10 Questions
New York City
The American Kennel Club’s President and CEO
Aquarius
1. Do you have any dog-show superstitions?
No dog show superstitions.
2. TV-show guilty pleasure?
Wrestling.
3. If you were president of AKC for one day, what would you do?
Exactly what I am doing.
4. Most valued material possession?
The registration paper for Ch. Shirkhan of Grandeur given to me by Sunny Shay.
5. What is something no one would guess about you?
I was a special education teacher.
6. Who would you compare yourself to?
A mensch.
7. What are you “famous” for?
Being accessible to our core constituents 24/7 no matter what.
8. What website do you visit most often?
9. What was more memorable, your most satisfying win or disappointing defeat? And what was it?
Two answers: In the ring, most satisfying was the very first blue ribbon, and Babbie Tongren was the judge. The other most memorable win outside the ring was being at Ground Zero within 48 hours of the attack on behalf of the American Kennel Club. The purpose was to donate a portable X-ray machine along with many cartons of supplies to assist search-and-rescue dogs hurt in the rubble. That morning’s experience inspired me to create DOGNY, which Karen LeFrak and Ron Menaker co-chaired. Thanks to the Board, many individuals, clubs within our sport and those in the business community, we raised $3.5 million in six months for the heroic dog/handler rescue organizations. At Ground Zero, about a dozen police-escort vehicles surrounded the car I was in as we exited the sealed-off area. At that point there were thousands of people waving flags and cheering us, but I knew it was really the great AKC they were cheering. Very emotional moments.
10. What do you wish someone would ask you?
To write a book.