ALBC Staff

L. Eric Hallman
Executive Director

During Eric’s career he has worn many hats -- senior executive, scientist, educator and civic leader. Eric began his career as a neuroscience researcher and teacher. His curiosity led him to the field of biotechnology, entrepreneurship, and the creation of several biotechnology companies.Eric finds particular satisfaction in giving back to the community. He has served on a number of non-profit boards and has been an elected official in the town of Hillsborough, NC, for the past eight years involved in strategic planning, affordable housing, and transportation issues. Eric is also a jazz musician, a local food enthusiast, a frequent organic gardener, and a rookie beekeeper. Eric's extensive scientific background, combined with his keen business sense, are an ideal match for ALBC's mission and future. Email: ehallman@albc-usa.org

Jeannette Beranger
Research & Technical Program Manager

Jeannette joined the ALBC team in August of 2005. She comes to the organization with over 20 years experience working with animals in the non-profit sector. Beginning her career as a veterinary technician, Jeannette progressed to become a head zookeeper at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island. Her responsibilities included managing a wide variety of species, and in particular the animals within the rare breeds farm of the zoo. Through her work for the American Association of Zookeepers, Inc., she developed international outreach programs that included zookeeper training workshops and the first-ever international conference on zookeeping. Jeannette's experience facilitating research, organizing workshops and conferences, applying technology to improve animal husbandry, combined with her skills in outreach and networking make her a welcome fit to research, plan, develop and implement important breed conservation programs for ALBC. Email: jberanger@albc-usa.org

Michele Brane
Information Manager

Michele joined the ALBC staff in February 2002 to serve as ALBC's Information Manager. She has a background in technical writing, editing, and documentation of medical and accounting software. She is responsible for managing the database and fine-tuning the capacity of this software. Email: mbrane@albc-usa.org

Anneke Jakes
Breed Registry Manager

Anneke has worked for ALBC since July 1992. She served as Office Manager until October 2006, responsible for maintaining the day-to-day operation of the office, welcoming visitors and callers, and responding to requests from members and the public. In her new role as Breed Registry Manager, Anneke serves as ALBC’s liaison to breed associations as well as registrar for several rare breed registries maintained by ALBC. Email: ajakes@albc-usa.org

Jennifer Kendall
Marketing & Communications Director

Jennifer joined ALBC in January 2009 and is currently working as the Marketing and Communications Director. Jennifer has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has a minor in Biology. Her interest in communications and biology has been fulfilled by ALBC's unique mission. Jennifer oversees ALBC's communication, and marketing strategies and assists with ALBC's development efforts. Email: editor@albc-usa.org

Alison Martin
Research & Technical Program Director

Alison recently joined the ALBC team as the new Research and Technical Programs Director, returning to her roots with heritage breeds and small production systems. As a teenager, Martin raised backyard poultry, waterfowl, rabbits and horses.This early experience led to a career of more than 20 years in poultry science, specializing in health and vaccine development. She has led cross functional teams in research, facility design and operations, manufacturing and quality support, and she was a key leader on the world’s first in ovo (in the egg) vaccine for coccidiosis. In her new role at ALBC, Martin’s skills in working collaboratively will apply to building strategic scientific and technical capacity in the conservation programs. Martin has a Ph.D. in Genetics from Virginia Tech, where she specialized in disease resistance in poultry. Email: amartin@albc-usa.org

D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, Ph.D. Technical Advisor

Phil has served as the Technical Advisor for ALBC since 1978. He is employed as a veterinary pathologist and geneticist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg. He has written several books on color genetics and rare breed conservation. He is sought after as a speaker on genetics as well as rare breed conservation. Phil has taken the lead on Spanish horse rescues and is a conservation breeder of Spanish horses, and Tennessee Fainting goats. He works closely with several breed organizations as well as individual breeders of several different breeds. Email: dpsponen@vt.edu

Angelique Thompson
Operations Director

Angelique Thompson joined ALBC in May 2005 and currently serves as ALBC’s Operations Director. Thompson oversees the financial operations of the organization, human resources, information technology and systems development, and meeting organization. Thompson also serves as a liaison to the Board in planning and organizing Board meetings. Thompson works directly with the Executive Director and Board to facilitate long-range planning geared towards operational effectiveness and organizational success. Email: albc@albc-usa.org

Ryan Walker
Membership Services Manager

Ryan recently relocated to North Carolina from Texas. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, and is currently finishing a Master of Science degree in Agriculture & Consumer Resources from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX. Ryan's previous experience has included many service-oriented jobs as a financial aid counselor, personal banker, bank teller, and real estate office assistant. His love for agriculture developed while in grade school, being heavily involved in FFA and working with local farms and ranches in his home town of Aubrey, Texas (a.k.a. “Horse Country USA”). He has raised goats, sheep, cattle, rabbits, geese, and horses. At ALBC, Ryan will be assuming responsibility for serving ALBC's members through renewals reminders, new membership fulfillment, the ALBC News, the E-News, and much more! Email: rwalker@albc-usa.org

Debby Wechsler
Publication Design

Debby has worked with ALBC since 1986 providing expertise in combining text and art in the production of ALBC's publications. She owns and operates Wordsmith Services, providing desktop publishing, writing, and editing skills for various local agricultural organizations including ALBC.

PO Box 477

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Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 USA

Telephone: 919-542-5704

Fax: 919-545-0022