Organizational Chart
Organizational Chart
PRESIDENT / CEO
The President / CEO directs all company functions with the objective of fulfilling the AKC mission statement as adopted by the Board of Directors. This position has the ultimate responsibility for carrying out the policies of the Board of Directors and communicating the AKC mission and goals to staff, the purebred dog fancy, and the public at large. President / CEO Dennis B. Sprung began his involvement in the world of AKC as an exhibitor in 1969. Over the years he participated in many aspects of the sport: judge, Delegate, and president of the Bronx County Kennel Club, a position he held for 10 years. Sprung joined AKC as an Executive Field Representative 21 years ago. He shortly thereafter was promoted to Director of Field Staff and eventually was appointed VP of Dog Events. In 1997, Sprung was named VP of Planning and Development, which included the responsibility of relocating the AKC headquarters in New York City. In 2001, he became the VP of Corporate Relations and created DOGNY, a fundraising and public art project that increased nationwide awareness of AKCs commitment to Search and
Dennis B. Sprung
Rescue dogs, which raised over $3.5 million. Sprung was elected Senior VP / COO in April 2003 and began his role as President / CEO in January of 2004. Reporting directly to the President are the COO, Executive Secretary, CFO, General Counsel and AVP of Business Development.
Customer Service, Conformation, Performance, Companion events, Dog Show Judges, and the newly created Canine Partners Department. Lyons is also responsible for the major administrative support of Information Systems as well as the Internal Consulting Group and Government Relations. In addition, Lyons is Vice Chairman of the AKC Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) Board with the AKC CAR CEO reporting directly to him.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
James P. Crowley has held various positions within the organization during his 40-year tenure. As Executive Secretary, his primary function is to document meetings and policies and to maintain the official historical records. Crowley maintains a wide range of oversight responsibilities: production of Board of Director and Delegate meeting minutes; relations with foreign registries; the Club Relations department, which includes all AKC member, licensed, and sanctioned club files; various award programs; archives; the art collection and the library, which is open to fanciers and James P. Crowley the public, and the maintenance of the AKCs New York headquarters facility. Crowley has also served for the past 13 years on the Board of the AKC Museum of the Dog as well as its Recording Secretary. Reporting to Crowley are AVP/Assistant Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo, Director of Club Relations Michael Liosis, and AKC Archivist, Craig Savino. The Club Relations Department headed by Director Michael Liosis, a 40-year AKC veteran, maintains files on more than 5,000 members, licensed, and sanctioned clubs, as well as hundreds of other clubs seeking permanent AKC affiliation. Club Relations manages the accreditation of clubs and assists them with bylaw revisions and internal disputes. Craig Savino became the AKC Archivist in February, 2011. He has a Masters Degree in Archives and Public History from New York University and his charge is to preserve documents that chronicle the dedication of AKC and its member clubs to the sport of purebred dogs and to thus provide a permanent educational and informational resource for present research and for posterity. AVP / Assistant Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo is a 14year employee and lifetime fancier. DiNardo has been involved in the sport for over 30 years as an owner, breeder and exhibitor. She is a member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, Connecticut River Working Group Association, Greenwich Kennel Club, Tuxedo
Gina DiNardo
Park Kennel Club and the Morris and Essex Kennel Club. She assists Crowley with maintaining all AKC policies and historical records and manages communication to and from his department. She is a company spokesperson, serves on the AKC / Eukanuba National Championship Show Planning Committee and is responsible for the AKC Meet the Breeds exhibitions. Reporting to DiNardo are Director of Conference and Travel, Paula Spector, Director of Project Administration Ronald Rella, Director of AKC Event Management Michael Canalizo, and Consulting Publisher John Woods. Conference and Travel Director Paula Spector has been with the organization for 40 years. Her department handles arrangements for meetings, conferences and annual events, as well as travel, hotel accommodations and catering connected with the quarterly Delegate meetings. Director of Project Administration Ronald N. Rella is a 17-year employee. He oversees production of the Annual Report and coordinates various award programs. The AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) recognize