Ruth P. Elvestad

Ruth has over 30 years’ experience in a broad Canadian base of agriculture, business, government and academic sectors.  She has extensive teaching, curriculum and program development expertise, and has been involved in international trade, import/export of livestock, and international fibre research.

Ruth manages the Natural Fibre Testing Laboratory at Olds College, Canada; is a qualified fibre testing technician; a Certified Camelid Fibre Classer; a Certified AOBA Judge; a volunteer with the  Canadian Camelid Fibre Co-op; a founding member of the Canadian AgriFibre Network; a Wool Judge; a Suri Llama Keuring Inspector, and teaches Fibre Workshops extensively throughout North America and overseas.  Ruth and her husband, Rod, own R&R Alpacas at Olds, Alberta.

Jenny Jackson

Australia
Jenny Jackson has been an accredited Alpaca Judge by the Australian Alpaca Association since 1995 and is a graduate of the International Alpaca Judging School in Peru. She has certificates in wool, mohair, cashmere and alpaca classing.

Since accreditation Jenny has judged at all the major shows throughout Australia including the 2000 and 2002 National Show. Jenny has judged internationally in New Zealand, England and Canada.

When not out on the Show circuit Jenny manages an alpaca herd of over 600 animals with the help of her Veterinarian husband George and their 16 year old daughter Sophie. Jenny is greatly interested in the use of sound breeding practice combined with objective measurement to improve the fibre quality of the Australian alpaca. They are currently involved in the world’s largest embryo transfer program in alpacas. She also manages the Alpaca Information Centre, which provides workshops on animal selection and fibre assessment. Banksia Park Alpaca Stud bred the 2005 Australian National Supreme Champion Alpaca, which subsequently sold for an Australian Auction record price.

Jenny also breeds stock & quarter horses and competes at the uniquely Australian sport of camp drafting. Prior to alpaca farming Jenny was a registered nurse and midwife.

Babs Manion

United States of America
Bio to come.

TBA

Wade Gease

United States of America
Wade Gease is an AOBA certified alpaca judge, judge trainer, presenter and consultant.  Wade has judged and presented throughout the United States and Canada.   Wade is also a certified Camelid Fibre Sorter from Olds College Natural Fibre Centre, Canada.  Presently he serves on the board for the Great Lakes Alpaca Association and V.P. of AFCNA, Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America. He has been co-owner of LondonDairy Alpacas and Alpaca Threads gift store since 1997.  Wade has been honored to be so involved with many different activities in the alpaca world: speaking for educational events, consulting for auctions, evaluating for private alpaca breeders and organizing private trips to Peru. 

Wade has worked to produce several blends of Alpaca and Bamboo fabrics. This has led to developments into the fashion industry and has become a broker of bamboo and other mediums for blending with alpaca. Wade has recently created a new felting machine for home/farm use to empower ranches to make on the farm products.

In his past he has been a certified flight instructor, chemistry instructor, co-owner of a retail gift store and has worked for pharmaceutical companies. Wade has earned an Associate’s Degree in Aeronautical Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a Masters Degree in Biochemistry.Wade likes to bring a personal teaching perspective to his judging because of his past passion of showing and professional educating. As a judge, Wade enjoys giving breeders informative feedback through his halter class oral reasons and all other educational engagements.