About our Regional Directors

For the purpose of securing broad geographical representation to the Board of Directors, there shall be four Regions. The Regions shall be based upon distribution  of club membership, geographic boundaries and accessibility insofar as is practical and  reasonable. Each Region shall be represented by one regional director whom shall reside in that  region and be a member of the Board of Directors.


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Region 1 (Red): Beverly Conroy

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia 

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Region 2 (Purple): Patty Newgard 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi and Tennessee

  • Past Corresponding Secretary
  • Membership Chair since 2013
  • Moderator for the Club Facebook page
  • Retired Air Traffic Controller
  • Former Treasurer and Membership Chair for The Irish Wolfhound Club of America
  • Served on various dog club committees over the past 20 years such as: Specialty Show Chairman and Secretary, Supervisor of Elections, Rescue and Meet the Breeds
  • Participated in BPCA Meet the Breeds  at the National Dog Show and have been involved with the breed for over 15 years.




Region 3 (Blue): Diane Cocos

Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin


I would love to share a little information about myself. I live in Jefferson,WI with David Cocos, my husband of 37 years. David also has a job in New Jersey and an apartment there. While David travels back to Wisconsin on the weekends, I prefer to live full time in the country. Country life allows for the opportunity to have a few animals including chickens, a cat, lovebirds and a canary. We have two Picards and Sophie-a Spanish Water Dog who is going to whelp her first litter in the next 24 hours. Our Picards are; GCH CH Jasmine de la Vie En Rose BCAT- who is 11 years old and CH Napoleon De La Vie En Rose DCAT who is 7 years old-Napoleon is co-owned with Valerie Black. I have been a member of BPCA since 2014 and I was the Auction Chair at the 2018 BPCA National held at Purina Farms. I was a Co-Chair for the (2020 & 2021) BPCA Nationals held at Hatboro, PA. I enjoy showing my dogs in conformation and competing in Fast Cat. I have started both Picards in Rally-which has been going great—just as long as I keep the treats flowing! I have been retired for two years now, however; I am busier than I was when I worked full time!!

I am a Board Member of Waukesha Kennel Club in Wisconsin and have been Assistant Show Chair of the Waukesha Dog Show for the past 3 years, prior to that I was the Chief Ring Steward. I was newly elected as the President of the Spanish Water Dog Club of America (previously the Vice President) and was the Co-Chair for the Spanish Water Dog National/Designated Specialty this year held at Combined Specialties/Waukesha Kennel Club Shows in Wisconsin.

I was born into the world of purebred dogs. My father, Charles Prager was an all breed dog handler, later a dog Judge. He bred Bedlington Terriers for Center Ridge Kennels. Center Ridge Kennels was located at our home in Milwaukee. WI-my father was involved in breeding and showing a variety of purebred dogs for their owners. He also created and produced Groom Rite Products-a line of dog grooming products which included tack boxes, grooming tables, dog dryers and aluminum crates. Please let me know if you discover a Groom Rite product-I am trying to gather some of the wonderful products my father created in my childhood for grooming purebred dogs!

My goal as Region 3 Director would be to inspire Picard owners to participate in Regional events such as Picardy Parties in order to share time with others who love the breed. I will help coordinate any Picard event you would like to see in Region 3. I would encourage more Picard owners who are involved in Conformation, Fast Cat, Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, Obedience, Rally, Herding or any other dog sport to volunteer in their sport. You will make new friends, learn something new and find more enjoyment of the sport that your dog and you love!

As you are aware, Picards are a magnet when we are in public-we should capitalize on their popularity to encourage more people to consider owning purebred dogs. I would love to inspire a new generation of purebred dog fanciers.


Region 4 (Green): Ailynn Knox-Collins

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

In my life, I've had the fortune to own and  love many different breeds. I didn't show dogs until I got my third Old English Sheepdog about 6 years ago. That's when I also became involved in the breed club. 

The first time I saw a Berger Picard, I was in love. I waited patiently for almost 3 years to get my first -- Marius (GCH Pollux des Montagnes). The western region Picard community was so welcoming that it made showing Picards a lot of fun. And Marius set the bar high for the rest of my pack. He shows beautifully in the ring, but more than that, he loves sports and therapy work. His favorite is FastCat. He's discovered agility and barn hunt. He has such a great temperament and now he's a certified therapy dog and is on his way to becoming a crisis response dog. He loves people and has a real instinct for those in need. 

I am happy to help out on the BPCA board, representing the community out here in the western region as Region 4 director. I want to continue that friendly, Picard-loving culture that's been built out here.  I hope to meet old and new owners, and be a resource for all.