exemplary canines that significantly benefit a community or individual. The AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards honor individuals in our sport who have contributed meaningfully over an extended period on a national level. The Breeder of the Year Awards celebrate breeders who fulfill AKCs ideal of preserving and improving the form, function, health, and distinctive type and character of purebred dogs, through enduring dedication to a specific breed and the sport. The AKC Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislative efforts of affiliated clubs, recognized federations, and their members. Rella also produces the Breeders Newsletter and oversees the Breeders seminars held in conjunction with the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Rella has more than 50 years in the sport of purebred dogs as an exhibitor, breeder and multi-group judge. He served as show chairman for the Union County Kennel Club for several years. Michael Canalizo served as an Executive Field Representative before becoming Director of Event Management. In supervising three Championship events (AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, AKC National Agility Championship and AKC National Obedience Invitational), he is responsible for contractual agreements, managing budgets and deadlines, working closely and coordinating with superintendents, sponsors, vendors, clubs, and AKC staff. He also is the AKCs contact with all of the foreign kennel clubs participating in the World Challenge competition held with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Before joining the staff, Canalizo judged all Hounds, all Toys and 16 other breeds, BIS & Junior Showmanship. Prior to that he was a long-time owner-handler-breeder, finishing over 100 Afghan Hound Champions which included a number one Dog of All Breeds and over 300 Best in Show wins. He has held many positions in Dog Clubs and was the first Show Chairman for the Empire Combined Specialties. Consulting Publisher John Woods and his staff are responsible for the content, overall tone and look of all three magazines - the AKC Gazette, AKC Family Dog, and
the New Puppy Handbook - as well as circulation, subscription, marketing and advertising sales. The 121 year-old monthly AKC Gazette, continuously published since 1889, remains the most comprehensive resource of information for the purebred dog fancy. Publications launched AKC Family Dog in 2003. The magazine, aimed at the new purebred and mixed breed dog owner, promotes responsible dog ownership and awareness of AKC and our sport among pet owners. AKC currently has seven books available: The Complete Dog Book, The Complete Dog Book for Kids, A Breed Apart, AKC Dog Care and Training, DOGNY, and our newest publications - Citizen Canine and Dogs: The First 125 Years of the American Kennel Club.
financial reporting, budgeting, cash management and investments, accounts payable and receivables, payroll, corporate travel and expense reporting, external audits and federal, state and local regulatory compliance.
HUMAN RESOURCES
AVP Human Resources Vicki L. Rees joined the AKC in 1998. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources. Her HR career includes 10 years with The Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred horse registry. Rees is responsible for developing policies and directing HR programs and activities. The scope of this
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FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Joe Baffuto joined the company in April 2000 as a Senior Financial Manager. He was promoted to Manager of Budgets & Financial Analysis in 2001, Assistant Controller in 2005 and to his current position as Controller in November 2008. Prior to this, he was Assistant Treasurer at Fordham Prep School. The financial team is comprised of professional financial managers and accountants who are responsible for all financial aspects of AKC and all controlled affiliates financial operations, including
Vicki L. Rees
position includes employment, compensation, benefits, training, and employee relations for more than 300 employees nationwide. In addition, she is responsible for the retirement plan and postretirement benefits for over 500 retirees. Her team ensures that all HR activities and policies comply with applicable federal/state/local laws and she serves as an advisor to the President and Board on HR matters.
more than 4,700. Eligible breeders in every AKC event realm have shown great enthusiasm and support for the program. Breeder of Merit honors core AKC breederexhibitors, recognizing their years of dedication and commitment to their breeding programs and their success in AKC events. Also reporting to Roberts is the Breeder Relations department which was created in 2008 as an additional resource to breeders. The department is comprised of breeder field representatives who support breeders at their kennels and attend meetings and conferences.
