Getting to Know the Candidates for the AKC Board of Directors Class of 2029

Getting to Know the Candidates for the AKC Board of Directors Class of 2029

If you belong to an AKC Member Club, your organization’s AKC Delegate will soon have the opportunity to vote to fill four vacancies on our AKC Board of Directors. What information has your Delegate shared with you regarding each candidate? When they cast their ballot, do they know who your members want to fill those most important positions?

The following Delegates who have either been chosen to run by the Nominating Committee or were endorsed in writing by the required number of fellow Delegates for vacancies on the Board of Directors for the Class of 2029 have taken their time to share their bios for your consideration: Carl C. Ashby, III, Laurie Maulucci, Robin Stansell, and Harvey M. Wooding.

The election will take place in Newark, New Jersey, at the Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates on March 11, 2025.

Carl C. Ashby, III

United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club, Inc.

I am President of Ann Crittenden, Inc. I retired from AT&T as President, AT&T Custom Manufacturing Services, a $200 million business unit of AT&T which I founded. I hold a BS in Electrical Engineering, a master’s in business administration, and a certification in Strategic Planning from MIT.

My wife, Jaimie, and I became involved with purebred dogs in Obedience and then Conformation. We have enjoyed success in Conformation with four homebred Best in Show Kerry Blues and numerous Specialty wins. We continue an active breeding program and owner-handle our class Kerrys at Specialty shows around the country. We currently are expecting a new litter.

My past service as a Delegate to AKC includes:

• Vice Chair and Member – AKC Board of Directors
• AKC Canine Health Foundation Board of Directors and Executive Committee
• Vice Chair of AKC Reunite
• Chair – AKC Political Action Committee
• Founding Member – AKC Detection Dog Task Force
• Member of the All-Breed and Perspective Committees
• Current member of Delegate Advocacy and Advancement Committee

At the Club level, my service includes:

• Member, Treasurer, Cluster and Show Chair – Carolina Cluster and Kennel Club
• Member and past Show Chair – Forsyth Kennel Club
• Founding Member and Treasurer – Carolina Terrier Association
• Life Member, Treasurer, and Kerry Fest Chair – United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club
• Chair – USKBTC Charitable Funds

In addition to my leadership in the dog world, I have served my community:

• Current Chair – Guilford County Animal Advisory Board
• Chair – Leadership Greensboro
• Chair – Other Voices Diversity Initiative
• Chair – Arts Greensboro
• Chair – Arts Greensboro Arts Fund Drive
• Chair – Piedmont Triad Leadership Network
• Chair – National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
• Member – Board of Trustees NC A&T University

Laurie Maulucci

South Windsor Kennel Club

I have served in a wide variety of leadership positions, both in AKC organizations and beyond. These accomplishments have allowed me to develop strong communication and collaboration skills which are key to success as a member of the AKC Board. I am passionate about my involvement with AKC and the many AKC affiliated organizations to which I contribute, truly, on a daily basis.

My background includes:

• Assistant Chair of the AKC All-Breed Clubs Committee and member of the AKC Trial Board Committee
• Served on the AKC Group Realignment Committee and AKC Nominating Committee
• Contributing member of nine AKC clubs. Positions held include Show Chair, Cluster Coordinator, Treasurer, Secretary, Legislative Liaison and Specialty Club Coordinator. I have been the Great Dane Club of America Treasurer, Secretary, Top 20 Chair, and National Specialty Sponsor Chair. As the GDCA Sponsor Chair, I raised $82,000 for the 2017 National Specialty. I was recently elected as the GDCA East Division Chair, a position which includes presiding over our 2025 National Specialty.
• President of the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs, which in 2024 was awarded the AKC Walter Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation. I work closely with AKC Government Relations and the members of the 56 AKC Clubs in CT to monitor proposed legislation in order to protect our right to breed and own the dog of our choice.
• I am one of the six core team members of the AKC-Tufts Canine Whelping Program, which is completing its fifth semester at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. We provide first- and second-year veterinary students with an immersive purebred canine breeding experience through mentorship from AKC breeders. One of my duties is to elevate their understanding of AKC Conformation events and the importance of maintaining our purebred, purpose-bred breeds.
• Co-founder of Jackets for Juniors, providing gently worn ring-appropriate clothing at no cost to Juniors.
• AKC licensed judge since 2007 and chosen by my peers to judge BOB at our National Specialty in 2014.
• Great Dane breeder/exhibitor since 1985.
• Parent Association President, Kingswood-Oxford School. While President I created a coalition that was the first of its kind in Connecticut, uniting private and public school families across the state in the common goal of keeping their underage children substance-free. In 2005, I was awarded a Community Volunteer Award from CASAC (Capital Area Substance Abuse Council) and was appointed a member of its Board of Directors.
• Member of the Board of Trustees, Kingswood-Oxford School. I was the voice of the parent body on the K-O Board of Trustees.

