|
|
2008 Judges & Speakers
Diane is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer and has owned Heads and Tails Professional Dog Grooming, Inc., in Liverpool, New York since 1982. She has multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer wins. Competing as a member of GroomTeam USA, at the World Championship Team Competitions in Milan, Italy, she won the Gold Medal in the Poodle Class and Best in Show. She has served on the Board of the GroomTeam USA and as their Corresponding Secretary. Diane has won a Cardinal Crystal Achievement Aware for “American Groomer of the Year” and was nominated for “Groomer of the Century” in 2000. She is a National Grooming Consultant for The Andis Company. Diane also does demonstrations, speaks, and judges at grooming shows throughout the country and offers private consultation for conformation and competitive grooming. Diane has recently completed the training/judge’s orientation required by the United ShowManager’s Alliance and was approved as a Sanctioned Judge. Diane will join Shirlee Kalstone and Jay Scruggs in the judging of the International Groomer of the Year Competition Poodle Class.
A Summa Cum Laude graduate of East Stroundsburg University of Pennsylvania, Andrew Biondo has been employed in the computer industry in various forms, from management to training, for over a decade. In 2006, he joined Blue Crystal Software Corporation of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, as the Director of Product Training. His responsibilities include the managing of the Department and conducting groiup classes and on-site training and installation for a number of different industries who use there proprietary software systems; chief among those industries are their clients involved in various pet services operations.
Alexa Cach, co-founder, partner,
and executive director of Pet Fashion Week NY, is a long time fashion industry
professional, designer, and facilitator of design platforms. As a visionary, she
created the PFW Design Platform and conceptualizes the runway shows, design
awards, showcases and exhibitions. She manages the Pet Fashion Week NY team and
is responsible for Pet Fashion Week’s sponsoring, marketing and branding
strategies.
Donna Carey of Sarasota Florida is a Certified Pet Massage Practioner with the Petmassage and Research Institute. She also is certified in small animal Acupressure from Tallgrass School. Donna is currently studying in being a Reiki Master. A member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Body work, she is also a Certified Master Groomer with NDGA and has been involved in the Pet Industry for over 28yrs. A former owner and operator of mobile pet grooming salons, Donna has often competed in grooming contests, resulting in multiple wins earning her a place on GroomTeam USA in the past. In addition she served as board member of GroomTeam USA for many years. She now is a popular speaker, teacher and consultant in the Pet field. Donna currently owns Heart and Harmony Pet Massage School. She offers her knowledge and instruction to pet professionals in private and classroom setting on Pet Massage. Her website: www heartandharmonypetmassage.com
Garry Carlson is bringing his unique brand of enthusiasm and expertise in the area of personal development to Intergroom. Garry is a Certified Professional Coach with his own coaching practice, Eyes Wide Open Coaching Services, specializing in Business Development Coaching. Besides running his own coaching practice, Garry also works for the International Coach Academy, in Melbourne Australia, where he helps other coaches from around the world. Garry and his wife Linda have had several successful grooming locations and enjoy traveling between their two horse farms in Woodstock Vermont and Carthage North Carolina. Garry's personal development seminars will both empower and entertain you. If personal and professional growth is what you are looking for this year at Intergroom, then you won't want to miss either one of his seminars.
Vero Da Sylva is an accomplished Pet Stylist in the Grooming Industry in the US and Europe. She is a Certified Master Groomer, Dermatech Specialist ISCC., Groom Team Member from 2003 to 2006 and number one in the Country in 2003, 04, and 05. Multiple Best in Show and Best All Around Groomer, Vero has received multiple Scissoring Awards , The Lynne Carver Award – three times (for most “Best All-Around Groomer” awards in a year), The Ultimate Pet Stylist Award, and Winner of the Triple Crown Circle Tournament at Groom Expo. She received the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for The Best American Groomer of the Year in 2005 and again in 2006. She was the Oster Invitational Tournament Grand Champion for the year 2003. She was the winner of the Show Dog of the Year Special Industry Award in 2005 & 2006 for Groomer of the Year at the Westminster Dog Show. Winning the Gold Medal at the World Groom Team Championship in France in 2005, Vero helped our GroomTeam USA to bring home the Silver Medal. She has been active in the Show ring in the US and showed extensively in Europe. Along with Kathy Rose, she is the Class Judge for the entire Intergroom Rising Star of the Year Competition, plus the Best in Show.
