Rick is a registered architect with 30 years experience in the design and construction industry.  He received his architecture degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA, and founded Bacon Group, Inc. in 1991.  The Clearwater-based firm provides architecture, planning and interior design with about 80% of its design work done for the animal care professional.  Services provided include design for new or renovated animal boarding, daycare and training facilities, veterinary hospitals, and animal care and control and humane shelter facilities.  Since 1995, Rick has designed or consulted on over 90 animal housing projects in 24 states.

Robin Bennett is the co-owner of All About Dogs, the largest dog training company in Virginia. Since beginning her company in 1993 she has grown from a sole proprietorship to a Corporation that boasts fourteen instructors teaching private lessons as well as numerous group classes and behavior modification lessons for shy, fearful and aggressive dogs. Robin has an excellent working relationship with local veterinarians as well as the Prince William Animal Control Bureau. She is regularly recommended by both groups to evaluate potentially dangerous dogs. Robin successfully owned and operated her own dog daycare for many years. Her book All about Dog Daycare: A Blueprint for Success is the number one reference on owning a daycare, and Robin is a highly sought-after speaker on numerous dog daycare and playgroup topics around the country. She is an active member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and has a BA degree from Roanoke College. Robin regularly attends dog training seminars, has earned Level 1 certification through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the first national certification for dog trainers. Robin is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and is married with two children.

Susan is co-owner of Urban Tails, LLC, a dog daycare and full service pet facility in Houston, TX. With her partners Frances Armstrong and Crista Meyer they opened Urban Tails in December 2000 offering the first cage-free sleepovers for large dogs in Houston. A mission to provide services focused on the health and safety of pets in their care turned to an early passion to promote dog daycare safety. As active members of PCSA, the trade association for pet service providers, Susan pursued including dog daycare facilities as association members. In 2003 she accepted the position of Dog Daycare Chair and worked with a committee of daycare owners from across the country to develop the first facility and operating standards for the dog daycare industry. These standards were published in 2007 as a part of the PCSA’s Voluntary Facility Accreditation (VFA) program. In 2007 Susan was elected to the PCSA board of directors and currently serves as Region 8 director representing members in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. She also serves on the PCSA VFA committee providing expertise on dog daycare services. Susan and her partners have presented seminars on dog daycare services at PCSA regional and national conventions. After repeated requests to offer training for others they started Urban Tails Academy, offering pet professional training and consulting services. Their courses focus on hands-on technical experience in dog daycare and pet facilities operations. Susan has a Masters of Accountancy from Truman University in her home state of Missouri. She has converted to a Texan and lives in Houston with partner Bill Kamps; three dogs, Hallie, Hank and Sheppy; and Sydney her twenty year old feline.

Scott Learned founded the company and is the president of Design Learned, Inc. He has extensive experience in pet care and animal requirements, having cared for many domestic pets, pocket pets, and rescued wild animals. Mr. Learned has advanced education in thermodynamic and fluid dynamic analysis as well as computer simulation of mechanical systems. He is registered with the NCEES and holds Professional Engineering registrations in 23 states. Through the customary requirements of continuing education, Mr. Learned has completed dozens of hours of training in aspects of indoor air quality, electrical, noise control, and plumbing systems. Professionally, Mr. Learned supervises the engineering of the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and noise control aspects of animal care facilities. Additionally, he provides consultation and specification of animal caging, animal equipment, finishes, and floor planning recommendations.

Al Locker is President of Turnkey, Inc., a family owned and operated, third-generation construction company celebrating over 47 years in business. Turnkey, Inc., designs and builds both residential and commercial projects, including remodeling, new design/build “ground up” projects, high-rise condominiums and even exhibits at the Houston Zoo. In 1991, when Al’s wife Suzanne bought a kennel, Al began researching, designing and building pet care facilities. Al and Suzanne built their current 106-run kennel in 1996 and continue to operate it today. Since that time, he has designed 30 and built 12 new kennels, a veterinary hospital, a dog daycare facilities and remodeled existing kennels. He also consults owners about new construction or how to update their current facility with the latest materials and equipment.

Christine is a consultant with the Brakke Veterinary Practice Management Group and is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). She is a small animal practitioner from Chicago, IL, and holds degrees from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and DePaul University Kellsted Graduate School of Business. She served as Assistant Dean for Public Engagement and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine until 2005. As a teacher, she developed and provided business education and career development information to veterinary students, veterinarians and other animal health professionals. Christine’s goal is to advance the veterinary profession through the education of animal health professionals and the public. She has written articles and given numerous interviews for newspaper, radio and TV, in addition to providing both small and large seminars for clinic staff and national veterinary associations. She is an active member of several veterinary organizations including the Association of Veterinary Practice Management Consultants and Advisors (AVPMCA) where she recently served as their president. Christine has a particular interest in communications, organizational behavior and integration of marketing into private practice by focusing on staff and client education.

