer. I'm especially interested in seeing DNA testing developed. I have always been impressed by how diligent the majority of GRCA members are in screening their dogs for genetic problems and how many truly have the breed's best interests at heart. I think GRCA differs from many other breed clubs in that respect.

I'd like to say I have all sorts of grandiose ideas about what the Board should or should not be doing but frankly I've always thought the GRCA Board has done a pretty good job over the years. For being such a large club I think GRCA accomplishes a lot in an efficient and expeditious manner. Perhaps it's a good thing I don't have any immediate pressing concerns and thus can remain completely open minded to members' wants and needs and act on them accordingly.

This is a good year for me to become more involved in GRCA. After 30 years of being actively involved “in dogs,” I'm taking a break and significantly cutting back on my participation in dog shows, agility trials and local club administration. I should have ample time to concentrate on GRCA Western Regional Director duties.

Current Affiliations (Years of Membership), Current Positions

Golden Retriever Club of America (1975-Present), Member of Members' Education Subcommittee

Austin Golden Retriever Club (1978-Present, Founding Member), Board Member

Travis County Kennel Club (1980-Present, Founding Member), Member

Capitol Dog Training Club (1978-Present), Instructor, Obedience Trial Secretary, Agility Trial Chair

Lone Star American Eskimo Dog Club (1995-Present), Vice President

American Eskimo Dog Club of America (1995-Present), Member

Dog Judges Association of America (2002-Present), Member

American Dog Show Judges (2002-Present), Member

Licensed AKC Judge for Golden Retrievers, American Eskimos and Junior Showmanship

Provisional Judge for Agility, English Cocker Spaniels and Labrador Retrievers

Prior Positions

Golden Retriever Club of America, Ask the Experts columnist for 8 years, AGRC columnist for 15 years, Nominating Chair (1993)

American Eskimo Dog Club of America, Board Member (1998-1999), Newsletter Editor (1997, 1998, 1999), National Specialty Show Chair (1998 and 1999), National Agility Trial Chair (2004)

Lone Star American Eskimo Dog Club Show Chair (1999)

President, Vice President, Secretary, Show Chair, and Newsletter Editor (usually more than once) of the following:

Travis County Kennel Club, also Conformation Instructor (1991-1995);

Austin Golden Retriever Club

Capitol Dog Training Club

Prior Affiliations

Austin K-9 Xpress Agility Club (1998-2004), member, board member, Trial Chair

Mission City Stewards Club (1988-1998), member

Texas Dogs (1994-1996), Sporting Group columnist

Tonkinese Breed Association, member, helped get the breed recognized by CFA

Anderson High School Tennis Booster Club (2000-2002), Secretary

River City Rangers Soccer Team, Team Manager (1998-1999), (hardest volunteer job of all!)

PTA, Membership Co-chair (1996-1998)

Girl Scout Leader (1983)

Personal

Married to a very understanding/supportive husband, Scott Bowman, for 31 years

29 year old daughter (Lotus) and son-in-law (Chad Kiffe), 19 year old son (Dustin), two grandchildren (Megan, almost 2 years old and Blake, almost 4 years old)

Own and run a small boarding kennel