Mario DiFante, co-founder, partner, and executive director of Pet Fashion Week NY, is a world renowned pet industry professional stylist with multiple Gold Medal wins at Intergroom. In addition to his many grooming achievements, he has been invited to lecture and judge both here and abroad. Owner of “Four Paws” grooming in North Providence, Rhode Island, he had thought he realized his dream when he moved his grooming “shop” and designed the award winning “salon” seen in pet magazines almost 10 years ago. It was voted by national competition from the old Groom and Board magazine - #1 pet spa in the US for the new millennium. As an industry innovator, Mario envisioned the idea of Pet Fashion Week NY with a focus of creating trade shows and events in a fashion week setting. His latest dream is taking him around the world in a whirl wind of invitations from England to Japan with runway pet industry fashion shows! With his extensive background in both the show dog and pet industry, his overall objective is to support the rapidly growing pet lifestyle industry by creating platforms for progressive ideas and bringing together the top industry professionals in the world on yet another working plane.
After attaining her Juris Doctorate law degree from Texas Tech U., Graduating Summa Cum Laude from U of NM, Phi Beta Kappa, she now teaches at Santa Fe Community College in Law and Business Management. She has served as a trial consultant on animal law cases and is considered an expert witness. Currently she is working with specific laws concerning our pet grooming industry. Trish currently operates a highly successful pet styling business catering to an elite celebrity clientele in Santa Fe, New Mexico, aptly named "Simply the Best." She also maintains a website called PetCareLaw.com, providing information, legal forms and help to the pet industry. Trish will join Vero Da Sylva and Kathy Rose in the judging of the Rising Star of the Year Poodle Class.
World-renowned grooming expert, Sarah Hawks, is the owner and operator of Dog Works in Newark, Delaware. Sarah, a terrier specialist, is a multiple contest winner, earning many gold, silver and bronze medals at Intergroom, and was the “Intergroom International Groomer of the Year” in 2007. She qualified for GroomTeam USA in 1995 and 1996, and was among the top 10 in l997 and 2007. In 1995, she won Best Groomed Dog in Show in the Netherlands with her hand-stripped Sealyham Terrier, Trigger. Because of her many achievements in the grooming contest ring, Sarah has been frequently invited to compete in the Oster International Tournament of Champions where, over the years, she won two bronze medals, two silver medals and, in 2004, the title of “Oster World Grand Champion.” She has had three First Place wins in the “Winners Circle Tournament” in Hershey. In September 2007, Sarah was the Grand Champion of the first Model Dog Competition held in the United States at SuperGroom in Las Vegas. A few of Sarah’s other accomplishments include: video producer (7 videos in the “Sarah Presents” series), NDGAA certifier, presenter of terrier seminars, mentor to up-and-coming groomers, and consultant and rep for Les Poochs Fragrances.
Judy Hudson, NCMG is the owner operator of Groomingtails Mobile Pet Grooming in Nashville TN. Judy has multiple BIS and Best All around Groomer Awards to her credit. In 1997 Judy started her competition career winning the group in the Potpourri Class in Atlanta and finding herself in the BIS line up! After that she was hooked! She stayed in Groom Team’s top 10 groomers for 4 years; finishing her career with a gold medal in France with her American Cocker Spaniel and helping the team bring home the silver in 2005! She is also very proud of winning the Sybil Memorial Award given at Intergroom in 2002 for the groomer having the most harmonious relationship with her dog. In 2004 she was nominated for the prestigious Cardinal Crystal American groomer of the year award. Judy has retired from the contest ring but enjoys speaking and judging! Her other great love is coaching her daughter’s basketball team and watching her son play for the high school. She is proud to be an ambassador for the Oster Company
Shirlee founded Intergroom in 1981. Under her guidance, Intergroom became the most prestigious international grooming competition and educational conference in the world. She is the author of 15 books and countless articles about the grooming and health care of dogs and cats. One book, Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference, is probably the most popular grooming book in the world. Through the years, she and her husband, Larry, have shown Poodles, Whippets, and English Setters. Recipient of 7 Cardinal Crystal Achievement Awards, Shirlee is a popular and well-respected competition judge, both in the United States and abroad, having judged in Canada, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Japan and Argentina. As the Judges Education Chairman for the IJA, she is presently drafting breed study programs and guidelines for judging grooming contests. She is also currently working on a book about dog shows with Frank Sabella. Along with Jay Scruggs, she is the Class Judge for the entire Intergroom International Groomer of the Year Competition, plus the Best in Show.
