BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOY DALLY

President
District 1 Rep

ANNE DAVIS

Secretary
District 2 Rep

KELLY WEDDLE

Vice President
District 3 Rep

LOTTA BROWN

District 4 Rep

VACANT

District 5 Rep

KEN LEAMAN

Treasurer

KATHLEEN LEONARD

Member-At-Large

ABOUT THE BOARD

Who’s on the Board?

The Board is comprised of a minimum of 5 active members of the Society and is responsible for the management of the Society. The Board is elected by the membership and serves a term of three years. The Executive Committee, comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary and if so designated by the Board, the Treasurer are elected yearly from the Board, by the Board Members.

How is the Board Divided Geographically?

The VBSS is divided into five districts. District 1 includes the west coast states, District 2 includes the midwest, District 3 includes the lake region states, District 4 represents the northeast and District 5 represents the southeast. 

The members of the Board of Directors are elected from each of the 5 Districts, and one Board member serves at large. The Board may move one or more states to contiguous districts from time to time to equalize the numbers of registrations in each district. In the event that no members from a district express interest in filling a Board position, a candidate at large may fill the position.

Election Years

In the best interest of the VBSS the board will stagger elections for board members terms beginning in 2022.

  • Year 1: Districts 2 and 4

  • Year 2: Districts 1 and 3

  • Year 3: At Large Board Member

How to Get on the Board?

Prior to declaring their candidacy, a member of the Society must have registered sheep in the calendar year of their candidacy, must be current on their dues and have no disciplinary findings against them. Interested members shall submit a letter or email of nomination to the Society by August 1 of an election year. The Secretary shall ascertain the qualification of the candidate prior to placing their name on the ballot. Directors must continue to breed and register sheep in each calendar year while serving on the Board.

MEET THE BOARD

  • Joy Dally

    PRESIDENT & DISTRICT 1 REP

    I'm Joy Dally of Shepherds Lane of Oregon. I presently serve as President of the VBSS. My husband Martin and I have been raising rare and heritage breeds of sheep for decades and operate a company that imports ovine genetics from around the world and provides AI services and flock consulting called Super Sire. Our love of sheep and our placement in the industry led us to the Valais Blacknose back in 2014 so we put our experience to work in bringing these genetics to our shores and getting a collective breeding program in place. Mentoring is a big part of our lives, and we are always excited to see the growth of new flocks across the country, bringing us closer to our goal of a sustainable breeding population!

  • Kelly Weddle

    VICE PRESIDENT & DISTRICT 3 REP

    Kelly Weddle serves as Vice President and District 3 Representative on the VBSS Board. She and her husband, Rich, run Valais at Plumpy’s Peaceful Pastures in Bloomington, Indiana. Though new to farming when they started in 2021, Kelly quickly became deeply involved in the Valais Blacknose community. Her experience includes visiting top breeders in the UK, training with certified graders in Sweden and Switzerland, and building a thriving flock of both purebred and crossbred sheep. With a professional background as a Registered Nurse and health care manager, Kelly brings organization, care, and community focus to her board role.

  • Anne Davis

    SECRETARY & DISTRICT 2 REP

    Anne Davis serves as Secretary on the VBSS Board and co-owns Davis Family Livestock in Platteville, Colorado. With a B.S. in Crop Science, an M.S. in Plant Pathology, and over 17 years of experience in agricultural research and consulting, Anne brings both scientific knowledge and hands-on farm experience to her role. She and her husband, Rob, founded their family farm to carry on a multigenerational agricultural legacy and raise their children in a working farm environment. Anne is passionate about making VBSS a trusted resource for breeders and is especially focused on education and community outreach.

  • Lotta Brown

    Lotta Brown

    DISTRICT 4 REP

    Lotta Brown owns Valais at Gratitude Acres in Spring City, Pennsylvania, where she raises Valais Blacknose sheep and breeds Italian Sila Shepherds. Originally from Sweden, Lotta’s passion for animals began with 4H and has followed her through alpacas, dogs, and now sheep. A retired Registered Nurse, she brings care, practicality, and humor to shepherding. Lotta is a strong advocate for building local community and hopes to help launch regional clubs where breeders can meet face-to-face, support one another, and have fun.

  • Ken Leaman

    TREASURER

    Ken Leaman is the Treasurer of VBSS and owner of Wild Rose Farm on Whidbey Island, Washington. He has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 40 years and runs Penn Cove Vet Clinic alongside the farm he’s built with his family. Ken brings a wealth of animal health knowledge and firsthand livestock experience to his role on the board.

  • Kathleen Leonard

    Kathleen Leonard

    MEMBER-AT-LARGE

    Kathleen Leonard is a Member-at-Large on the VBSS Board and the owner of Spirited Breeze Care Farm in Elverson, Pennsylvania. With a background in healthcare and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Kathleen blends her passion for animal therapy and livestock breeding. She raises and shows Valais Blacknose sheep as part of a therapy-focused farming model and has pursued hands-on training in Sweden and Switzerland. Kathleen is especially committed to youth education and outreach within the Valais community and brings fresh energy and thoughtful leadership to the board.