CANDIDATES’ RESUMES, 2008
Candidates for President
Dianne Barnes
P. O. Box 932
Bonner, MT 59823
406-244-5445
windsong@blackfoot.net
In 1977 I purchased my first Golden Retriever. As is the case with so many newcomers to our breed, I had no knowledge of genetic problems, what to look for in a puppy, or what to expect from a breeder. Unfortunately, my first Golden developed many health problems, but she had a wonderful temperament that cemented my involvement with the breed. That same year I joined the Golden Retriever Club of San Diego County, the Golden Retriever Club of America and the San Diego Obedience Club. As a result of my initial experience, I became actively involved in the effort to educate people newly interested in our breed. I served the GRCSDC as Secretary, Board member, and actively participated in fund raisers and other club events.
In 1983 I moved to the Missoula, Montana area where I joined the Five Valley Kennel Club and the Western Montana Retriever Club. For the past 23 years I have organized annual eye, heart and microchip clinics, served as co- chairman for the AKC all breed show and chaired the fun matches. In 2006 I was Show Chairman for our three day circuit, which had entries of over 2100 dogs each day. I am also a member (albeit long distance) of the Inland Empire Golden Retriever Club.
Through the years I have titled my dogs with CHs, CDs, CDXs, REs, WCs and a JH. I have been active in therapy work, and have had two dogs certified as Pet Partners with the Delta Society. My hopes for the future include a UD and a try at tracking. I believe very strongly in maintaining the soundness and temperament in our breed. The increasing population of the Golden Retriever is a problem every breeder should seriously address in his or her heart, and an issue in which I think public education will serve well. In addition I strongly uphold and practice the Code of Ethics as published by the Golden Retriever Club of America.
I attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a major in Child Psychology. I later transferred to San Diego State University, changing my major to zoology. The travel industry captured my heart, and that is where I have spent my professional life.
On January 01, 2002 I retired from Delta Air Lines after being with the company for 29 years; thirty-five years in the industry. I live on 33 acres in the mountains outside of Missoula, an area I consider paradise...at least for 9 months of the year!
GRCA Experience:
1987-1993 - New Member Chairman
1993-1995 - Western Regional Puppy Referral Representative
1996-1998 - Public Education Committee Chairman
1998-2003 - GRCA Secretary
2003-2004 - GRCA President
2007-2008 – GRCA President
It is my belief that GRCA sets the standard for all breed clubs in this country. Our dedication to education for the public, breeders and judges, as well as our support of veterinary research makes us the premiere breed Club in the nation. The work done by GRCA, our volunteers, member clubs and individuals in Golden Retriever rescue is the reason I am proud to be a member of this organization. It would be a pleasure to provide my talent, experience and organizational ability by again serving as GRCA President.
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Candidates for Secretary
Janet Peacock
16 Desvio Court
Pacifica , CA 94044-4229
(650) 359-5659
jepgr@aol.com
I am asking to be considered for the position of Secretary on the GRCA Board. I believe I am qualified and have the necessary skills to due this job competently.
At the present time I am a member of Norcal GRC and San Francisco Dog Training Club., Inc and the Golden Retriever Club of America. I have been a member of Norcal GRC for 24 years, San Francisco Dog Training Club, Inc. for 27 years and the Golden Retriever Club of America for 24 years.
As a member of Norcal GRC, I have at various times held the positions of Secretary and Treasurer.
I am currently the President of San Francisco Dog Training Club, Inc. and in the past have held every position of the Board except Treasurer.
I have put a CD on all of my Goldens (except my rescue Golden), a CDX on two of my dogs, a CGC on all of the dogs after it was introduced by the AKC, an RN on my youngest dog and he is also pointed.
As a child we had a mixed breed Lab and later a Miniature Pinscher. My first dog as an adult was a Saint Bernard. I purchased my first Golden Retriever 32 years ago and have had them every since. I presently have an 18 year old, a 12 ¾ year old and a 5 ½ year old.
I was born and raised in San Francisco and presently reside 15 miles south of San Francisco in Pacifica. I work full time as an Accounts Payable manager.
