Meet our Officers

President: Valerie Black

I have been a member of the BPCA since its inception. Like my irreplaceable predecessor, Betsy Richards, I had no past history in dog clubs, showing dogs, etc prior to falling head over heels in love with this wonderful scruffy breed of dog we all adore. My family has always had dogs, some purebred, some not, but I was never remotely interested in the prospect of belonging to a club or any of the rest of it! However, as many of you know, Betsy was very persuasive and I am so glad she was. She truly twisted my arm over the phone and I will be forever grateful! Because of that my daughter and I took handling classes, have had some success, and have had a wonderful time.

As a PA in my professional life, the health and welfare of this marvelous breed and preserving it while respecting its origins intrigued me. The BPCA was created to protect and preserve the breed as the French intended, which is why we have our Elevage every 4 yrs to make sure we are continuing to do that and participate in our DNA bank for the breed. I have learned an incredible amount in the last 15 years and am so grateful for all the mentors I have now. I enjoy showing my own dogs as much as possible and have participated in herding a bit, some agility and obedience but mostly conformation. With a full-time hospital position, not to mention 3young grandchildren now (thanks to my two oldest of four children ), so far that is what I have time for.

I do breed Picards, am proud to say I am an AKC Breeder of Merit, have all my dogs’ health results public on OFA, and have been so fortunate to add so many lovely folks to my Picard family. I do my best to breed healthy dogs with good temperaments who can make their owners’ lives more complete. I am a believer in AVI-Dog and Puppy Culture socialization techniques and feel that well-socialized puppies become well-balanced adults. As an officer of my local kennel club as well, I continue to learn from others every single day. I am proud to serve on your board, always open to new ideas, and happy to learn from others!

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Vice President: Michael Vanek

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Recording Secretary: Jenny Scifres

My husband John and I live on a small farm in the Piedmont Region in Northeast Georgia along with our three dogs and cat. We sell our farm products at a local Farmers Market that is supported by the Athens Land Trust and John is involved with our County’s Habitat for Humanity Affiliate. I am a retired scientist from the federal government and John works for the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) at the Odum School of Ecology.

While I’ve had dogs all of my life, I’ve never had anything like a Picard. I received my first Berger Picard puppy in June 2020 and was immediately impressed with her personality and drive. I’ve worked with her in conformation, lure coursing, scent work, tracking, barn hunt, and herding. I’m having a fun time working with the my Picards and meeting new friends at events. I’m also a member of the Oconee River Kennel Club.

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Corresponding Secretary: Celestia Lensky

I have been training dogs, exotic birds and coaching/teaching school age children using positive reinforcement for over 33 years. I fell in love with the Berger Picard breed after importing my first eight-week-old Berger Picard puppy boy from France in 2007. With some persuasion from founding president Betsy Richards, joined the BPCA in 2010 to help preserve and protect the breed.

 My dogs have all been involved in herding, conformation, agility, obedience, nose work, barn hunt and dock diving. They have also enjoyed being ambassadors for the breed meeting people all over the USA and Canada both as official participants representing the BPCA as well as unofficial BPCA events and programs at elementary schools and nursing homes with TDI (Therapy Dogs International). Sharing the many talents of these dogs with others in so many different venues and environments has been an amazing journey. I am committed to helping and supporting everyone who has an interest in this wonderful and unique breed and believe that by working together the Berger Picard breed will be able to be maintained and preserved for many generations to come.

During my membership with the BPCA, I have been the Chair of the National Health Committee, Chair of the Judges Selection Committee Chair, Chair of the Nominating Committee, Chair for the National Berger Picard Rehome, Chair of the Newsletter Committee as well as serving on many other committees including the Judges Education Committee, Policy & Constitution/Bylaws Committee, Archives Committee and the Internet Committee. I have also served on the executive board as the Region 1 Director and as the Corresponding Secretary I was privileged to chair the 10^th Anniversary of the Picard being accepted into the AKC Herding Group, the BPCA 2025 National Specialty. I am privileged to serve as a breed and judge’s education presenter and judge’s mentor and was honored to receive the AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award in recognition for my service to the breed, the parent breed club, club members as well as Picard fanciers all over the USA and Canada in 2021. Most importantly however, I am the Permanent Chair of the American Élevage.

I firmly believe that publicly available health and temperament disclosures are of paramount importance when making decisions in breeding. My first import, Berger Picard CH Caspian de Lann Guic CM CGCA HIT TT successfully produced some of the first AKC Berger Picard conformation Grand Champions/Champions and the number one Owner Handled Picard in the US. That line continues producing AKC Grand Champions today. My newest Picard boy, GCH Pierre de la Vie en Rose CGCA FDC DJ DN HT TT TKI BCAT has so far produced record breaking offspring in Fast CAT, record breaking youngest Berger Picard invitee to the prestigious CRUFTS show in England as well as pups engaged in therapy work and being represented throughout the USA, Canada as well as in their country of origin, France!

AKC Delegate & Treasurer: Jacqueline Carswell

For the past 42 years I have had the privilege of sharing my life with Irish Wolfhounds as an exhibitor and breeder under the AKC registered kennel prefix “Carnasserie”. My hounds and I have participated in conformation, obedience and lure coursing. Health testing, having an in depth knowledge of the pedigrees behind the dogs in your breeding program and mentoring others is of great importance to me.

My love for the Berger Picard began in 2008. I reached out to the club for more information about the breed and immediately received a telephone call from Betsy Richards. Anyone involved in the breed knows very well that once captured by Betsy, you never are able to escape! In 2009 she put me to work for the club and soon after, Elior De L'Escale Des Migrateurs joined our family. He left me for the rainbow bridge in March of 2020. Noémie De La Vie En Rose joined me in 2017 and then Simon De La Vie En Rose in April of 2021. They share my life with 13 Irish Wolfhounds, 1 mini wire dachshund and 1 Bassett Hound. I am approved by the AKC to judge Irish Wolfhounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks and currently serve as the AKC Delegate for the Berger Picard Club of America, having served previously as its Treasurer for 5 years. I serve on the show, breed and judges’ education committees, am the chairman of the bylaw and policy committee and the permanent trophy chair for the club.

My previous volunteer work for the Irish Wolfhound club of America included serving as its Treasurer (10 years), VP (1 year) and President (3 years) and several regional clubs serving on the health, judges’ education, finance, judges selection, breed mentor and rescue committees. I currently still serve the IWCA as a breed and judges mentor and rescue volunteer.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your AKC delegate for the past 7 years. My job is to serve the membership and help you with any issues that may arise with registrations, rules, etc. I enjoy representing the Berger Picard and the Parent Club at all AKC delegate meetings and events.