AlpacaGram 12.17 | 2025 Board of Directors Election

2025 AOA Election Announcement

Please help us thank the members of the 2025 Election Committee: Hillary Devin, Shambalah Alpaca Ranch, Chair; Brian Arnold, Okarga Farms; Leslie Rebtoy, Healing Springs Suris; Brandon Sigler, Elderwood Farms; Beth Turner, Triple T Alpaca. Their work and commitment to AOA are greatly appreciated by the Board of Directors, staff, and membership.

The terms expiring this year are Rhonda Deschner, Brian Houchin, and Mary Miller.

The following candidates will be on the ballot for the 2025 Board of Directors:

• Brian Houchin, Houchin Family Alpacas, Illinois
• Scott Shelhart, Shelhart Acre Farms, Indiana
• Derek Smith, Fleecy Friends Alpaca Ranch, Oklahoma
• Tom Blanford, Clayfarm Alpacas, Indiana
• Jay Penica, Walnut Ridge Acres, Pennsylvania

Petition Process Open

Additional candidates may be nominated if at least 35 AOA members with voting rights sign a petition and deliver it to the AOA Executive Director by April 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CDT. Download the 2025 petition form on our website at www.alpacainfo.com/about/election.

Election Schedule

• April 22, 2025 — Nomination by Petition closes at 5:00 p.m. CDT
• May 11, 2025 — Last day to become a paid member to vote in the upcoming election
• May 14, 2025 — Online Voting Opens
• June 4, 2025 — Online Voting Closes
• July 21, 2025 — 2025–26 Board of Directors and new officers introduced at the AOA Annual Meeting

Voting in the Election

To vote in the upcoming election: you must be a paid member (Primary, Business, Corporate), at least 18 years old, and own at least 25% of a live AOA-registered alpaca. If you haven't renewed your membership yet, log in and renew from your member dashboard. As a reminder, individuals, not farms, are AOA members. Spouses or partners must have their own memberships to be eligible to vote in the election.

We encourage everyone to take part in the election process!