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Candidates for Eastern Vice President
Ann Strathern
9802 Gas House Pike
Frederick , MD 21701
301-662-3876
happydaugh@juno.com
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 with 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. I have served for the last 2 years on the Board of Directors, GRCA, Eastern Region and am the chairperson of the Field Education Committee. The FEC is committed to keeping the “Retriever” in the Golden Retriever and educating not only our members, but all Golden owners about the joys of working a Golden in the field.
I have been employed as a veterinary assistant for 23 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.
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Candidates for Western Vice President
HELEN DORRANCE
4205 Arthur Circle
Leander, Texas 78641
512-656-2921
dorrance@sbcglobal.net
After one year of serving as a Director of the Western Region I feel like I’ve barely gotten my feet wet. It took a couple of months to get up to speed and now I feel like there are several projects I can help with. I have really enjoyed my first term and would like the opportunity to serve another term. I am continually amazed at how cohesive and productive the GRCA board is. It has been an honor to be on a board of officers and directors who are very talented, have good ideas and are respectful of everyone else’s opinion. I would like to stay on the board and continue to serve GRCA for a second term.
Current Affiliations (Years of Membership), Current Positions
Golden Retriever Club of America (1975-Present), Western Director (2006-Present) Members Education Committee (2006-Present)
Austin Golden Retriever Club (1978-Present), Founding Member, Agility Trial Chairman
Travis County Kennel Club (1980-Present), Founding Member
Capitol Dog Training Club (1978-Present), Instructor, Obedience Trial Secretary
Lone Star American Eskimo Dog Club (1995-Present), Vice President, Agility Trial Chairman
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, Newsletter Editor (usually more than once and sometimes simultaneously) of the following:
Travis County Kennel Club, also Conformation Instructor (1991-1995);
Austin Golden Retriever Club
Capitol Dog Training Club
Prior Affiliations
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 Manager (1998-1999), (hardest volunteer job of all!)
PTA Membership Co-chair (1996-1998)
Girl Scout Leader (1983)
Dog Experience
Currently training and showing an open agility golden
Owned, trained and titled 4 goldens at the Agility Excellent level, 3 at the open level
Am the breeder or co-breeder of at least 40 champions, 5 outstanding dams, and numerous performance titled dogs
Breeder-Owner-Handler-Trainer of a VCX dog
Personally trained 3 CDX dogs, 2 WCs, 1 JH, and a few CDs and CGCs
Personal
Married to a very understanding/supportive husband, Scott Bowman, for 32 years
31 year old daughter (Lotus) and son-in-law (Chad Kiffe), 21 year old son (Dustin), two grandchildren (Megan, 3 years old and Blake, 5 years old)
Own and run a boarding kennel
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Candidates for Eastern Director
Megan Baker
1201 Gun Club Road
York Springs , PA 17372
(717)318-3460
megan@weebegoldens.com
I have had dogs my whole life and have competed since 1985. I started with a Dalmatian and was active in Obedience, Agility and Tracking. Most of the people I trained with back then had retrievers. I would ask for help with tracking and as we waited for the track to age I would be asked to throw bumpers or birds. Well my 2 hours tracking training would turn into 8 hours of field training for the retrievers and 10 minutes of running the track with the Dalmatian. I decided to get my 1 st golden in 1991. I was able to find a breeder a Missouri and was able to purchase a puppy. This dog turned into Hillside Simon Sez Callacab, CD, JH, WC – Taxi. I was hooked on Goldens and Field work. I loved being outside and enjoyed watching the dogs do what they were breed to do.
I am currently a member of the following clubs GRCA, PVGRC, OTCH, KRC, YCDTC. I have been on or are correctly serving on the following: board, secretary of events, chair of events, committees, fundraising, teaching, membership, seminars as well as supporting events of all kinds. I was the Chair of the 2005 National Field Trial as well as one the committee members for the National Hunt Test.
I am a AKC Hunt Judge and actively run in all AKC venues. Over the years I have had dogs with Titles on both ends of their names, CH/MH/MX/MXJ/CDX/RAE/CCA/WCX/** just to name a few. I am a firm believer that I adjust my activities for the dogs. An example of this is my 12 year old that still competes in Rally as his body can’t take the ruff life style of a trial/agility dog any more but he still wanted a job.
I was lucky enough to meet my husband through our love for Goldens. The dogs were in our wedding as well as on our honeymoon in North Dakota hunting. Tom and I know the ups and downs of the breed as we both have lost a Golden at a young age due to Cancer. I have a lot of respect for good breeders as it isn’t easy. I also believe that you have to look at the big picture.