Robin Stansell

French Bulldog Club of America

I will bring to the board a broad perspective of the sport, military leadership experience, and business experience.

My degree and past work experience includes:

• A helicopter pilot (one of the first Apache pilots) who served in Vietnam and Germany
• An Army Warrant Officer
• A BS in Aviation Management
• Managerial duties with Rockwell International, Boeing, and AKC

Additionally, I bring a broad perspective of the sport and its administration to the board. Since 1976 I have exhibited, bred, and been an active club member. I co-founded several clubs such as the Bulldog Club of Colorado Springs and the Bell County Kennel Club in Texas. I’ve served as show chair for nationals, local specialties, and the Shreveport Kennel Club. Even when stationed in Germany, I was an active member of the Bulldog Club of Germany (the only American member) and exhibited my dogs throughout Europe. I began judging in 1990 and am approved for three-plus Groups, BIS, and Juniors. I have had the pleasure of judging in eighteen countries and judging several national specialties.

My wife and I have bred champions in four breeds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies, and Finnish Spitz). We have bred BIS, BISS, MACH, and OTCH dogs. We are still breeding and currently have a litter of Bulldogs, co-bred with a new Bulldogger. We support canine health and utilize screenings as they are developed. For example, we recently organized a BOAS test for Brachycephalic dogs.

I have been active around the world in protecting the sport and our breeds from misguided legislation. We had the opportunity to visit New Zealand to organize the fancy to successfully defeat a ban on Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. Recently, at my suggestion, the Delegate Parent Club Committee formed a Targeted Breed Task Force to educate and bring tools to parent clubs.

The AKC governance and administration is a delicate balance between the board, the delegate body, and the staff. I am uniquely qualified to understand this balance. I was the staff liaison to the Dog Show Rules Committee for approximately a decade. As a former AKC Representative and Vice President of Events, I understand the administration of the rules, regulations, and policies. I understand introducing new concepts. For example, NOHS and Grand Championships were launched when I was VP of Events. As VP I managed AKC’s income, budgeting, operational, and personnel challenges. Because of my familiarity with the sport worldwide, I developed a financially significant income stream with AKC Global Services.

As an active club member, I understand the challenges clubs face. I will review the rules, regulations, and policies to strengthen clubs and give them the tools to succeed. As a breeder, I understand the challenges of fad colors and fad coats. I will look for solutions that will preserve and elevate the historical breed and its attributes without financially impacting AKC’s revenue stream. And as a judge and exhibitor, I will seek excellence in both. As a director, I will be accessible and will listen to your concerns, always looking for a solution to benefit the future of this sport I hold dear.

Harvey M. Wooding

San Mateo Kennel Club

I got my first dog in 1972, giving me 52 years in the sport to develop into a complete dog person. Dogs—their health and welfare; breeding and exhibiting them in order to demonstrate their characteristics and abilities; their promotion through involvement in and management of many clubs and shows—have been my passion outside of family and career throughout my adult life. In every case, as I have become involved in organizations, I have endeavored to make a contribution.

I find myself wanting to expand my contribution to AKC. As the San Mateo Kennel Club Delegate, I am seeking the support of the Nominating Committee which is reviewing the qualifications of those who have decided to run for a spot on the AKC Board. AKC is a highly recognized brand, but not well understood. Our overriding goal must be to solidify it as the undisputed advocate for the dog, and the “go to” authority on all things dog. We have lots to offer, but a long way to go. I think we can push the needle in a positive direction and I am committed to being a driver focused on accomplishing our goals.

Club/Dog activities:

• Queen City Dog Training Club – Member/Trainer
• Michigamme English Setter Club – President
• Livonia KC – Member
• Newtown KC – Cluster Coordinator,
  Show Chairman, Board Member
• Hudson English Setter Club – Member
• English Setter Club of New England – President, Show Chairman
• Ox Ridge KC – Director
• English Setter Association of America – President 10 years, BOD an additional 15 years
• Westminster KC – Vice President, Governor, 1st Agility Chair, Hunt Test Secretary, Delegate
• San Mateo KC – Member, Delegate
• AKC Director 2013-2019
• AKC/CHF Director
• AKC Reunite Chair
• OFA Director (current)
• AKC Delegate – Parent Club Committee
• Owner/Breeder/Handler – English Setters, Irish Setters, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Career Milestones:

• 55-year sales and marketing career – corporate and small business owner
• 3 years – 1LT US Army, Field Artillery

Education:

• BA Economics – Bucknell University
• MBA – Xavier University

CLASS OF 2029 CANDIDATES:

• Carl C. Ashby, III
• Patricia M. Cruz
• Dr. Thomas M. Davies
• Eduardo T. Fugiwara
• Dr. Kenneth H. Levison
• Laurie Maulucci
• Robin Stansell
• Sylvia A. Thomas
• Harvey M. Woodin