with 240,000 entries and 9,980 titles earned. Also reporting to Ljungren is Executive Field Director of Coonhound Events Steve Fielder. Fielder joined AKC in the fall of 2004 after a 25-year career in the field of purebred dogs. Coonhound Events oversees the activities of more than 400 coonhound clubs and 800 approved Hunt Directors and Bench Show Judges nationwide AVP of Companion Events Curt A. Curtis joined the company in March 2005 with extensive management and administrative experience in his former position as Sergeant with the Oregon State Police, and over 45 years experience in Companion Events as an exhibitor, show/trial chairman and judge. He and his inhouse staff plan and budget the development, maintenance and operations for Obedience, Tracking, Agility and Rally. Curtis and his staff organize the National Obedience Invitational and the Curt A. Curtis National Tracking Invitational. Reporting to Curtis is Pamela Manaton, Director of Obedience, Rally and Tracking. Manaton has over 26 years of experience in purebred Dogs, exhibiting her dogs in obedience, rally, agility, herding and conformation, along with her involvement in various dog clubs and related activities. Pam has been working at the AKC over 11 years as the Manager of Companion Events. In 2010, there were 125,223 entries in Obedience events, reflecting growth over 2009, and 80,530 entries in Rally events. Tracking also saw an increase in entries and events and held steady over 2009. Also reporting to Curt Curtis is Carrie DeYoung, Director of Agility. DeYoung has over 20 years experience in the sport of agility and other AKC sports. Her experience includes 11 years working in the AKC Companion Events Department as an Executive Field Representative for the sport of agility. DeYoung currently oversees the National Agility Championship, Agility Invitational and the World Team Tryouts. She also acts as the Team Captain of the AKC/USA Agility World Team that competes yearly in Europe. Agility continues to show growth in both entries and the number of events; in 2010, there were 947,137 entries and 2,461 events.
CANINE PARTNERS
The AKC Canine Partners program was launched in 2010 to allow all dogs, including mixed breeds and dogs otherwise ineligible for AKC Registration, to join in the fun and tradition of the AKC. The program provides access to AKC events and resources to educate all dog owners about responsible dog ownership. A new department was formed to spearhead the program and is headed by Assistant Vice President of Registration Development Mark Dunn who also oversees the Internal Consulting Group. Dunn joined the organization in 2009 as Director of the Internal Consulting Group. He was most recently Director of
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Engineering and Quality for a subsidiary of Eastman Kodak and has over 20 years of experience leading operations and engineering teams tasked with cost reduction, process improvement and business development. A Canine Partners listing allows enrollees to compete in Agility, Obedience and Rally and Mark Dunn offers them a lifetime enrollment in AKC Companion Animal Recovery and a one-year subscription to AKC Family Dog magazine, among other benefits. With over 30,000 dogs enrolled in the program, the department will be looking at ways to expand the reach and relevancy of the AKC to tens of thousands more dog owners.
