Groom Expo information coming soon!
*Last year's info below
Speakers
Dana Chavez-Rey
Dana got her start as a lead veterinary technician at the North Peninsula Humane Society from 1998. While working there she witnessed firsthand the importance of basic care for our pets. She worked in many areas of the veterinary world before becoming a groomer in 2005 and founded A Purrfect Groomer. After 10 years in the brick and mortar salon she decided to go mobile and has been at it ever since. As a feline grooming expert, Dana was a founding member of the Intellectual Groomers Association and she wrote the guidelines that were used in feline certification. Now a Global Educator with Andis, Dana brings her vast knowledge of feline grooming to the everyday groomer.
Jessica Adorno
Jessica Adorno is the owner/founder of Pupparazzi Pets Mobile Pet Grooming and has been involved in the grooming industry for 15 years. She was formally trained at American Academy of Dog Grooming located in NYC, is CPR certified and has extensive knowledge in skin and coat conditions. Jessica worked in a grooming salon for four years where she gathered knowledge of several breeds and the complexities that groomers, pet owners, and dogs face. In 2007, Pupparazzi Pets was born as one of the first mobile pet grooming businesses in Bronx, NY, which began in a horse trailer and is now three elite mobile vans. Throughout the years, she has continued her education and is dedicated to her craft.
Allison Alexander
A student-become-master of purebred dogs, Allison Alexander has honed her skills through hands-on experience with breeders, handlers, and groomers all over the world. She has become the go-to resource for both beginner and advanced Poodle owners, handling everything from basic grooming techniques to planning and executing the most difficult show trims. Allison is known around the world for her unique teaching ability that connects with students on every level. Allison has presented seminars on grooming Poodles, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, Spaniels, Setters, Afghans, Affenpinschers, Kerry Blue Terriers, and many others all over this planet. She is also the Creative Educational Advisor and Specialist for Chris Christensen Systems. In 2017, she launched Leading Edge Dog Show Academy, the world's first online dog show training and grooming school. LEDSA has won the award for Best Online Education each year since its inception. Her mission is to help mentor a new generation of dog enthusiasts through innovative video-based grooming lessons.
Chris Anthony
Chris Anthony, weary from her travails in retail management and office work, found her calling when she discovered pet grooming. Her near fifteen year journey in this career has led her through many opportunities, experiences & life lessons, including grooming and managing in both small and corporate salons, and starting her own successful house call grooming business in New Jersey. Supplementing those life lessons by educating herself on the varying aspects of her career, she always sought out innovations in pet care, education, grooming techniques, tools and products. Now her passion for grooming & education has added more in depth knowledge on scissors, scissoring techniques and ergonomics to help preserve her own health and longevity in her chosen profession.
Jay Batista
Jay Batista is a Certified Pet Groomer by IPG, a member of the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists, and graduated Gold with EduGroom, studying under Victor Rosado. Jay is the Puerto Rico All Other Purebred and Best in Show Champion of 2017 and 2018. A social media influencer, Jay Batista has over 34,000 followers on Instagram, which lead to many brand ambassadorships including Wahl, Fresh Shears, Pawmat, Alpha Grooming Products, Tumi Wear, Duz Dryer, and Hydra USA, Puerto Rico and International. Jay has taught in Puerto Rico, the US, and Columbia featuring unique Salon and Asian Freestyle trims.
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins is the Owner/Master Groomer at Love Fur Dogs in Glencoe, Illinois. Named “Best Groomer in Chicagoland” by the Chicago Tribune, Jennifer has been grooming, breeding, and showing several breeds of dogs and cats for four decades. Jennifer was featured on Season Three of the Hulu Television Series Small Business Revolution as a Grooming Expert. A retired career teacher, Jennifer is a grooming educator who also writes grooming articles and an award-winning blog. Jennifer has published a poster and is working on a book of the same title, A Groomers Guide to the Fifteen Coat Types, based on her ground-breaking seminar. Jennifer founded the Illinois Professional Pet Groomers Association. Jennifer and her husband live with their retired show dogs, two miniature poodles and two Australian Shepherds. They bi-locate between suburban Chicago and their Powhatan, Virginia retirement retreat. Jennifer can be reached at www.groomersguide.com
Elli Bultemeier
Elli found her passion for grooming over a decade ago when she started as a bather at PetSmart. Not long after training to be a groomer there, she moved to the private sector. She is an award-winning competition groomer, certified pet aesthetician, NCMG, and co-owner of Retro Stylist wear. In 2017, Elli started at Smoochie Pooch and currently wears many hats as she is currently a marketing development and regional manager, helping run a company with more than 7 locations and about 40 employees. She is passionate about helping the business grow and creating an employee first, compassionate work environment for her team.