Derrik Kassebaum is an owner as well as Director of Sales of Cosmos Corporation in Wentzville, Missouri. An active member of our pet grooming industry since 1988, he has helped launch The Cosmos Shampoo System, Tropiclean Pet Products, Oxy-Med Products and, in 2006, the new SPA Lavish Pet Line. His work has taken him into over 10,000 different stores and salons. By watching the trends of the “Beauty” industry, he has helped to create new add-on services in the pet category. Increasing the bottom line is a consideration for every salon owner. He loves to help both the start-up shop and the well established grooming salon to create better profits with less cost. Always smiling, he welcomes your comments, suggestions, and questions in the Tropiclean booth at all grooming shows.
Pam Lauritzen, PDS, MPS Meritus, Certifier, Founder of ISCC Pam Lauritzen has been a leader and pioneer within the pet styling industry for over 30 years. She is recognized by her peers as an accomplished Pet Stylist, Pet Styling Judge, Lecturer, Author and Trade Show Manager. She has authored numerous articles for pet styling association newsletters, pet industry trade publications, and has served as field editor for Groom & Board magazine. She was also the Publisher and Editor In Chief of PetStylist, a trade publication known for its commitment to education. Pam was also instrumental in the creation of Professional Pet Groomers Certification, Inc. (PPGC) where she served as their President and first Certification Coordinator. Based upon her outstanding accomplishments as an award winning Pet Stylist and leader, Pam was selected by her peers to be the first Certified Master Groomer and Certifier in the world. In 1988, by virtue of her outstanding pet styling credentials and accomplishments, Pam was selected to be the first Chairman of the Board of the International Professional Groomers, Inc. and is currently the founder and President of the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC). Pam continues to conduct a variety of advanced continuing education seminars and is in the vanguard of research and development of new and innovative concepts and pet styling techniques that improve the speed, quality, safety and productivity of Professional Pet Styling.
Lisa is a third generation stylist with over 25 years of experience. She is also a clinician, speaker, Certified Master Groomer and Certifier for IPG. She has many Best in Show and Best-All-Around Groomer awards and is a multiple Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award nominee and recipient of the 2003 Congeniality Award. She has been a GroomTeam USA member since 2000 and traveled with the Team to France in 2004 where she helped to bring home the Silver Medal. In 2002, Lisa sold her salon of 10 years and began a new career as a grooming school instructor at the Windy City School of Pet Grooming in Elk Grove Village, IL. After five years in the classroom, Lisa is now the proud owner of “Primp My Pooch Mobile Pet Salon” in Genoa, IL. Lisa has shown and bred champion Smooth Fox Terriers for 15 years. She has also recently completed the training/judge’s orientation required by the United ShowManager’s Alliance and was approved as a Sanctioned Judge.
Jodi Murphy is a Master Pet Stylist. She owns and operates The Puppy Spa Mobile Grooming in New Jersey. Jodi has been a four time member of Groom Team USA and has been ranked within the top four competitors in the country for four years. Jodi is a multiple Best in Show and Best All Around competitor. An International medalist winning a gold and bronze medal in Barcelona, Spain in 2004 and a gold medal in Milan, Italy in 2007 competing among 13 countries of world renown groomers. In 2005 and 2006 she was awarded Best American Groomer at Intergroom. In 2005 captured the title of World Grand Champion in the Oster Invitational Tournament of Champions amongst forty-two competitors from around the world. An industry speaker and contest judge educating groomers throughout the United States and abroad. Currently she is producing the Jodi Murphy Instructional Series to bring advanced grooming education to groomers on DVD. She is a National Grooming Consultant for the Andis Clipper Company.