computer system with a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction. In addition to software responsibilities, Kneifel is also responsible for providing high-availability services while conforming to strict security guidelines. Over the last 24 months the AKC Website has maintained a 99.9% availability Tracey Tessier rate. Reporting to Kneifel are AVP of Software Development, Tracey Tessier, and Director of Computer and Network Operations, William Adams. Kneifel and his staff oversee the technical aspects of the website, a one-stop authority for all things canine that attracts over 1.6 million unique visitors each month. In addition to pages devoted to canine care, training, breed profiles (now with video clips of each breed), dog events, National Championships, information for the puppy-buying public and much more, the site is updated daily with breaking news relevant to the dog fancy and pet owners. 2009 saw a successful rollout of the Canine Partners program for mixed breed dogs, including support for both event planning and a listing service.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
The Government Relations department, headed by Director Sheila Goffe, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and to promote responsible dog ownership. The department educates and informs dog owners about issues that impact them, monitors canine legislation, and works to positively influence legislative issues that impact dog owners. In 2010, the department monitored more than 1,200 bills and ordinances at the federal, state and local levels that impacted the rights of dog owners, and posted many important municipal and statewide victories. Sheila also breeds and shows Siberian Huskies.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Margaret Poindexter joined the firm in 2008 after a 20-year legal career in private practice and as counsel with the federal government, for both the U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Poindexter and her staff, including attorneys Heather McManus and Cynthia Beagles, are called upon by the Board and staff to review, draft, and negotiate contracts, manage all litigation, protect intellectual property, provide legal counsel and corporate advice, Margaret Poindexter monitor compliance issues, and prosecute charges filed under the AKC disciplinary system. The department is responsible for risk-management
issues, including procurement of property, casualty, and other commercial insurance and also oversees the clubinsurance program. The legal staff also assists affiliates as requested. Compliance Operations reports to Poindexter. The Compliance Division is entrusted with a crucial mission: maintaining the integrity of the AKC Stud Book, the worlds largest purebred dog registry. The division comprises numerous departments: Investigations and Inspections, Case Management, DNA Operations and Educational Services, and Compliance Support. Two Directors report to Poindexter: Director of DNA Operations and Case Management Glenn Lycan, a lifelong dog fancier and professional handler of 16 years, and Director of Compliance Support Jack Norton, another lifelong dog fancier with six years of professional handling experience. In addition, the field inspectors report directly to Poindexter. Each year AKC inspectors visit thousands of dog kennels, individual breeders and pet stores. They place great emphasis on the care and condition of the dogs they encounter during their visits, as well as accurate record keeping and dog identification. The department monitors situations in which dogs have been seized by law-enforcement agencies in cruelty-to-animals cases. DNA Operations uses genotyping technology for parentage verification and genetic identity purposes on a voluntary basis, for Frequently Used Sires, and for compliance audit purposes during kennel inspections. Case Management assists individuals to resolve complex registration problems or more serious issues, such as chain-of-title questions, litter corrections, co-ownership disputes, and other cases affecting the Stud Book. Compliance Support handles all disciplinary matters arising from AKC events, complaints, or alleged violations of AKCs Code of Sportsmanship.
rience in royalties and contract administration at the Sony Corporation of America was an important asset in the development of the AKC licensing program. Daphna is active in Obedience and Herding with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi. She is a member of the Ladies Kennel Association of America and the Port Chester Obedience Training Club and is a columnist for the Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club. Also under Straus' direct purview is the AKC Canine Good Citizen(r) program (CGC), led by Director Mary Burch, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist whose dogs have been shown in conformation, obedience, and agility. The 10-step CGC test encourages proper canine training and manners in the community. The AKC CGC book "Citizen Canine", the definitive work on the AKC Canine Good Citizen program and authored by Dr. Burch, won the Dog Writers Association of America Award as the Best Training and Behavior book for 2011. The program promotes awareness of responsible dog ownership as an alternative to breed-specific legislation and awards certificates to all dogs, purebred and mixedbreed, who pass the test. Burch also oversees the new AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, an exciting training program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. Puppies that pass the S.T.A.R. test receive a frameable certificate, a puppy medal, a monthly newsletter, and discounted AKC Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) enrollment. Interest in CGC and STAR has continued to increase, with over 57,000 dogs tested in 2010.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
As AVP of Business Development Daphna Straus leads strategic initiatives to strengthen AKCs brand equity as well as develop and enhance corporate relationships. Additionally, she oversees the Affinity credit card program, sponsorships, licensing and merchandising. She is also responsible for managing the AKC Humane Fund. Straus came to AKC in 2001 as Project Manager for DOGNY, AKCs successful public art and fundraising project that generated over $3.5 million in Daphna Straus support for U.S. canine search and rescue organizations across the country. Daphna has 16 years of experience in marketing communications, project management and business development disciplines. Prior to joining the company, she executed branding and marketing research studies for Fortune 100 companies at the online arm of Yankelovich Partners. Her expe-