Dave Campanella
Dave Campanella is an informative and entertaining seminar speaker, contributing trade columnist and genuine grooming enthusiast. He has over 30 years of pet industry knowledge, and has been Best Shot Pet Products sales, marketing, and product director for 15 years. He and his wife Tracy have co-owned a full service pet salon and self-wash in Ohio prior to relocating with Best Shot to Kentucky. Together they enjoy exhibiting at grooming shows, being industry ambassadors and showing their Kerry Blue Terriers, Lowland Polish Sheep Dog, and Samoyed.
Anjie Coates
During her 30 years in the grooming industry, Anjie Coates realized that more than just dogs and cats needed her, so she began to specialize in rabbits and other small mammals. At Furry Tails, the salon she co-owns in Holden, Mass, she has created a niche market as a rabbit groomer and is recommended as the “go-to rabbit groomer” by veterinarians as far away as Maine. Her passion for continuing education shows through in her achieving CMRG (Certified Master Rabbit Groomer) as well as CCE, ACG and PGC. Combining that drive to be educated with a need to share that knowledge has led her to teach Pet Tech First Aide & CPR classes for groomers and pet owners alike. This brand ambassador for All For Groomers is currently publishing the first rabbit grooming book in the industry.
Rachel Colant
Rachel Colant is an award-winning, second-generation dog groomer with over eleven years of experience. She put her stamp on the grooming industry as the go-to drop coat specialist and has become known for the cutest Yorkies in all the land. Her passion for education has led her to the coveted position of lead groomer at Jess Rona Grooming in Los Angeles where she oversees competition-level grooming on every dog, every day. Her ultimate goal is to continue to elevate the industry through education and her signature gentle grooming techniques.
Jonathan David
Jonathan David has been the recipient of multiple scissoring awards, multiple Best All Around Groomer awards and Best in Show earning him a position on GroomTeam USA in 2008 and 2009. Jonathan was also a contestant on Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It" and has been featured as a grooming expert on multiple television shows. Currently, Jonathan owns and operates his salon, Lap of Luxury Dog Spa in Delray Beach, Florida and is a board member of multiple dog clubs.
Teri DiMarino
An industry veteran, Teri has owned and operated successful salons and mobiles in Florida and California. A winning grooming contest competitor, Teri was a member of three GroomTeam USA Gold Medal teams. A multiple Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Award winner, Teri was a regular columnist for Groomer to Groomer Magazine as well as a popular speaker and judge at seminars and trade shows across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Dr. Cliff Faver
Dr. Cliff Faver, a 1987 graduate of CSU, is the founder/owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona. He is the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products. He uses the two businesses as a means of merging the grooming and veterinary professions to pursue his life's passion of healing and helping pets. Dr. Faver is an international speaker and teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program. He is a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, a sponsor for the CPPGA, a Board member for the Burbank Kennel Club, and previously served on the Novartis Lead Committee, Hill's International Global Veterinary Board, and is still active in a Veterinary Management Group.
Janice Fehn, CMG
Janice Fehn started her grooming career in high school by grooming her own Cocker Spaniel and a Standard Poodle that no one else could groom. Those two dogs were the first of many second-hand and rescues she had over many years since 1966. Janice started breeding and showing Cockers in the late 70's, gaining her Master Grooming certificate in '82. Sunshine Acres was her kennel name and horse farm. Janice still attends seminars and is always striving to move forward. Janice continues to enjoy grooming, mentoring, and teaching. From managing her solo grooming shop to managing four corporate grooming salons, she has seen about everything that groomers encounter!
Erin Flynn
Erin Flynn started her grooming career 16 years ago and has always had a passion for improving her skills while providing a safe and comfortable setting for dogs of all sizes and types. In 2021, Erin and her friend opened Furst Place Pups, offering high quality care and grooming in Dayton area. Her focus has been on mastering handling and technical skills with a focus on difficult and mobility challenged dogs. More recently she has applied those skills to the show stage and looks forward to many more years of competing and educating.
