"...when the last individual
of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another
Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Alison Martin
Research & Technical Program Director
Alison joined the ALBC team in 2011 to serve as the 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. Martin’s skills in working collaboratively has helped her form a 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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Ryan Walker
Marketing & Communications Manager
Ryan relocated to North Carolina from Texas in 2011. 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. Ryan’s focus at ALBC is marketing and communications, and serves as editor for the ALBC News, E-News, Rare Breeds, Breeders and Products Directory, and much more! Email: [email protected]
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.