Speakers
Debbie Miller
Debbie Miller was originally born and raised in Nebraska, the daughter of cattle rancher. This real world education into livestock and matters of the farm made her uniquely qualified to deal with the alpaca. She has been an alpaca breeder and owner now for 20 years frequently using livestock techniques she learned from her childhood experience. In 2001 she attended the International Alpaca Judging School in Peru for her foundational education on the alpaca. Subsequently her hands on experience and day to day dealings with all things alpaca has formalized her alpaca/livestock know how.In between her time cattle ranching and alpacas she took a job with Valmark Inc., a grocer/clothing store operator on San Juan Island. Starting as a check stand employee she eventually worked her way up to management and then buyer for the company which owned and operated four different store locations. It is her unique combination of experience in livestock and retail which allows her to thrive in the world of alpaca and alpaca retail.
Today she owns and operates Crescent Moon Ranch Alpacas and Alpaca Boutique in the third location Crescent Moon has owned. All three locations with successful store operations each in very different settings.
Lynn Edens
Lynn Edens is the owner of the Little Creek Alpacas and Snowmass Alpacas breeding programs, and co-owner of Imperial Yarn, an all-American yarn and textile production company. In these roles she is one member of a team of capable women whose shared goal is promote the success of the U.S. alpaca industry and its individual participants. Together they run the largest breeding program in the country. They probably also make the largest number of mistakes, and enjoy the largest number of laughs.
Pamela A Ray
Pamela was born on a ranch in South Dakota and graduated from the University of Colorado & Notre Dame Law School. She practiced for 25 years before retiring, specializing in oil and gas and real estate development law. Pamela and her husband, Dale Cantwell, have 2 grown daughters, and since retiring, Dale volunteers full time as the co-executive director of Quechua Benefit.In 1993 Pamela began Xanadu Farm Alpacas just north of Denver & made her first large purchase of alpacas from the 1994 Peruvian import. Since then she’s maintained a production herd of 60 alpacas with a heavy emphasis on the impact of quality females. And, of course, some excellent machos.
Dr. Patti Maness
Dr. Patti Maness graduated Texas A & M in 1981, and practiced in south Texas for 20 years. Dr. Maness' current practice is south of Oklahoma City, and consists of small animal and exotics which includes alpacas. Dr. Maness is licensed in both Texas and Oklahoma. She has owned and shown alpacas since 2006. Her involvement in the alpaca industry brings a unique perspective as both an owner and veterinarian. Dr. Maness has spoken at TXOLAN in past years and will be a featured speaker again this year. She is a life time member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association , as well as a member of the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), National Animal Health Emergency Response Corp (NAHERC), Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).Dr. Maness will be our on-site veterinarian in case her services are needed. Her services will be available on Thursday afternoon and Friday in case of health certificate (CVI) or microchip issues. Re-issuing a health certificate will be $25.00. The ARI certificate and BVD by PCR results (lab and date info) will be required. A Bio-Therm Life microchip can be implanted for $25.00 if needed.