ence in the dog world. The team also works to increase public awareness of AKC as a source of dog related expertise in addition to promoting responsible ownership. Five Directors report to Lisa Gonzalez: Director of Club Educational Services Barbara Ohmann, Director of Veterinary Outreach Program Debra Bonnefond, Director of Digital Publishing Bob Burns, Director of Public Relations Christina Duffney-Carey and Director of Communications Lisa Peterson. The Communications Department directs efforts at two distinct and critical audiences, the dog fancy and the general public, often using news media or department-produced materials and programs. Serving as the focal point for all external inquiries about the AKC and purebred dogs, the department fields and initiates thousands of calls each year from and to news media. Story ideas are constantly being cultivated and promoted, as are AKC experts and spokespersons. Lisa Peterson, Director of Communications, oversees Corporate Communications, Club Communications (PR programs for more than 5,000 AKC-affiliated dog clubs) and Public Education. Peterson has been with the organization for more than six years and has appeared as an AKC spokesperson on national TV and radio and quoted as an expert in hundreds of print and online media outlets. She has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for more than 28 years as an owner/breeder/handler of Norwegian Elkhounds in conformation and obedience. She is a former Delegate from the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America and is an AKC Breeder of Merit. She is a former daily newspaper journalist covering crime, courts and government as well as freelance magazine writer focusing on horses and dogs. Club Communications works closely with clubs to provide guidance and resources that help them promote their own events and initiatives, as well as the sport in general. Its main mission is AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days held each September, giving affiliated clubs an opportunity and the resources to reach out to their local communities. Nearly 600 clubs, including the flagship event in Raleigh, NC and other organizations nationwide held local RDO Day events in 2010. Christina Duffney-Carey has been the Director of Public Relations since 2008. Christina has over 17 years of professional communications experience including 8 years at the Direct Marketing Association where she developed PR strategy and handled crisis communications, frequently dealing with controversial issues. She also has extensive experience as a publicist for many of the nations top consumer magazines. Most recently she was Director of Public Relations at Inc. and Fast Company magazines where she developed the Best Lemonade Stand in America contest that generated lengthy segments on NPRs Marketplace and ABCs Good Morning America in addition to nationwide newspaper coverage. She has also worked for Hachette Filipacchi on titles such as Womans Day, Road & Track and Car and Driver. In previous positions she has represented Parents, Family Circle, Working Woman, Working
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Mother, Ms. and Money magazines. Some key initiatives of the department include TV and print public service announcements (PSAs) that put forth various responsible dog-ownership messages and burnish the AKCs reputation as the leading source of dog-related expertise. The department also oversaw the publicity and advertising for the worlds largest showcase of cats and dogs, Meet the BreedsTM, held at the Javits Center in New York City. Outreach efforts resulted in more than 39,000 attendees and more than 713,000,000 media impressions. Manager of Public Education, Andrea Lane, educates current and future dog owners about the responsibilities of dog ownership. The department teaches children how to properly care for, respect, and stay safe around dogs, including producing the award-winning DVD The Dog Listener and recruits people to the sport by introducing young and old to AKC registration, events and services. She also supports a network of more than 4,200 AKC-affiliated club volunteers who distribute public education materials and publicize educational programs and initiatives nationwide. These Public Education Coordinators and Canine Ambassadors make presentations to community groups and schools and host events that promote responsible dog ownership. Director Debra Bonnefond oversees the Veterinary Outreach program. She grew up in a family of dog fanciers and has been a breeder-exhibitor for 37 years. The AKC Veterinary Outreach Program serves as a bridge to this profession. Veterinary Outreach promotes AKC to the veterinary community by establishing alliances with universities, researchers, practitioners and related professional organizations. Vet Outreach disburses annual scholarships to veterinary students based on academic history and potential, as well as involvement in the sport. Director of Club Educational Services Barbara Ohmann, a long-time Labrador Retriever breeder and exhibitor, oversees the booth and the AKC Banner Program. The booth travels 30 times a year to promote our philosophy and mission with multimedia educational materials, attending approximately 75 events, Delegate Meetings, and conferences. The AKC Banner Program coordinates the display of logo banners and signage at dog shows and events, increasing visibility with spectators and the media. Director of Digital Publishing Bob Burns is responsible for web content development, e-mail publishing, digital design and other emerging digital media. He also directs advertising sales and operations for these digital communication channels. AKCs e-mail publishing activities is headlined by YourAKC, a free, electronic newsletter presenting feature articles on a broad range of topics with late-breaking, dogcentric news. YourAKC is delivered to over 1,400,000 inboxes every month.