I was born in MO and lived most of my life in Kansas City. Now I am living in PA on 12 acres. The house was built with the dogs in mind. All of our dogs are house dogs and yes we have intact males and females together. I currently work for Keen Transport in Pennsylvania as the IS Manger and have been working there for over 12 years. Computers have been a part of my back ground for the past 20 years.
Current Goldens:
WR Sungold’s Cool Runnings, CDX, RE, MH, AX, AXJ,OAP, OJP, WCX
Raggedy Raging Typhoon, CD, RE, MH, WCX
Weebe OneTooMany, CDX, RAE, MH, MX, MXJ, NA, WCX
Topbrass Weebe A Little Rascal, RN, MH, NA, NAJ, WCX, **
TealOak’s Weebe A Pistol, SH, WCX
Ctrl Alt Del, RA, SH, WCX
I think it would be a privilege to help GRCA in any way possible.
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Candidates for Central Director
DANA OAKS
221 Howard St.,
East Peoria, IL . 60612 3
09-699-1595
goldensrgreat@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
Presently working towards "Bachelor Degree in Management" at the University of Illinois at Springfield, IL.
EMPLOYMENT
Executive Director, Greater Peoria Contractors and Suppliers Assoc. - 2007 to Present
Branch Manager of Allied Construction - 2000 to 2007
Chief Estimator/Project Manager - 1994 to 2000
Chief Estimator Prairie Construction - 1984 to 1994
Union Heavy Equipment Operator - 1974 to 1984
I currently serve on several Industry Boards.
Since 1996, I have chaired and served on the Contract Negotiating Committees for several Building Trades.
CLUB EXPERIENCE
Board Member GRCA 2006 to Present
Member of GRCA - 1987 to Present
President of Town and Country Kennel Club ( Bloomington, IL) - 2005 to 2007
Member of Town and Country Kennel Club 2003 to Present
President of Peoria Obedience Training Club ( Peoria, IL) - 2000 – 2002
Board Member of Peoria Obedience Training Club ( Peoria, IL) – 1999
Member Peoria Obedience Training Club 1997-2003
Vice President of Illinois River Hunting Retriever Club 2005- Present
Chairman of the Illinois River HRC Hunt Test - 2006
Hunt Test Committee Member - 2004 to Present
Obedience Trials Ring Steward - 1999 to Present
Obedience/Rally Class Instructor - 1999 to Present
My dogs participate in Breed, Obedience, and Rally & Hunt Tests.
PERSONAL
I have been married to my lovely wife, Diana for 24 years. We currently share our home with four Golden Retrievers. 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 the GRCA WC, WCX, and VC Certificates. I am, however, most proud of the fact that he is my personal companion "hunting dog." During the quest for his AKC Breed Championship, it was not uncommon for him to hunt and retrieve pheasant, ducks and geese in the same week he was shown in the Breed ring. Diana and I have become experts in removing burrs from a Golden's coat. My other hobbies include photography and reading.
REASON FOR APPLICATION
Being on the board of the GRCA this past term has been both rewarding and challenging, and at times frustrating as all boards can be. I have learned so much from my fellow board members and club members this past year and a half that participating as a member has been well worth the price of admission as they say. There is still a lot that I feel that needs to be accomplished to set the GRCA up to move forward in the future, which I hope to be part of. I am very proud of my association with many of the GRCA committees that work extremely hard for the betterment of the breed. One of my jobs has been being a board liaison of the FEC committee. This committee is working tirelessly to make sure the retriever stays in the Golden. Some of these are The Double your Pleasure pictorial that showcases breed Champions that also can get it done in the field, the field themed issue of the GR News that will be published in Nov/ Dec, the articles that have been put on the GRCA website and also published in the GR News, and these are just the tip of the iceberg. The FEC has the vision that everyone should be able to participate in the field arena, to experience the joy that goes with watching our dogs perform what was the original purpose of our breed. Through this, the FEC has high hopes is to bring the breed closer together, and to show the world that the Golden Retriever is truly a hunting breed that is not to be overlooked. I hope to be able to continue with them in this fantastic journey.
