NAVHDA’s Committees
Over the years, the Executive Council has created and utilized committees to better explore how to improve, develop, and foster NAVHDA. Below are a list of NAVHDA’s current committees, offering a short description and detailing who the members of each committee are.
Judge Development
The Judge Development Committee services all inquiries regarding new applicants to the Apprentice Judge program as well as Senior Judges to guide them through their journey into graduating as NAVHDA Judges and Senior Judges. This Committee also serves to develop recommendations to the Executive Council to better our Judges’ educational programs within NAVHDA.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Bridget Nielsen
Members
- Kim Arnett
- Acting Senior Judge Program
- Mike O’Donnell
- Apprentice Program Manager
- Angie Coenen
- Mentors
- Donnie Ebersole
- Tracy Harmeyer
- TJ McKenzie
- Scott Semrad
- Peter Wade
Test Development
The Aims & Rules and Invitational Committees operate separately, but both work to maintain and improve the testing system for both members and versatile dogs.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Jeff Rhodes
Aims & Rules
The Aims & Rules Committee oversees the updates, clarifications, revisions, and publication of the Aims, Programs, and Test Rules.
- Curtis Fry – Lead
- Rick Holt
Invitational
The Invitational Committee is responsible for planning and managing the Invitational test from start to finish.
Logistics
- Deb Stott – Lead
- Elizabeth Anton
- Kim Arnett
- Angie Coenen
- Waylon Lunn
- Annie Nuss
- Jim Simpson
- Desiree Stormont
Judge Selection
- Curtis Fry – Lead
- Steve Kosmicki
- Jeff Rhodes
Grounds
- Curtis Fry – Lead
- Jeff Rhodes
Host Chapter Support
The following individuals are the current representatives of approved Invitational Host Chapters that are responsible for managing their test grounds and onsite facilities leading up to and during the Invitational test.
Zia – 2026:
- Nicole Webb – Chapter President
- Dalton Turpin
Missouri Uplands – 2027:
- Daniel Mallory – Chapter Vice President
- Keith Lalonde
Youth Program
The Youth Programs Committee are comprised of a group of representatives, assigned to a selection of NAVHDA Chapters based on region. They serve to manage, advise, and support all events and activities related to youth programs. If you’re a chapter officer that is interested in hosting an event to attract and retain youth members, look up your representative HERE and contact them for assistance.
EC Liaison
- Kim Arnett
Chair
- Jason Carter
External Promotions Liason
- William Bastian
Members
- Shae Birkey
- Brad Bischof
- Sara Heesacker
- Waylon Lunn
- Julie Towers
- Ruth Weiss
Registry
The Registry Committee oversees that registry guidelines are being maintained and are responsible for approving new kennel name applications. They also develop and recommend new and amended policies to the Executive Council.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Charles Coulter
Members
- Mindy Brown
- Jason Carter
- Sara Heesacker
- Ron Stott
- Sheryl Tepp
- Don Vanderlip
Registry Appeals
Members
- Jason Carter
- Todd Rockhold
- Ron Stott
- Sheryl Tepp
- Don Vanderlip
Breeder Support
The Breeder Support Committee handles breeder and puppy buyer needs. They also work on creating initiatives to recommend NAVHDA to breed clubs and breeders.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Charles Coulter
Members
- Joe Bozelak
- Mindy Brown
- Misty Klug
- Kat Pippitt
VHD
Members of the VHD Committee regularly write and create content such as articles, columns, and education for NAVHDA’s Versatile Hunting Dog magazine publication.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Erin Kalpin
Members
- Naomi Coates
- Chris Midgette
- Mike Neiduski
- Darryl Pernat
- Marissa Weir
Social Media Editors
The Social Media Editors curate content and maintain NAVHDA’s online presence by creating, scheduling, and optimizing content across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Members
- Cameron Barrien
- Erik Raynes
Promotions
A combination of two Committees dedicated to the development of chapters and promotion of members on both a local level and for the organization as a whole.
EC Liaison
- Jason Rice
External Promotions
The External Promotions Committee is responsible for securing support and financial resources from Partners and other external sources to supplement income generated by Membership. The Committee will be the primary liaison with Conservation Partners and other external organizations to align on mutual goals, collaborate on policies, and increase organizational visibility.
Chair
- Jackie Kuritzky
Members
- Kim Arnett
- William Bastian
- Jeff Vanderbeek
Internal Promotions
The Internal Promotions Committee provides engagement with current and future members by gathering information about their needs and providing support where appropriate. The Committee also encourages the creation of new Chapters in under-served areas and reviews their applications.
Chair
- Pete Aplikowski
Members
- Patti Carter
- Waylon Lunn
Regional Representatives
- David Ellis – Northeast
- Brent Kroll – Great Lakes
- Claude Mueller – Southeast
- Luc Raymond – Canada
Policies & Procedures
The Policies and Procedures Committee was formed to review existing NAVHDA procedures, identify gaps, and recommend needed updates.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Lisa Pehur
Members
- Andrea Spencer
- Carey Killington
- Glenn Basko
Bylaws Review
The Bylaws Review Committee is responsible for reviewing the bylaws and submitting proposed revisions to the Executive Council. The Council will vote to accept or reject each recommendation, and the approved revisions will be presented to the NAVHDA membership for a vote.
Chair
- Marilyn Vetter
Members
- Geoff Ferrer
- Darryl Pernat
- Tonya Sies
- Margaret-Ann Thompson
- Amber Tolzin
Finance
The Finance Committee is responsible for providing oversight and guidance on the organization’s financial health, sustainability, and stewardship of resources. The Committee reviews budgets, financial reports, and key financial policies. They also monitor performance against financial goals and make recommendations that allow the Executive Council to make informed decisions.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Rick Holt
Members
- Kim Arnett
- Melissa Knutson
- Luc Raymond
- Deb Stott
ITSPC
The task of the IT Strategic Planning Committee (ITSPC) is to create strategic plans and provide recommendations of service and management models for future IT developments within NAVHDA.
Chair/EC Liaison
- Luc Raymond
Members
- Mike Bigus
- James Picollo
- Brian Pike
- Josh Smallwood
- Chris Trina