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CONTACT LiST
Dir. Computer Operations Controller Dir. Internal Consulting Attorney Dir. Event Operations Dir. Veterinary Outreach Dir. CGC Program Director Digital Publishing Dir. AKC Event Management Executive Secretary AVP Companion Events Internal Auditor Dir. Support Services Dir. Agility AVP / Assistant Executive Secretary Dir. Public Relations Dir. Registration Services AVP Registration Development AVP Audit & Control Exec. Field Director of Coonhounds Dir. Government Relations VP Marketing & Communications VP Dog Show Judges VP / Chief Information Officer Manager Public Education Dir. Club Relations AVP Performance Events Dir. DNA Ops. & Case Mgmt Chief Operating Officer Dir Obedience, Rally & Tracking Field Director / Sporting Senior Attorney Dir. Compliance Support Dir. Club Educational Services AVP Customer Service Dir. Communications General Counsel AVP Human Resources Dir. Project Administration VP Registration Archivist Dir. Conference & Travel President & CEO VP Event Operations Chief Financial Officer Field Director / Hounds AVP Business Development AVP Software Development Director of Judging Operations Consulting Publisher 919-816-3553 212-696-8279 919-816-3555 212-696-8312 919-816-3571 919-816-3717 850-877-2901 919-816-3573 212-696-8213 212-696-8234 919-816-3575 919-816-3737 919-816-3684 919-816-3502 212-696-8350 212-696-8344 919-816-3785 919-816-3558 919-816-3706 919-816-3910 919-816-3721 919-816-3561 919-816-3592 919-816-3566 919-816-3722 212-696-8237 919-816-3903 919-816-3560 919-816-3688 919-816-3559 731-287-0054 212-696-8284 919-816-3574 919-816-3723 919-816-3594 212-696-8360 919-816-3535 919-816-3735 212-696-8303 919-816-3672 212-696-8216 212-696-8389 212-696-8327 919-816-3646 212-696-8357 256-796-4636 212-696-8243 919-816-3829 919-816-3880 212-696-8276 [email protected] [email protected] mab2akc.org [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
William Adams Joseph Baffuto Michelle Baker Cynthia Beagles Bobby Birdsong Debra Bonnefond Mary Burch Bob Burns Michael Canalizo James P. Crowley Curt A. Curtis Jasey Day Kirby Dennis Carrie DeYoung Gina DiNardo Christina Duffney-Carey Linda Duncklee Mark Dunn Keith L. Frazier Steve Fielder Sheila Goffe Lisa Gonzalez Darrell L. Hayes Charles L. Kneifel Andrea Lane Michael Liosis Doug Ljungren Glenn Lycan John J. Lyons Pamela Manaton Jerry Mann Heather McManus Jack Norton Barbara Ohmann Mari-Beth ONeill Lisa Peterson Margaret H. Poindexter Vicki L. Rees Ronald N. Rella David W. Roberts Craig Savino Paula Spector Dennis B. Sprung Robin L. Stansell James T. Stevens Mel Stewart Daphna Straus Tracey Tessier John Wade John Woods
Corporate Headquarters
260 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016
www.akc.org
Operations
8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
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