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Officers
Tina Jones, President
My love for the Rhodesian Ridgeback began in 2004 after attending a local BARRC Conformation fun day. Our first RR Ad-Jamu, won Best Opposite in BARRC's fun match and I was hooked! During the fun day, many breeders and members complimented Ad-Jamu and encouraged me to show in in a local AKC dog show. This was the beginning of 16 years of loving, showing, breeding, and raising RRs. My kennel name was established from my lifetime (40 years) career with the Department of Justice, thus "JusticeRidge."
I became a member of BARRC in 2005 and I soon became involved in many aspects of the club. I have been fortunte to have many RR breeders, owners and club members share their knowledge and experiences about this unique breed. During my years with BARRC, I have had the honor of serving as Recording Secretary, Director, First VP and now President in 2021. I am also a member of our Parent Club, RRCUS. I have enjoyed being involved with this amazing breed and I look forward to spending many more years with RRs in my life and being a part of an awesome extended RR family.
I became a member of BARRC in 2005 and I soon became involved in many aspects of the club. I have been fortunte to have many RR breeders, owners and club members share their knowledge and experiences about this unique breed. During my years with BARRC, I have had the honor of serving as Recording Secretary, Director, First VP and now President in 2021. I am also a member of our Parent Club, RRCUS. I have enjoyed being involved with this amazing breed and I look forward to spending many more years with RRs in my life and being a part of an awesome extended RR family.
Berklee Akutagawa, 1st VP
I got my first Ridgeback in 2013 and I've added two more since then! It's true - you can't have just one! My husband Brandon and I have been BARRC members since 2015. I work in forensics and I enjoy showing dogs, running, hiking, glamping, making dog collars and bags; and way too many other types of crafting.
Rebecca McMilton, 2nd VP
I’m a second generation AKC breeder/owner/handler. I grew up attending AKC conformation shows, and began showing my childhood breed, Basenjis, at six years old. I was introduced to Ridgebacks while working for professional handlers in Northern California as a teen. I showed my first Ridgeback in Junior Showmanship in 2005, thanks to Nancy Faville and Charles Storke.
My love for Ridgebacks began with my juniors dog, “Duet.” Duet had one litter in 2009. I was fortunate to acquire a puppy, my first love, Sake Bomb. He was my soul mate, his companionship and loyalty filled every void in my soul. Life without him still feels incomplete. Sushi, Lausanne, Penny, and Cupcake, came shortly after Sake Bomb.
Bunny, CH. Pupukearidge Surf Bunny, joined our family in the Spring of 2021. Thank you, Tom & Barb Peach (Pupukearidge), and Pam Lambie for our sweet, funny, intelligent and loyal girl. Bunny is my daughters’ best friend, and my constant shadow. We’re looking forward to Bunny having puppies, to continue the Pupukearidge breeding program. I remember falling asleep in the whelping box as a child, cuddling puppies all night long. I can’t wait to see my own daughter have that experience, too.
I live with my husband, Rory, and daughter, Mallory, in Tracy, CA. Mallory loves showing in Pee Wee’s at AKC events, and she’s eager to start showing in Junior Showmanship. If she has a passion for showing breeding, she will be a third generation breeder/owner/handler. I exclusively show Ridgebacks professionally. I maintain a small client base that allows me more time to spoil and bond with my clients’ dogs. Each dog that’s stays with me, ends up sleeping in my bed, or in Mallory’s. I can sum up my philosophy regarding my professional handling business by quoting Pat Trotter: “Not every pet is a show dog, but every show dog is a pet.”
Bunny, CH. Pupukearidge Surf Bunny, joined our family in the Spring of 2021. Thank you, Tom & Barb Peach (Pupukearidge), and Pam Lambie for our sweet, funny, intelligent and loyal girl. Bunny is my daughters’ best friend, and my constant shadow. We’re looking forward to Bunny having puppies, to continue the Pupukearidge breeding program. I remember falling asleep in the whelping box as a child, cuddling puppies all night long. I can’t wait to see my own daughter have that experience, too.
I live with my husband, Rory, and daughter, Mallory, in Tracy, CA. Mallory loves showing in Pee Wee’s at AKC events, and she’s eager to start showing in Junior Showmanship. If she has a passion for showing breeding, she will be a third generation breeder/owner/handler. I exclusively show Ridgebacks professionally. I maintain a small client base that allows me more time to spoil and bond with my clients’ dogs. Each dog that’s stays with me, ends up sleeping in my bed, or in Mallory’s. I can sum up my philosophy regarding my professional handling business by quoting Pat Trotter: “Not every pet is a show dog, but every show dog is a pet.”