Joanne attended Susquehanna University and went on to own and operate four very successful Invisible Fence Dealerships for over 15 years. During this time she developed an extensive marketing and customer service background. Her dealerships won National Awards and were viewed as one of the leaders in the industry and country. She currently serves as PCSA Region 2 Director. Her vision has increased to continue to grow and improve the image of the pet care industry. She is passionate about creating opportunities for members to network and to take advantage of all that PCSA has to offer. Joanne is Vice President of Morris Animal Inn.

Patty started with Morris Animal Inn in 1993 as a kennel attendant and has worked her way to her current position where she oversees the daily operations of five separate departments, almost 100 employees and up to 300 animals. Patty has a BS in Biology from the College of New Jersey, is licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician, and worked as a microbiologist prior to joining Morris Animal Inn as the General Manager. Patty’s diverse background in microbiology, emergency medicine and 20 years experience in animal care gives her a unique perspective when dealing with animals and people alike.

Jaime Van Wye is the founder and creator of KennelStart. Jaime grew up in Los Angeles, as one of those kids with a penchant for bringing home dozens of lost dogs. During her college years at U.C. Berkeley, Jaime worked as a cook at the top restaurant in the country, Chez Panisse, learning the finer points of the hospitality industry. After a stint learning the ins and outs of retail purchasing with the buyers at Williams-Sonoma, she left corporate environment, moved back to L.A., and became a dog trainer.

In the year 2001, Jaime set out to create Los Angeles’ very best dog kennel, modeled on the concept of customer service and her restaurant background. After months of research, hard work, haggling, creative financial backing, and construction, she opened ROVER.

ROVER soon became the go-to kennel in L.A., frequented by the dogs of celebrities like Tom Cruise, Kelly Clarkson, and Tyra Banks, as well as Hollywood’s movie and television producers, directors, agents, and society elite. But ROVER wasn’t just a high-class joint for the wealthy. The kennel was busy: frequented by average, pet-loving folks with less recognizable names who nevertheless demanded the finest care for their family members. Jaime grew ROVER from only two employees to over 25 in just under three years. The business became a tremendous success, grossing over $750,000 in the first year alone, with revenue channels in retail, training, boarding, grooming, and daycare. Jaime sold ROVER in early 2007 to focus on consulting and her true passion, developing products and writing books that are informative, interesting, and useful. She is currently under contract to produce a series of DVDs and dog training books, due out in late 2007.

Jaime is also the owner and director of a dog training and agility center in Los Angeles, The Zoom Room, as well as the author of the satirical self-help book, How to Have an Ill-Behaved Dog.

Nancy Webb is currently with Wells Fargo in Houston, Texas. Although she lends money to a variety of owner occupied business, such as car washes, hotels, day care centers and bed and breakfasts, her favorite is the pet services industry. She can lend nationwide and has customers all over the US. Like many of you, this is Nancy’s second career. Before being a banker, she was a Marine Biologist, specializing in coastal habitat restoration on the Texas Coast. She lives in Houston with her husband and her pet children, Mouse a Schipperkee, Truffles the Labrador and Meerkat the Siamese.

Joe started in the pet industry as a 13-year-old bather/brusher in a small grooming shop in St. Louis. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and he was employed by Kennelwood Village from July, 1989, to September, 2008. As Vice President of Operations, he was responsible for the management and growth of six Kennelwood Pet Resorts and Grooming Spas, Kennelwood’s Pet Training Academy, Kennelwood’s Grooming Instruction Program, Kennelwood’s Service Quality Management Program, Kennelwood’s Employee Safety Program, Computer Software and Hardware Development, Telecommunications, and the development, start up and managing of the new locations in the future. Since 1992, Joe has been an active member of the Business Advisory Council for Jefferson College, a local community college outside of St. Louis. He has spoken to hundreds of high school aged youth as well as freshman college students in areas such as business, management, and sales. He also holds a part time position as an adjunct professor of graduate and undergraduate business administration courses at Fontbonne University, a private university in St. Louis. Since September 2008, Joe has worked as Sales Manager at Cosmos Corporation/Tropiclean, overseeing the Wholesale Division as well as managing National Accounts. He also assists in New Product Development and Deployment.