New Leadership at AKC

by Dr. Bob G. Smith

Alan Kalter, AKC?Chairman

The new Chairman of the American Kennel Board of Directors, Alan Kalter of Ann Arbor, Michigan brings a unique combination of experience in the world of purebred dogs, business, and marketing to the AKC Board. As an active breeder/exhibitor of Bullmastiffs for over 20 years, he has produced more than 150 champions including BIS, BISS, and five generations of group winners under the HappyLegs registered prefix.

HappyLegs began as the combination of two successful kennels of the 1980s, Bandog and Jubilee. Alan and the other half of HappyLegs, Chris Lezotte, are now in their eighth generation of line-bred HappyLegs dogs. HappyLegs had its first litter in 1986 and they finished their first home-bred champion in 1989.  They have since bred or owned approximately 100 champions which include BISS and All Breed Best in Show winners. They have had numerous Top 10 Bullmastiffs and numerous top producers. Chris served in the American Bullmastiff Association as Secretary and as Bulletin Editor and is a member of the Ann Arbor Kennel Club. Alan has served on the executive committee of the Morris Animal Foundation, the Detroit Zoo, and is a member of the Detroit Kennel Club.

As an approved judge as well as former president and show chair of a local club, I can attest to how helpful his experience will be in supporting all aspects of purebred dog activities.

The new AKC Chairman serves as President and Delegate for the American Bullmastiff Association and was the Vice President and Treasurer of the Detroit Kennel Club, where he was responsible for the marketing of two benched shows that attract tens of thousands of purebred dog lovers each year. Alan was also one of the original Board members of the AKC PAC and on the three-person committee responsible for evaluating recipients of legislative donations. Professionally, Alan was the CEO and owner of a multi-national, multi-billion dollar advertising agency employing 1000 people throughout 11 offices in three countries. As the head of Doner, Mr. Kalter has contributed pro bono marketing to the AKC, originating the “We’re more than champion dogs. We’re the dog’s champion.” tagline. He has also developed communications campaigns for the Morris Animal Foundation, including the Canine Cancer Campaign.

Dr. Robert D. Smith, AKC Vice-Chairman

Dr. Robert D. Smith of St. Stephens Church, Virginia has been involved in the sport for more than 50 years, primarily as a breeder /owner/handler of American Foxhounds. Elected to the AKC Board for the first time in 1997, he served for five years, proposing the creation of a Registered Handlers Program and the Breeders Education Program. Both initiatives were adopted and ran successfully. Dr. Smith ably chaired the new Judges’ Approval Process implemented March 1, 2012.

He served as Huntington Kennel Club’s Delegate from 1996 until 2002 and has held every office and most committee positions in kennel clubs in several states. Currently, he serves as the Delegate from the Memphis Kennel Club.

Approved by AKC to judge two breeds in 1966, Dr. Smith became an All-Breed judge in 1996. Still active today, he has judged in 49 states and many foreign countries, and presided over Best in Show at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December 2008.

Professionally, Dr. Smith ran highly successful small business programs for the states of Mississippi and Virginia, retiring in 1996. Dr. Smith is married to Polly, also an AKC All-Breed judge.

Time will determine the effectiveness of the new leadership.  In my opinion, however, having men with such leadership experience as well as experience at all levels of dogs will provide the member clubs and clients of AKC with a tremendous depth of knowledge, experience, and loyalty to the purebred dog.

New AKC Board members elected in March include:

Patricia M. Cruz of Coram, New York who has been part of the dog world for more than 40 years and currently serves as delegate for the Heart of the Plains Kennel Club.  She is a former AKC Field Representative, a member of the Afghan Hound Club of America, Long Island Kennel Club, Morris and Essex Kennel Club, an officer of the Ladies Kennel Association of America, Riverhead Kennel Club, and Afghan Hound Club of L.I. She is also an internationally-experienced judge for over 40 years as well as one of the founders of the Owner Handler Association.  Professionally, Mrs. Cruz is a journalist and Board member of Dog Writers Association of America.  She is the former president of a civilian employee union in one of the largest police departments on the east coast and secretary of a county-wide union representing over 10,000 employees. She also served as sales manager and marketing consultant for radio stations in the number one market in U.S.

William J. Feeney, of Cotati, California got his start in the dog world 33 years ago in Golden Retrievers. Bill and his wife, Sylvia, breed Goldens under the Birnam Wood prefix. He served the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) from 1988-1997, initially as Chairman of the Bylaws Committee and later as a director and officer. In 1994, he was elected GRCA President and served in that capacity for two years. He is currently the Sir Francis Drake Kennel Club’s Delegate to the AKC.  Since 1997, Bill has devoted time to working for canine health as Vice President of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. In addition to his regular work as a lawyer, Bill has also judged several specialty sweepstakes and futurities.

Thomas S. Powers of Northridge, California is a second generation dog fancier. He has participated in the sport as a breeder, club president, show chair and delegate. He has also served on the AKC Board’s Constitution and Bylaws Committee and currently sits on the Southwest Trial Board as Chairman. Thomas breeds and exhibits Irish Wolfhounds with his wife and has also exhibited and finished a number of Dachshunds, Beagles, Mastiffs and Harriers including the number one Harrier in 1990, Ch. Powerscourt Patience DeAmo. Professionally, Mr. Powers has practiced law in California for 35 years, with clients including major Fortune 500 companies. He has also owned and operated a chain of dry cleaners, a chain of retail pet supply stores and a veterinary hospital.

(This author extends appreciation to Lisa Peterson, AKC’s Director of Communications, for her assistance is providing data for this article.)

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Posted by admin on May 14 2012. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.