Chelsea Lyons, Treasurer
I may be new to Rhodesian Ridgebacks and BARRC, but I have been raising, breeding and showing dogs, goats and horses for over 30 years. I am a full-time bookkeeper and mom of 2 newly grown kiddos that now have time to pursue my own endeavors. I purchased my first RR in 2021 and have not looked back since. I was so welcomed by the club and its members that it was an easy choice to volunteer on the board.
Rosemary Simpson, Corresponding Secretary
I am married to my wonderful husband Tom, and have 2 sons. My youngest son David, lives in Oregon. My other son Michael, and his wife Thrista gave me my first grandaughter 3 years ago!
To Be Determined, Recording Secretary
Clayton Heathcock, Director
I purchased my first Ridgeback from Ralph and Shirley Batson, Deer Ridge Rhodesian Ridgebacks, in 1988. Through them and other Bay Area Ridgeback owners I became involved with the breed and became an active exhibitor and breeder. My kennel prefix is Camelot and in the 35 years since I bought Deer Ridge Morganna from Ralph and Shirley there have been 90 Camelot AKC champions, of which three were National Specialty winners and six have had all-breed Bests in Show. I have been President of RRCUS and served as Show Chair for the RRCUS and BARRC specialties.
In my personal life I was a professor and Dean of the College of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. I retired in 2008 but still provide consultation to attorneys on medicinal chemistry patent litigation. I live in Martinez and although I am no longer breeding, I still have three Ridgebacks.
In my personal life I was a professor and Dean of the College of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. I retired in 2008 but still provide consultation to attorneys on medicinal chemistry patent litigation. I live in Martinez and although I am no longer breeding, I still have three Ridgebacks.
Sheli Cordova-Alford, Director
“Koda” CH Kuwinda’s Brother Bear, was my first Rhodesian Ridgeback, that I got in 2005 from a breeder in Washington, Joe Piott. Before he committed to selling us a puppy he had the breeder of the sire do a home check to make sure we were worthy. So, Clayton Heathcock who lived 2 houses away came over and luckily gave his approval. I showed and finished Koda and found the process to be really fun. I grew up showing horses, so showing dogs was a natural transition.
I have been a Mortgage Broker since 1989. My husband Scott and I are empty nesters. In 2021 our oldest daughter graduated from college and got a job working for Oracle in Santa Monica and our youngest daughter graduated from high school and goes to UCSB, so this seemed like a good time to have our first litter. We kept one of the puppies, so our count is currently at 3… Uncle Leo, Mama Galli and Baby Brando all share our home with us on 4 acres in Martinez.
I have been a Mortgage Broker since 1989. My husband Scott and I are empty nesters. In 2021 our oldest daughter graduated from college and got a job working for Oracle in Santa Monica and our youngest daughter graduated from high school and goes to UCSB, so this seemed like a good time to have our first litter. We kept one of the puppies, so our count is currently at 3… Uncle Leo, Mama Galli and Baby Brando all share our home with us on 4 acres in Martinez.
Barbara Peach, Director
Growing up in a large family of animal lovers, dogs have been an important part of my life. When I started my own family we owned Toy Poodles and Golden Retrievers. After becoming widowed I married my current husband, Tom and moved to Hawaii. My new life included 2 beautiful Rhodesian Ridgebacks and I quickly fell in love with the breed. I have been a member of RRCUS, BARRC, The Hawaiian Kennel Club and The Hawaii Hound Club. Tom and I have taken on the responsibility of breeding 14 litters and have shown and finished multiple Champions. Most notably Ikaika, MBIS MBISS GCG Pupukearidge Ikaika O Springvalley ROM CGC TDI. Ikaika was #1 RR All Systems for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was Number 6 Hound in 2007, Number 3 Hound in 2008 and is the top breed point winning RR of all time with a record 3,212 breed points in 2008. He has 13 All Breed Best in Shows and 13 Best in Regional Specialty wins. Over the past 20 years I have committed myself to learning and improving the breeding of our beloved dogs. I’m truly honored to joining the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Rhodesian Club.