Jessika Friesen
Jessika is a Certified High Performance Life Coach from Canada. She's a CPPS Certified dog groomer and has completed her practicums for her masters. She wishes to help groomers perform higher by teaching time management, seek goals clearly, and focus on health to do one's best overall.
Donovan Gallagher
Raised in the pet grooming world, Donovan has seen and done it all. As young as seven, he found himself at world-renowned trade shows such as Groom Expo, Groom Expo West, and Intergroom. Over the years, he has worked with incredible stylists from across the globe to learn and integrate some of the most advanced grooming and bathing techniques into his pet styling education. This allowed him to work and help prepare dogs for private classes, online education, photo shoots, and competition grooming. In 2021, Donovan and his mom, Jayne, were competitors on the cultural phenomenon Pooch Perfect on ABC.
Jayne Gallagher
Who would have thought that someone who grew up in a "No Pets Allowed" household would end up spearheading some of the most iconic grooms in the country? Jayne graduated from the Jersey Shore Grooming Academy in the year 2000, took courses from the prestigious Nash Academy, and took private lessons from top pet stylists and GroomTeam members from around the globe. She marks herself as a perpetual student, always excited to stay sharp in her craft. She is an award-winning legend who is known far and wide in the grooming community, even being featured as a competitor in the 2021 cultural phenomenon Pooch Perfect on ABC Network. Jayne specializes in creative styling, salon freestyle, Asian fusion, poodles, and bichons.
Misty Gieczys
Misty is an IGA Certified Master Groomer and has won many Best in Shows, Best All Around Groomer. She was on the US Gold Winning Model Dog Team in Taiwan and took BIS Creative. She won the Cardinal Crystal Grooming Achievement Award for her Charity "Groomers for Groomers." Nominated for Creative Groomer Barkleigh Honors and awarded IJA Creative Groomer. Misty started grooming in 2005 and helped open 3 other salons. She owns 2 upscale salons in Columbus Ohio with a staff of 15; Designer Paws Salon. 1st opened in 2013 and second in 2018 with receiving multiple service awards.
Jill Hailey
Jill Hailey has created a virtual empire since opening her first mobile pet salon in 2014. Today her mobile business runs eight units in California. She owns Foxy Roxy’s Supply Co. which began in 2017 and includes Scissor of the Month Club and Groomer Supply Box. Along with her partner Blake Hernandez, she also runs multiple continuing education platforms, including the Foxify weekend retreats and GROOM Source. Jill came into the industry with plenty of experience in business management and graphic design, but oddly, none in grooming! And she believes that has brought a unique perspective with her that has contributed to her success.
Michelle Hall
Michelle N. Hall has been a Certified Veterinary Technician for many years and has practiced in shelter medicine, general practice and, her favorite, emergency medicine. She began grooming out of her bathroom as a hobby. Within three years, the business quickly outgrew her home and with changes and growth came her storefront and newly named, Compassionate Groom and Spa. Michelle has competed in DECA competitions in high school which focuses on business management and administration. She utilizes social media heavily for her growth to 3000+ clients in six years of being open for business. She integrates her medical background with grooming to provide a unique salon that is AKC SAFE Certified and Fear Free Certified.
Juanita Harris
A groomer of 10 years and former owner of Grooming by Juanita, a storefront located in Pennsylvania, Juanita is now a Brand Marketing Associate for Ryan’s Pet Supplies. Prior to her career, Juanita completed her Degree in Law and spent time researching animal behavior which helped her understand the connection between dogs and humans. Juanita also has an extensive career in high-end sales, retail, and corporate level, as well as private grooming based in New York City which helped her have insight into building successful client relationships. In building a successful online brand, Juanita has worked with brands including Andis, Hydra, Duke & Winston, Skout’s Honor, Blackworks, Chippin’, and more!
Blake Hernandez
Blake Hernandez is a NCMG and three-time Barkleigh Honors recipient. He is best known for his online persona and caterwauling lyrics that speak to our industry. Blake has brought innovation and current outside trends to the grooming industry from Personality Marketing to the FoxEye, a phone holding device for the everyday groomer or aspiring influencer. Blake runs Foxy Roxy's Pet Salon in San Diego, CA, in addition to competing in grooming contests and dog shows all over the country. He is the co-creator and founder of GroomSource, an app made for groomers’ continued education as well as creator and producer of many products with Foxy Roxy's Supply Co. Blake was also a feature groomer in Netflix's "DOGS" documentary and a contestant on ABC's Pooch Perfect Season 1.