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Candidates for Western Director
Richard A. Caldwell
14644 Collin County Rd. 746
Lavon, TX 75166
Caldwel2@airmail.net
I suppose I am a late bloomer in comparison to most - or all - of the GRCA Board. I became involved with dogs only as an adult. The first purebred dog I obtained was in 1991. The first golden retriever was in 1993, when I was 52. My first wife and I had enjoyed our mixed-breeds and our back-yard-bred Labrador, and in 1994 we decided that breeding and showing golden retrievers (under the kennel name Glengowan) would be our activity in retirement. We began showing our dogs in conformation and I began training in field in the late nineties. My first wife died in 2004, by which time we had bred one champion and I had trained one dog to a JH and WC.
Since then, three more Glengowan dogs have finished, others are getting close, and several have performance titles, including one who is about halfway to his MACH. I have just recently remarried, to another golden breeder (Patti Branch Caldwell, Schoolhouse Goldens), whom I met at the Gettysburg National Specialty in 2005. We have joined forces in the sport but retain our separate kennel names.
I was educated at MIT, UC-Berkeley, and Caltech, taught at Cornell at the start of my academic career, and spent the bulk of my faculty life at The University of Texas at Dallas. During my time at UT-Dallas, I served five years as Department Head, one year as Associate Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and subsequently two terms (1980-84 and 1997-2003) as Dean of that School. I obtained several million dollars in research grants and published almost 100 scientific papers as a Professor. I retired as a Professor in 2005 and was awarded Emeritus status in 2006.
I have served the GRCA on its Nominating Committee (2006). I have been a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Golden Retriever Club since 1993, serving it as an at-large Board member, Field Committee chair, Hunt Test chair (twice), and Nominating Committee chair (twice). I am Publicity chair for its 2008 Specialty. When my academic career took me to the Washington, DC area in 1995-97, as a Program Officer at the National Science Foundation and as a Guest Researcher at the National Cancer Institute, I joined the Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club, and I am still a member (in exile).
I believe I am well qualified for GRCA Western Regional Director. While my University experience does not translate directly into the dog fancy, it provides great indirect assets. The attributes for success in almost any venue are similar. Mine include analytic skills, leadership experience, a lifetime of "seeing the big picture," habitual attention to detail, and successful personnel management. Professors are by their nature communicators and I am no exception. Being a dean with about 100 faculty and 200 classified personnel reporting to/through me, I could not have done the job successfully without these skills - and I was successful enough to be asked to do it twice, a rarity.
Serving as a Dean is often compared to herding cats: one can lead, but it takes all one's wits to get them moving in the same direction. Patience, listening skills, close collaboration with ones' peers (in Universities, faculty members and fellow administrators; in GRCA, the membership and Board), communication, and leading to a consensus work best, and this is a style I will bring to a leadership position in GRCA. Accessibility to the membership is especially important: as much as possible I intend to respond to e-mail correspondence sent to me in the capacity of Director.
A Director should not approach the job with a strong preconceived agenda, as a sense of the group must be obtained early on. As Director, I would consider it important to visit as many Western Region member clubs as possible to hear what they and their individual members think we should be doing. Nonetheless, I think of several directions I would like to see the GRCA move in, and these are discussed in brief below.
One absolutely critical issue is dealing with the Animal Rights movement. The Board has been outspoken in protection of the fancy and of responsible breeders' practices. This must continue, and given AB1634 in California and California's importance in the Western Region, continued GRCA support of the several initiatives counter to AB1634 is imperative. In Texas, I support the Responsible Pet Owners' Alliance and the Endangered Breeds Association.
Breed clubs and all-breed clubs often seem to have few goals and activities in common, but in my opinion they do. The GRCA can encourage its local clubs to develop even more activities in partnership with all breed clubs, I believe to the betterment of the entire fancy.
One such is the development of public relations activities. Meet the Breed days, activity introductions for the public (agility and obedience, for example), and visits to local politicians to explain what is wrong with Animal Rights are possibilities.
One area in which we simply need to continue our excellence is in the events GRCA sponsors or supports. In the last year alone, I have been to two successful Regional Specialties, a wonderful National Specialty as usual, and several member club specialties. I am in awe of the organizational talent embedded in our membership.
I would find helping the Board define goals and working with our membership in attaining them a thoroughly satisfying experience. My life has provided the relevant expertise, and my retirement the time, to make such a contribution.
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