Sporting breeds have been a large part of my life beginning with German Shorthaired Pointers and Brittanys. However, for the last 18 years I have enjoyed handling and breeding the Clumber Spaniel under the registered kennel prefix SunMagic. I have participated and earned titles in a variety of AKC venues of competition including conformation, tracking, hunt test training, barn hunt, and obedience. Dogs that I have owned and bred have earned honorable wins at many prestigious shows, such as the Clumber Spaniel Club of America National Specialty, Westminster Kennel Club, American Spaniel Club, Royal Canin, as well as multiple all-breed Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show wins.

As a retired healthcare executive, I have the time to pursue my passion as an AKC licensed conformation judge. Presently I am licensed to judge approximately two-thirds of the sporting group breeds. I believe it is through this study and responsibility of judging breeding stock that one begins to understand the intended purpose of the breed and how to appropriately apply the standard to the exhibits.

My contribution to the AKC Community has encompassed many roles. I have served as an officer in both the Clumber Spaniel Club of American and the Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation. I have also represented the CSCA as the Judges Education coordinator. In 2020 I founded the local specialty club, Clumber Spaniel Club of the Carolinas, which holds its annual specialty with the DKC fall conformation show, and I have enjoyed broadening my involvement with DKC and the Owner-Handler Association of America.

It has been a pleasure being a part of the Durham Kennel Club community for the last 9 years and participating in the many activities. I have enjoyed my past and current DKC roles as tracking secretary and track layer, Co-chair of the fall & spring conformation show, judge for several matches, a member of the finance committee, and a participant in multiple class offerings.