Denise Heroux
Denise Heroux owns Awesome Paws Pet Salon, a Cleveland-based chain with two locations and active plans for expansion. Awesome Paws fosters a healthy environment for employees and pets with a focus on employee investment and learning. While managing both locations and a staff of over 20 employees, Denise finds time to work with the Ohio Professional Pet Groomers Association, which she founded. The association focuses on setting a higher standard for pet safety, business-building opportunities, versatile learning experiences, and creating legislative fluidity in the industry. You may have listened to Denise on both the Women PetPreneurs and Small Business Hiring podcasts.
Markie James
Markie James is a NC native, member of Foxy Roxy Pro Team, member of the NDGAA, and graduate of the CVCC Advertising and Graphic Design Program. She has been grooming for over 14 years and owns Bark Side Pet Grooming which has won numerous local awards for excellence and quality. Markie has competed in grooming competitions where she placed Best First Timer, Third Place at APF 2020, Honorable Mention at APF 2021, and Third Place at Safari Palmetto 2022. Recently, she had an article published in Groomer to Groomer Magazine.
Melissa Jepson
Melissa Jepson has owned the award-winning Pupscale Pet Salon in California since 2013. As a founding member of the Association of Holistic Pet Professionals, she believes in creating a soothing environment for all aspects of grooming. She is thrilled to partner with Precision Sharp to offer high-quality products and also enjoys teaching webinars through Pawsitive Educational Training when she isn’t traveling. Nearly two decades of experience and a comprehensive knowledge base have made it possible to impart a fresh take with practical applications to her students which she hopes they’ll use long after the seminar has ended.
Alyssa Kasiba
Alyssa Kasiba is an international award-winning creative groomer. She has almost 15 years grooming experience, and she began competitive grooming in 2016. Over the past years, she has specialized in creative grooming from competing on stage to teach the know hows. In the 2022 season Alyssa won 30+ awards nation wide, was on the cover of Groomer To Groomer magazine twice and ended the year won the Barkleigh Honors Creative Groomer of the Year. You may have seen her featured on Night Line News, Good Morning America, or as a Finalist on ABC's dog grooming competition show, Pooch Perfect. Alyssa has found a passion for teaching the art and creativity of grooming and can't wait to share it, through @Toesnbows on Instagram, private classes, or her favorite classrooms at a Barkleigh show!
Angela Kumpe
Internationally renowned creative stylist and instructor, Angela Kumpe has more placements in creative styling than anyone, worldwide. She won the first ever Barkleigh Honors Award for Creative Competitor. She is the author of A Creative Collection, a step-by-step guide to creative styling. Angela's work has been featured on Animal Planet, TLC, The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, and ABC Nightline as well as in The New York Times and on the cover of Groomer to Groomer magazine. Angela is the owner of Angela's Grooming and Pet Spa in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Melissa Mitchner
Melissa Mitchner is the CEO and founder of The Bark Shoppe, located in Harlem, NY. Melissa has over a decade in business management and expansion. Prior to entering the pet care industry, she worked for one of the largest retail companies in the nation and was responsible for hiring over 6,000 + people. She has 7 years’ experience in owning and managing a profitable salon. Since opening in 2012 she has expanded her services from grooming, to boarding, daycare and self-service facility and has also created private label products for her brand. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow and establish their brands, and is currently a licensed grooming instructor by NY State.
Ashlee Moore
With over a decade of experience in growing successful start-ups, Ashlee knows what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up. Through her work as a Sales and Business Development professional, Ashlee has been an integral part of the success and growth of businesses in the health, wellness, and veterinary space. She has worked with pet care businesses across the country, is passionate about their results, and knows what it takes to stand out in this very competitive field. She holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Penn State and has leveraged her knowledge and expertise to ensure the goals of small business owners are achieved. Outside of work, Ashlee is passionate about animal welfare and volunteers weekly at a local animal shelter.
Chrissy Neumyer Smith
Chrissy Neumyer Smith CPG, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA started Happy Critters in 2000 providing house call grooming and private dog training. As a groomer, behavior consultant, and trainer she understands the unique needs of the grooming setting. She started the Creating Great Grooming Dogs podcast in October of 2018 to help groomers, trainers, Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, owners, and all other dog pros to teach dogs be good for grooming, vet visits, and other types of husbandry.