Chris was a contest competitor with to national and international awards. In 1994, she was Intergroom’s International Groomer of the Year and in 1995 she won the Oster International Invitational Tournament of Champions. A member of GroomTeam from 1992-1995. Chris was a top competitor! She has been a Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award winner for “Groomer of the Year”, “Judge of the Year”, and “Congeniality”. Currently, Chris serves as the National Training Manager for Oster Professional Pet Products. She now has two sons and juggles motherhood, salon ownership, and travel with the Oster Theater! Chris recently completed the training/judge’s orientation required by the United ShowManager’s Alliance and was approved as a Sanctioned Judge.
Kathy Rose, owner of “Pets of Perfection” in Boynton Beach, Florida since 1983, initially gained recognition in this industry as a top winning groomer in the United States and abroad. A veteran competitor, early on she could be seen in competition rings from coast to coast, winning awards in all types of classes including Creative Styling. Her artistry earned her multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer awards as well as a spot on GroomTeam USA for four consecutive years. Nominated on multiple occasions and in numerous categories, Kathy won a prestigious Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for “Outstanding Service to the Pet Industry”. A well respected judge and knowledgeable lecturer, Kathy is the Team Director for the International Judges Association (IJA) and is always seen at all the Barkleigh Production grooming shows. Along with Vero Da Sylva, she is the Class Judge for the entire Intergroom Rising Star of the Year Competition, plus the Best in Show.
Joanne has been a professional pet stylist since 1963. She managed a kennel in California and tried her hand at pet sitting. In 1973, Joanne “went mobile”. She brought mobile pet styling to San Antonio, Texas,m in 1979 with “Joanne’s Proud Puppies”. Joanne has worked for Barkleigh Productions for over ten years. Known affectionately as “Sparkly Barkleigh”, you will find her promoting their products at pet styling shows. As a former competitor, Joanne has placed in almost every competition she entered. She once competed with three entries in a Clipper Vac contest while all the other contestants did one dog each! You will find her lively and enjoyable as a speaker!
Missi owns The Village Groomer and Pet Supply in Massachusetts, her family's business since 1969, as well as Dog Daze, a day care center for four-legged friends. Missi has been a featured speaker at both national and regional conferences in the professional pet care industry and beyond. She is a teacher and consultant for PetEdge and an Oster Ambassador. Missi hosts the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Awards and has been nominated twice for journalism. She currently writes features for Grooming Business Magazine. Along with her mother, Kathleen Salzberg, Missi owns Bad Dog Realty, a commercial and residential real estate company, and as Bad Dog Promotions she does private consulting with small business owners. She proudly emcees her home show for the New England Pet Grooming Professionals each fall. The 'Bad Dog' companies are named in loving memory of her father David "Bad Dog" Salzberg.
As the “father” of Pet Styling Competitions, Jerry manages the oldest pet styling show and contest – The All American Grooming Show”. Now in its 36th year, this takes place every August in Chicago, Illinois. Jerry owned “A Tondeur” Pet Styling Salon for over 40 years - retiring from this only recently! He developed the concept for GroomTeam USA and served on its Board of Directors for many years. Jerry is one of the founding members of the United ShowManager’s Alliance. His wit, combined with his extraordinary contributions to our ever growing grooming industry, make him make him beyond compare as a Speaker, Judge, and Master of Ceremonies at shows across this nation. Jerry will judge our new Creative Styling Challenge competition on Sunday afternoon with Ann Stafford.
Jay and his wife Michelle own Here Comes the Groom, a highly successful mobile grooming salon in Germantown, Tennessee. Their company is in such demand that his clients pay a membership fee to get an appointment with him. Jay has won multiple best in show and best all around groomer awards in grooming competitions around the United States. Jay won an international Best in Show and helped Groomteam USA win the Gold medal in Calgary, Canada in 2001. Jay was named American Groomer of the Year in 2001. He was also the first groomer to receive the Groomer of the Year Award at Westminster Dog Show in 2002. In the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain 2003 Jay won an International Gold and Bronze medal in two different poodle classes that helped Groomteam USA win the silver medal. In 2004 Jay was voted by the industry Grooming Judge of the year for his knowledge of breeds and the ability to judge them. Jay recently judged the World Groomteam Championships in Italy and will be traveling to Australia to judge and speak in September. Jay is the National spokesperson for The Coat Handler shampoo Co. He is also a Wahl Clipper Corp. and Kenchii representative. Jay and Groomers Choice have teamed up to present the Jay Scruggs Signature Series line of grooming shears. Jay and Sue Zecco have also launched a very popular one day grooming series Super Styling Sessions and have a instructional dvd series and web site www.caninegroomingsecrets.com Along with Shirlee Kalstone, he is the Class Judge for the entire Intergroom International Groomer of the Year Competition, plus the Best in Show.
