Thank you for nominating me for the Board of Directors. I have been breeding VBS for over six years. My husband, Michael, and I began our program with AI and breeding up. When embryo transfer became available, we purchased two. Given our 100% success rate, we continued to expand our flock.

We were both successful business owners. Michael owned a material handling business, while I had a long career in the beauty industry. Over the course of my 40-year career, I owned several day spas and served as an account executive for luxury brands such as Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent, and Revlon. I was subsequently recruited by Estée Lauder to become the director of their day spas.

My expertise in these roles encompassed marketing, public relations, and profitability.

We currently own an 80-acre farm where we have raised llamas, alpacas, goats, horses, and our renowned Valais sheep. Our agritourism business on the farm has been highly successful, providing us with the opportunity to expose our sheep to various children’s groups, colleges, schools, and senior centers. We have even taken them to church for events.  We were part of the BLACK LION VODKA company’s marketing campaign traveling with our two rams, across numerous cities as they launched their product in the UNITED STATES. 

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of a Pregnancy Resource Center in Naples, Florida, as chairperson for our church’s rotating emergency shelter team for the homeless, and on numerous other committees dedicated to assisting others.

My unwavering commitment to the thriving of this breed is evident in my desire to enhance my knowledge by traveling to Switzerland to attend MISS VISP. This event provided me with the opportunity to network and learn from other breeders. Additionally, I have traveled to Sweden to collaborate with Marita Tauni,  DVM, to learn how to judge and grade the sheep. 

Breeders from New Zealand, England, and Ireland have visited our farm to mentor my husband and me in areas where we can improve our program. They have also expressed their appreciation for our accomplishments. 

In essence, my aspiration to join the Board of Directors is rooted in a profound desire to safeguard the breed’s legacy. I am eager to provide members with unwavering support at every level, enhance the quality of communication between them and the Board, and streamline the registration process for all stakeholders.

I eagerly anticipate addressing any inquiries and am committed to serving in a meaningful capacity in the future.

I am a retired physician (Interventional Radiologist), and have owned Laurel Highland Farm in Pennsylvania for the last 30 years. During most of that time, our family raised livestock — primarily Fell Ponies, as well as Friesians, goats, and Angus beef cattle. I founded and for 15 years helped operate a nonprofit Fell Pony breed association (501(c)(3)), and have served on the UK Fell Pony Society Judging Panel for over 15 years, judging internationally.

I discovered Valais Blacknose sheep in 2014 and acquired foundation ewe lambs the following spring in hopes of launching a breed-up program. In 2017, we were among the first to import semen into the U.S., and our first F1 lambs were born here in 2018. That same year, in collaboration with Westmorland (UK) (whom I met via my longtime Fell Pony connections in their native Cumbria), we acquired purebred rams and ewes overseas for semen and embryo import. We registered our first purebred lambs overseas in 2018, and our UK flock grew through lambing and imports while we waited for restrictions to lift. Our first U.S.-born purebred lamb (via NZ embryo) earned Maximum Points (5/5/5) at the first National Show—my first time ever showing a sheep! In 2024 and 2025, we welcomed additional purebred lambs in the U.S. via embryo transfers from our UK flock.  Our current stud ram here at home came from one of those embryos – out of the first ewe and ram we purchased overseas 7 years ago now… (Good things come to those who wait!)  This is all great big hobby to me, but it os one I obviously take very seriously!

I have also been actively involved in the formation of the Valais Blacknose Graders & Judges Guild (USA), and was recently elected as Chairman of the Review Committee that is overseeing its formation.  My relevant overseas experience and training includes Widdermarkt (2018), Miss Visp (2019), the Swedish training course (2024), and Swiss training course + Widdermarkt (2025). As with my Fell Pony judging background, training to grade and judge Valais Blacknose Sheep has deepened my understanding of the breed standard, which can only improve my skills as a breeder, and futher contribute to my expertise as a VBSS Director.  

Last but certainly not least,  I was also one of four co-founders of VBSS in 2018, and served on the original BOD.  To be honest, at that time I had just retired from managing the Fell Pony association for 15 years, and was really hoping for a little break! lol  Nonetheless, I wanted VBSS to get off to a good start, so I agreed to serve at least for the first year, hopefully until the first election.  I stepped down after close to a year due to some health issues (including badly broken leg), knowing there were other members volunteering to fill in.  I continued to help with what I could for several years, including as Admin on social media.  Since that time, I became increasingly frustrated by the overall management of VBSS, which in my opinion has not always faithfully adhered to our existing rules and Oregon’s nonprofit statutes – both of which have clear provisions to protect the rights of members.  VBSS is not a private club – it is a registered nonprofit association of breeders/owners, which has Bylaws for a reason!   As the Bylaws clearly state, the BOD’s “powers and authority is limited by and subject to the will of the members voting…” [not the other way around!]  As many members are already aware, I have been an outspoken critic -- especially when I perceive that members are being treated unfairly and contrary to the rules.  To (hopefully) help mitigate or prevent problems in the future, I was recently asked by VBSS’ newly formed Compliance and Oversight Committee (COC) to spearhead a much-needed thorough review and update of our existing Bylaws and Rules of Registry. However, any and all changes– including any prior changes which were never appropriately ratified by the voting members, must then be presented for membership vote and approval, as required by our existing Bylaws and Oregon statutes.   As with the Guild, I believe it is imperative that VBSS has crystal clear rules to further protect the rights of members, support long-term success and help prevent any unnecessary conflicts in the future.  (Then hopefully we can all get back to just enjoying our sheep, right…?!)