Mary Oquendo
Mary Oquendo is the Founder of Pawsitive Educational Training; an online membership portal for professional groomers, and Spirited Dog Productions; which offers business consulting to busy pet professionals. Mary is a Certified Master Pet Tech Instructor and takes a holistic approach to handling animals. She holds the titles of Reiki Master and Advanced Crystal Master, and is on the board for the Association Of Holistic Pet Professionals. In addition, she is the Recipient of the 2012 Cardinal Crystal Award For Outstanding Achievement In The Pet Industry. You can listen to Mary on her two podcasts: Women Petpreneurs and The Traveling Groomer. She is also the author of the Mobile Groomers Bible and Holistic Pet Grooming.
Chanel Owens
Chanel Owens is a second-generation groomer who has been in the industry for over 30 years. Chanel’s mother, Donna Owens, was a member of Groom Team USA and her family bred and showed German Wirehaired Pointers. Growing up surrounded by dogs, Chanel developed a passion for grooming and the industry at a very young age. She has been attending trade shows for over 20 years absorbing all the knowledge she possibly could from seminars and relationships with industry icons. Chanel has taught CPR and First Aid Classes in addition to working for both small animal and equine vets that specialized in reproduction and trauma. Chanel founded and invented PawMat, an anti-fatigue mat specifically designed for grooming and pet professionals. In 2017, PawMat won the Barkleigh Honors “New Product of the Year” Award. Chanel has quickly grown her business using social media, and now PawMat has 14,000 followers on Instagram.
Irina Pinkusevich
Irina Pinkusevich, NCMG, has been in the grooming industry for over 20 years and currently teaches the art of pet styling at Merryfield School of Pet Grooming in Ft. Laugerdale, FL. She was a 2011 Barkleigh Honors Awards nominee, is a multiple BIS and Best All Around winner and Best American Groomer 2008 at Intergroom. Irina was a member of GroomTeam USA travel team in 2008 and competed in World Team Championship in Dachau Germany in 2009 where she helped bring back the gold for the U.S.
Macie Pisa
As a second-generation groomer, Macie has been immersed in the dog world her whole life. She has been grooming professionally since 2010. Macie started competing in 2014 and quickly rose to the top, becoming one of the youngest competitors in open division. In 2016 she was nominated for the Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Groomer of the Year Award. She will continue to travel and compete nationally until she achieves her dream of making GroomTeam USA. Macie co-owns the Laundromutt in Kenmore, NY.
Adriane Pope
Adriane Pope is an award-winning Pet stylist in Breed Profile and Creative Grooming. Her specialty is extreme creative styling and creative abstract design. Adriane is owner/groomer of Adriane's Groom and Go Mobile Grooming in Conway, SC., and also the owner of Rivertown Bed and Biscuit Luxury Kennel since 2004. She has 24 years of grooming experience, and has been mobile for 22 years. She started competing in breed profile in 1997 and started the creative world in 2004.
Cheryl Purcell
Cheryl A Purcell, Nationally Certified Master Groomer, was a GroomTeam USA Member from 2002 to 2007. Cheryl retired in 2010 to become the GroomTeam USA Coordinator from 2011-2014, She captained the 2013 Gold World Grooming Champion Travel Team. Cheryl is also a five-time Cardinal Crystal nominee and a Barkleigh Honors Awards nominee. Cheryl and her dog River where the 2014 Kerry Blue Terrier BOB at Westminster. Cheryl is a sought-after lecturer, judge and mentor. Cheryl owns and operates Pooch Paws Pet Grooming with her husband Ron in Hanover, MA.
Jess Rona
Jess Rona is a dog groomer in Los Angeles and is known for her Instagram, @JessRonaGrooming that has over 100k followers and features her signature slo-mo videos. She directed the Tegan and Sara music video for “100x”, had a dog featured in Beck’s “WOW” video, and directed a commercial for the Standard hotel featuring her grooming clients. She’s been featured in O magazine, Marie Claire, Glamour, Elle, and Paper among many others, has been featured on several news programs including the Today Show and Good Morning America, and has had several write ups online. Some of her celebrity clients include: Katy Perry, Andy Garcia, Maria Menudos, and Marnie the Dog.