Todd is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Barkleigh Productions. He has worked for Barkleigh Productions for nearly 20 years in various part time and full time capacities; from trade show floor manager to his current position. He has a bachelors degree in psychology from Lee University. After graduating college, Todd worked in the psychology field in a mental health facility, then as a case manager for a foster care agency. He was then self- employed before working full time for Barkleigh Productions.
Ann is a 34 year veteran of the pet industry and has gained national recognition as a major industry leader. She is a Certified Master Stylist through three nationally recognized testing organizations. Ann has produced the Atlanta Pet Fair, the largest show in the Southeast for professional pet stylists, for 20 years. She has been a nominee for the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Awards. Ann is also responsible for hiring/training/supervision of the team of experienced pet stylists employed by “Ann’s Mobile Pet Styling” in Tucker, Georgia. She is one of the founding members of the United ShowManager’s Alliance. Often found behind the scenes helping out at Intergroom, she is always ready with positive and supportive suggestions. Ann manages the competition area at the All American Grooming Show in Chicago, IL. She has been married to her wonderful husband, Richard, for 31 years! Ann will judge our new Creative Styling Challenge competition on Sunday afternoon with Jerry Schinberg.
Suesan is a third generation stylist whose dynamic career began over 40 years ago with both “Conformation Handling” and grooming in a family-run business. She is a Certified Master Groomer and owns a successful mobile grooming business “Best All Around Groomer” , serving the Chicago/Northwest Suburban area. Sue began competing in 1995 and has received many Class and Group placements – Best in Show’s, Best All-Around Groomer’s, Best Scissored Poodle, plus several humanitarian awards. She is the winner of the “Wahl 2003 Groomer of the Year” award presented at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show and the recipient of three consecutive Cardinal Crystal Grooming Achievement Award’s for “American Groomer of the Year”. Making GroomTeam in 2000, Suesan was in the top five positions for five years in a row before retiring from competition to become a judge in 2005. She is a representative of the Wahl Clipper Company. Sue recently completed the training/judge’s orientation required by the United ShowManager’s Alliance and was approved as a Sanctioned Judge.
Sue Zecco is a groomer with over
30 years experience. With her husband Ray, the Pampered Pet Grooming Salon was
started in 1977. Sue is a multiple grooming contest winner and GroomTeam USA
member. In the years she competed for GroomTeam points she won many Best in
Show, Best All Around Groomer, Best Groomed Poodles, and Best Scissored Dog
awards. Her proudest accomplishments were winning 1998 Intergroom International
Groomer of the Year Award, and 1999 Oster Invitational's Grand Champion. She is
very proud to have been voted by her piers, 1998 & 2000 Cardinal Crystal
Achievements Groomer of the Year, 2002 Cardinal Contest Judge of the Year, and
2004 & 2005's Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for Congeniality. NOTE: Speakers’ classes are listed in the Master Class Course Descriptions.
|
DIANE BETELAK –Judge 
ANDREW BIONDO,II– Speaker
ALEXA CACH – Speaker
DONNA CAREY – Speaker
GARRY CARLSON - Speaker
VERO DA SYLVA – Judge 
MARIO DIFANTE - Speaker 
TRISH FINN – Speaker & Judge
SARAH HAWKS – Speaker
JUDY HUDSON - Oster Theater
Speaker
SHIRLEE KALSTONE – Judge 
DERRIK
KASSEBAUM – Speaker
PAM LAURITZEN – Speaker
LISA LEADY - Speaker
JODI MURPHY - Speaker
CHRISTINA PAWLOSKY - Oster Theater
Speaker
KATHY ROSE – Judge 
JOANNE RUSSELL - Speaker
MISSI SALZBERG – Oster Theater
speaker
JERRY SCHINBERG - Judge
JAY SCRUGGS – Judge 
TODD SHELLY – Speaker, Sponsored
by Barkleigh Productions
ANN STAFFORD - Creative Styling
Judge
SUESAN WATSON - Speaker
SUE ZECCO – Speaker