The Jim Barker SURI NETWORK
Ambassador Award

The Suri Network Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the winner of the Jim Barker Suri Network Ambassador Award, Sue King of Timber View Alpacas. This award was established in 2013 to recognize a SN member who exemplifies Jim Barker’s commitment to and enthusiasm toward the Suri alpaca industry. Jim Barker passed away suddenly in August 2012. He had a profound impact on the Suri Industry. As past president and board member of the Suri Network, he worked passionately to promote and advance Suri Alpacas in the United States. He was a man who lived life to its fullest and was forever giving with a huge heart and warm smile. Jim lived everyday with tenacity, the pursuit of happiness, a hard work ethic, and a positive attitude. The Ambassador Award is presented to an individual with similar attributes.

Sue has been a Suri Network member since 2011. Her ranch, Big Timber Alpacas, has regularly participated in the S.H.I.P. program, and Sue has been on more committees than we can recall here, both within the Suri Network, and also in the northwest U.S. She served as president of the Board of Trustees and most recently has been a member of the Education and Marketing Committees. Sue is a regular sponsor of many of the events the Suri Network manages, including our annual fleece show, the Symposium, and our online webinars.

Sue's cheerful demeanor at shows and events, coupled with her experience and thoughtful contributions on committees and the Board, made her an easy choice for this year's Jim Barker award. Please congratulate her when you see her out and about.

2023  Award Recipients are Mike and Janet Wilkens

Congratulations to Mike and Janet Wilkins, the well-deserved awardees for 2023! Their dedication and passion for promoting the Suri breed shine through their impressive journey spanning 32 years. Starting with the acquisition of their first alpacas, the Suris, at Tom Hunt’s1991 import in Michigan, their commitment to the breed was evident from the beginning. The choice of Fruzan Noi as their initial purchase, the first black Suri in the US, marked the inception of their journey into becoming renowned for raising exceptional black Suris. In 2023, Mike and Janet Wilkins continue their unwavering commitment, actively making breeding decisions to enhance the Suri breed. Their dedication goes beyond their own herd, as they generously share their extensive knowledge by mentoring and educating breeders nationwide. Their contributions have played a significant role in the development of the US Suri breed. Janet's service on the AOBA board from 1999 to 2002 further demonstrates their commitment to the broader alpaca community, showcasing a willingness to contribute to the industry's governance and growth. Despite considering retirement, the enduring passion of Mike and Janet for the Suri breed and community has prevailed. This commitment is truly commendable and speaks volumes about their love for the industry. Congratulations to Mike and Janet Wilkins for their invaluable contributions to the Suri industry. May their passion continue to inspire and contribute to the ongoing success of the Suri breed.

2022  Award Recipient is Amanda VandenBosch

Amanda Vandenbosch has been a presence in the Suri world for over 20 years. She was the co-author of “The Art and Science of Alpaca Judging” with 3 other judges and was instrumental in helping Suri Network develop the Suri Breed Standard. As a board member of Quechua Benefit, she has supported this organization which is dedicated to helping the children of Peru by often donating her speaking fees. As an active Senior Judge, she has been involved in Judge Training and an advocate for maintaining high standards of dress and behavior in the show ring. Recently she has worked with Dr. Evans and Mazuri, to study nutritional impact on alpacas and their fiber. After developing the Innovative Fleece Assessment program which helps breeders understand the fleece characteristics and combines it with end use of the fiber, she has implemented it with AOA into the show systems. Although she owns both breeds of alpacas, she loves to point out to Huacaya breeders her love of the Suri and its wonderful fiber. Thanks for all you have done Amanda!

2021 Award Recipient is Dale Davis

Dale Davis started in the alpaca industry helping her mom, Jan, over 20 years ago. She has strived to breed alpacas of superior quality fiber and soundness by using multiple tools, including the Suri Network SHIP program. Not only did she participate in the SHIP program at her farm but was instrumental in working with other Northern California Suri breeders to complete the SHIP program for their herds. She enjoys mentoring and sharing her knowledge with new and established Suri breeders. Dale is a tireless and enthusiastic volunteer with a wonderful spirit of fun, competitiveness, and sportsmanship at alpaca shows. She provides extraordinary support to newcomers to the industry and makes unselfish contributions to the Suri Network community , giving freely of her time, energy and skills to the benefit of the Suri Network community. Dale is currently serving as editor of PurelySuri. Plus she is a really good cook!

2020 Award Recipients are Jude Anderson and Alan Cousill. Jude and Alan are no strangers to the North American alpaca world. Jude has served the alpaca industry as an AOA Certified alpaca judge and judge trainer and was one of four authors of the Art and Science of Alpaca Judging. Alan and Jude have been instrumental in advancing the Suri breed on their ranch in Oregon, recently adding embryo transfer to their repertoire. Alan's antics at past  Suri Symposiums left little doubt about their enthusiasm for the Suri  and the industry that surrounds it. Alan and Jude have returned to their home country Australia and will be sorely missed.

2019 Award Recipient is Jill McElderry-Maxwell. Jill has been working with suris since she first fell in love with them in 2005. She has enjoyed owning a breeding farm, competing in the ring and in fleece shows, and now spends her time working with multiple natural fibers as an artist and vendor. Bringing alpaca education to her fellow farmers is also a passion, and Jill is the author of multiple articles that have helped owners keep their animals healthy. Jill spent countless hours as editor of Purely Suri Magazine, is a past board member of the Suri Network, and also served on the board of the Maine Alpaca Association. 

2018 Award Recipient is Tim Sheets. Tim and his wife have been involved in the Suri Network since purchasing their first alpacas in 2003. He has served on multiple committees and as a director and president of the Suri Network Board. Within the alpaca industry he has also served as President and Vice President on the Indiana Alpaca Association Board.  Tim was key in helping to develop the S.H.I.P. program and assists with maintaining the database. Tim has shown remarkable commitment to advancing the Suri breed and the association.

2017 Award Recipient is Patty Hasselbring. The 2017 recipient of the Jim Barker award is a woman who has tirelessly represented the Suri industry at all levels, from welcoming newcomers into the fold with exceptional mentoring skills, to serving Suri owners on the AOA board.  Patty served the Suri Network as President from 2014 to 2016, a consummate professional who helmed the Suri Network through challenging times, leading us with grace and poise. She helped lead the way to a complete overhaul of the Suri Network Breed Standard during her tenure, and began negotiations with AOA for their use of our standard as the AOA standard as well. Patty was elected to and served on the AOA board for 4 years.

The 2016 Award Winner is Linda Kondris.  Linda has served the Suri Network for many years as a committee member working on the Suri Breed Standard, Purely Suri Magazine, and S.H.I.P.  She was elected to the Suri Network Board from 2009 to 2013, and as Board President for 2 of those years. 

Linda's has repeatedly demonstrated her goals to improve and promote the Suri alpaca and the Suri Network.  Linda loves to show alpacas and participates at many alpaca shows. She has provided extraordinary support to newcomers in the industry. Her background in education in her pre-alpaca life has given her many tools to help new breeders (and old) learn about all aspects of alpaca health, conformation, and fiber.

In addition to her work for the Suri Network, Linda has served on the Board for the Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies, and on the Show Rules Committee for AOA.