Victor Rosado
With 26 years of experience in professional grooming and conformation, Victor Rosado is a NCMG with NDGAA, ICMG, and is a certifier with IPG, as well as a Grooming Contest Judge and a Licensed All Breeds Conformation Judge for FCPR/FCI. As a competitive groomer, Victor Rosado is a multiple Best All Around and Best in Show winner, and one of the top groomers on GroomTeam USA. Victor is a member of American Spaniel Club, an AKC Breeder of Merit, and an exhibitor of American Cocker Spaniels for 20 years with multiple Best in Show and Best in Specialty Shows wins. Victor is also an Oster Ambassador in Latin America and owner of Davis Puerto Rico.
Helen Schaefer
Helen Schaefer NCMG CCE, is an internationally award winning, nationally top-ranking competitive groomer with over 15 years of experience. Helen has worked in all facets of the grooming industry, from corporate salons to mobile, even owning her own business that made it to the Top of the Philly Hot List after being open only 20 months. She was the 2020 Barkleigh Honor Recipient for Up and Coming Speaker of the Year, and finished 2021 ranked 3rd in GroomTeam USA points, earning her a spot on the 2021 GroomTeam USA. She lends her personal takes on many industry topics every other Sunday on her popular video blog #GroomerProblems, featured in the Facebook Group “Pet Groomer Town Hall”.
Jay Scruggs
Jay and his wife, Michelle, own Here Comes the Groom, a highly successful mobile grooming salon in Germantown, Tennessee. Jay has won multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer awards and helped Groomteam USA win the Gold medal in Calgary, Canada, in 2001. Jay was named American Groomer of the Year in 2001, Groomer of the Year Award at Westminster Dog Show in 2002, and Grooming Judge of the Year in 2004. In 2003 Jay won an International Gold and Bronze medal in Barcelona, Spain, helping groomteam USA win the silver team medal. He and Sue Zecco offer seminars nationally. Jay won a Barkleigh Honors Award at the event that he emceed.
Kelsey Ann Sexton
Kelsey Ann Sexton is an award winning Nationally Certified Groomer with almost two decades of Professional Pet Grooming experience. She owns an award winning salon outside of Nashville, TN that focuses on customer relationships for routine grooming services. She's also a member of Foxy Roxy Supply Company's Pro Team. Kelsey was nominated for Barkleigh Honors Speaker of the Year in 2022 and has a passion for continued education in the Pet Grooming Industry.
Susan Sholar
Susan has been grooming dogs and cats for over forty years and has taught grooming for fifteen years. Her first love of dogs began very young while on the television set of Rin Tin Tin and then in her teens on the set of Hogan’s Heroes. Like many groomers, Susan turned a “hobby” into her life work. Her career began with showing and grooming her own dogs, progressed to showing and grooming for others as a Certified Professional Handler and, in 1997, Susan turned in her show leash for a judge’s book. She now judges breeds in five groups and has judged grooming competitions. Susan is presently an AKC Delegate for the Black Russian Terrier Club of America, where she holds the office of Recording Secretary and serves as Chairman of the Judges Education Committee.
Nick Sklar
GM of Sales and Operations at Whitman's Sharpening, Nick Sklar was raised at the sharpening wheel. With more than twenty years' experience working with grooming equipment and the people who use it, Nick is an expert in proper equipment selection and care. He has done extensive research with top scissor companies and assisted with product design for several brands including Chris Christensen and Whitman's products.
Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith is the owner of two locations of “Groomed by Adrian’s Pet Salon” in New Orleans and Atlanta. He is known on social media as the “Color King” which landed him a spot on the ABC primetime network show, Pooch Perfect. Grooming for over 8 years, Adrian has over 10 grooming certifications with extensive knowledge on creative grooming. Adrian’s affinity and passion for the well-being and care of animals have truly been the fabric of his life, shaping and guiding his career. A firm believer in “dream-chasing,” Adrian lives by the following mantra: It’s never too late to follow your first love — and succeed!
Corina Stammworthy
Corina stumbled into the dog grooming industry by chance, but has brought fresh eyes and new ideas. She opened The Laundromutt, a self-service dog wash and grooming salon, on the concept that washing your own dog should be easy and fun. She believes that your dog should always be in the most educated hands, and in the cleanest and calmest environment possible. Corina is a college biology instructor and is currently in graduate school for Biotechnology.
Jeremy Stamper
Jeremy Stamper is Business Partner and Director of Marketing for Hydra Professional Line. He is passionate about business management, public relations, marketing and sales with over 15 years’ experience in the service and retail industries. He is also an entrepreneur that has consulted for and launched several businesses and brands. He currently resides in San Diego, CA with his two dogs.
