AlpacaGram 12.21 | Meet the AOA Board Candidates

Meet the AOA Board Candidates

We’re excited to introduce the candidates for the upcoming AOA Board election!

Serving a three-year term on a national board is no small decision, and we’re grateful to each candidate for their willingness to lead and serve. Now it’s your turn to get involved.

Join us for a live webinar to meet the candidates, hear their perspectives, and ask your questions. This is your opportunity to get to know the individuals who will help shape the future of AOA.

Candidate Q&A Webinar

Thursday, April 24, 2025

8:00 p.m. Eastern
7:00 p.m. Central
6:00 p.m. Mountain
5:00 p.m. Pacific

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the meeting details. Be sure to save the information to your calendar.

This call will be recorded and available in the archive if you are unable to attend.

2025 AOA Board Candidates

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

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

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!