Shannon Tupes
Shannon Tupes is a Certified Master Groomer with National Dog Groomers Association. She has been involved in the pet industry for 28 years and has owned several successful grooming salons throughout the US. She is a currently on the board of GroomTeam USA, a global educator with Andis, and has recently joined the team at Botaniqa. Shannon is a national and international speaker and judge. Shannon is very active in breeding and exhibiting purebred dogs, specifically Bichon Frise’s under the kennel prefix Releve’. She also serves of the Board of Directors of the Bichon Club of America.
Joey Villani
In 1998, Joey purchased the Nash Academy in New Jersey which he owned and operated until 2008. Now a well-known pet industry speaker and judge, Joey has been nominated 14 times for the Cardinal Crystal and Barkleigh Honors awards. He has been enthusiastically involved with Intergroom International for 33 years and has been instrumental in expanding the organization's reach into Belgium, Italy, and France. Joey is one of the original members of the International Judges Association and has made many television appearances. Today, Joey continues to innovate and explore new dimensions in the pet care and grooming industry. In early 2009, Joey became part of the Animal Radio on-air staff where he is known as "The Dogfather".
Suesan Watson
Suesan, CMG, and third-generation pet stylist, began working with dogs over 39 years ago. She owns a mobile grooming business, Best All Around Groomer, serving the Chicago area. She was the winner of the Wahl 2003 Groomer of the Year Award at Westminster Dog Show and the Cardinal Crystal Grooming Achievement Awards for American Groomer of the Year in 2002-2004, and nominated two-time nominee for the Cardinal Grooming Contest Judge of the Year award. Since she began competing in 1995, Sue has received Best in Shows and Best All Around Groomer awards. She has been a member of the 2000 – 2005 Groom Team USA teams and is a representative of the Wahl Clipper Corporation.
Dan Williams
Daniel J. Williams is the managing director of EZ-Groom Pet Products Inc. in Oak Park, Michigan, U.S.A. He holds an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Lawrence Technological University, earned a master’s degree in business administration from Baker College, and has completed the University of Chicago Advanced Leadership program. He has authored numerous articles on cosmetics, and metallurgy as it relates to pet grooming shears. Dan has designed and engineered a number of manufacturing projects at metal-making factories in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Over the past 22 years, Dan has served as president and CEO of three small closely held organizations where he managed a number of mergers and acquisitions. Dan has worked with EZ-Groom since 2002.
Riza Wisnom
Riza Wisnom has been grooming for 37 years. She is an expert in the art of Asian Freestyle grooming and has published three successful instructional manuals: “The Complete Guide to Asian Style Grooming”, “The Art of Asian Freestyle Dog Grooming”, and “Creative Asian Freestyle Grooming”. Her work has been featured in industry publications such as Toilettage magazine in France and Groomer to Groomer magazine in the USA as well as an online interview by the Huffington Post. Also, she was a recent contestant on ABC’s exciting new show “Pooch Perfect”. Riza enjoys traveling to teach her craft and has instructed students in Spain, Portugal, England, and various locations in the USA.
Olga Zabelinskaya
Olga is a Certified Master Groomer and owns two grooming salons, Elite Pet Spa & Boutique in Madison, NJ and Grooming Gallery in Morris Plains, NJ. She has multiple BIS and Best All-Around Groomer wins as well as two prestigious Winners Circle Champion titles. Olga is 2009 and 2010 American Groomer of the Year by Cardinal Pet, and was awarded the Lynne Carver Memorial Award as Best All Around Stylist 2009. Olga was born in Russia where she had a Master Degree in Engineering and finished law school. Olga was a GroomTeam USA member 2008-2012 and won the Silver medal in Belgium, 2011 as a part of the traveling team. Olga co-hosts many pet fundraising events.
Sue Zecco
Sue is a 2011 Barkleigh Honors Award winner. She is a Certified Master Groomer with both the National Dog Groomers Association (NDGAA) and the International Professional Groomers (IPG). She has been grooming for over 30 years. She has won multiple grooming awards, including her biggest show accomplishments: 1998 International Groomer of the Year and 1999 Oster Invitational Tournaments Grand Champion. Sue has been a member of GroomTeam USA since 1997 and broke all records in 1999, earning 113 points. She is also a Wahl Clipper Corporation spokesperson. With Jay Scruggs, she conducts a series of full-day seminars called Super Styling Sessions. Sue breeds Standard Poodles under the “Dreamcatcher” prefix.