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2026 Suri Network Election |
Welcome to the online information center for the 2026 Suri Network Board of Trustees Election! Here you will find information on each of the candidates running for a seat on the Board of Trustees, as well as an outline of the electronic voting process. Below the Trustee Job Description, you will find this year's Trustee Candidate Statements. More information on how and when to vote will also be emailed directly to each member by Simply Voting, the organization managing our election process.
This year we have 4 candidates running for 2 Suri Network Board of Trustee positions, each with 3 year terms. The 2026 candidates for the Board election are Tommie Smith, Bart Snyder, Jean Van Effen, and Don Wingerter; please see their statements below . Karen Ball, Chris Fredericks, Sue King, Maureen Macedo and Julie Roy will be returning to the Board. Candy McMahan and Laurel Shouvlin are completing their terms and leaving the Board.
Scroll down to view the 2026 Suri Network Board Trustee Candidates' statements. Members will be notified when the electronic vote opens in late June. Links to vote will be included in that email. Votes must be cast within 2 weeks of the start of the vote. Results will be tabulated and announced shortly after the voting period is completed. Please watch for the upcoming election email.
Suri Network Board of Trustees – Trustee Job Description
The Suri Network, is a 501(c)(5) organization, governed by a seven member Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has legal responsibility for all activities of the organization. Responsibilities of Board members include, but are not limited to:
- Understand and make financial decisions for the organization.
- Provide consideration of and decision-making concerning proposed policies and activities.
- Prepare budgets for specific areas of responsibilities.
- Assume coordination of specific projects, which could include:
a. Planning and implementing the annual Suri Network Symposium and Fleece Show
b. Serving as editor for PurelySuri magazine, including solicitation of articles, editing, and layout and recruitment/coordination of advertising volunteers
c. Planning and coordinating fundraising eventsd.Planning and conducting the annual membership drive
e. Ensuring that promotional materials are current and available
f. Maintaining the Suri Network website
g. Planning and coordinating Suri Network educational webinars
h. Preparing Suri Network membership newsletters, news briefs, and email blasts
i. Serving as liaison with the Suri Network Product Development Committee
j. Coordinating and leading Suri Network Rallies at various alpaca shows
k. Ensuring that the Suri Network Members Facebook Group and Suri Network Facebook page are active and up to date
I. Soliciting donations for Suri Network auctions and events
m. Serving as liaison with the Suri Herd Improvement Program committee
n. Serving as liaison with the Branding Committee
o. Managing Suri Network Intellectual Property - Assist in implementation of above stated projects.
- Represent the Suri Network to members and non-members.
The following skills and abilities are desired: - leadership skills
- strong and positive communication skills
- decision making skills
- computer literacy
- social networking
- marketing skills
- ability to relate in a constructive way with a wide variety of people
The estimated time commitment for members of the Board is approximately 15-20 hours per month. In addition, the Board holds regular monthly meetings via conference call. Potential Board members should be aware that there is and will be no financial remuneration for their work on the Board.
2026 Suri Network Board of Trustees Candidates' Statements
The Trustee Candidates were asked the following questions:
- In your opinion what makes the Suri breed unique and marketable?
- What do you feel you bring to the Suri Network Board that would enhance and strengthen the Suri Network's support of Suri breeders?
- If you had one sentence to summarize your potential contribution to the Suri Network, what would it be?
- What would you like the Suri Network to look like in 3 years and how will you help it get there?
- What is one strength of the Suri Network that you feel should be built upon and how can you help do that?
- What is one challenge that the Suri Network faces and how do you believe you can help to address it?
- What skills or experience do you feel you have that could be a benefit to the Suri Network board?
| TOMMIE SMITH My life took a radical turn when I naively purchased three pregnant alpacas in September 2019. Little did I suspect how much I would love these animals. And then crias came! Oh my! But it wasn’t until some time later when visiting a new farm that I saw two full fleece yearling suris running across the pasture toward me and it literally took my breath away. At that moment I knew I was a “suri girl.” I was so fortunate to have lucked into the perfect mentor, which made the learning curve interesting and fun rather than stressful. It wasn’t long before she had me going to shows and, once again, I was hooked. I subsequently acquired another absolutely perfect mentor (yes, an alpaca came with it) and the learning just got deeper and more fascinating. It didn’t take long for me to get on board with the goal of breeding to produce the best possible suri alpacas with the best possible fleece characteristics, with the goal of improving each generation. It has been, and still is, a fascinating journey. I acquired those first alpacas partly as a project to help me wean myself from making documentary films, which I had done for the past 30 years while raising my two daughters, and to step back from the various organizations I’ve worked with and supported in various volunteer capacities throughout my life. It turned out to be an easy win. The Covid pandemic, though tragic in so many ways, forced me to slow down and disconnect in mostly good ways. And there were my alpacas to fill that space. What would I bring to the Suri Network board? I have served in various leadership capacities on organizations’ boards over the years, including during times of major transitions and changes. As a member since 1992 of New Day Films, a national distribution co-op of over 300 members, I served twice as Steering Committee Chair and twice in other capacities as well as leading various working teams. I was a founding member of the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival and served on the selection committee and as special events producer for that organization’s first 10 years. I had leadership roles in the Sonoma County Master Gardeners’ Food Specialist Group presenting information to the public on a range of topics. I’m currently finishing my second year on the Calpaca Board of Directors. I understand about collaborating when appropriate as well as leading when needed. I’ve benefited and have been enriched by several alpaca organizations in more recent years, especially Suri Network, and I recognize the responsibility to give back in some way. Without dedicated volunteers, these programs would not be possible. I have appreciated the thoughtfulness and utility of Suri Network’s projects and the quality of the resulting products. I am a registered user of Suri Simply Stunning, I’ve widely shared the beautiful videos demonstrating uses for suri fiber, and I plan to have my first S.H.I.P. evaluation next Spring. I participate each year in the Suri Network Fleece Show and Spin Off. I reference the Suri Breed Standard when making decisions for my own program and when talking with potential customers. I look forward to contributing to important future projects like these. One area I would like to see improved is a broader recognition and appreciation of the suri breed. Although I don’t have an agritourism business, I do have occasional visitors, often who have never met a live alpaca before. They are almost always surprised that my suris aren’t the alpacas they expected to see and are completely unaware that there are two breeds. Even many fiber artists are unfamiliar with suris. I make sure that by the time they leave they have had their hands in a bag of the most exquisite fiber they have ever felt and they know that they’ve met some truly special animals. I think we can do a better job of promoting the suri alpaca, what sets it apart and makes it special, without diminishing its uniqueness. I just saw a report from the “I Love Alpacas” project in today’s email outlining the successes with their advertising campaign. I have to admire their enthusiasm. Suri Network has done an admirable job creating value for its members. Perhaps it’s time to “take it to the streets” to create a broader awareness of our exquisite suri fiber. Cashmere had some serious promotional success, why not Suri next? And its scarcity makes it that much more valuable. |
| BART SNYDER My name is Bart Snyder, and I would like the opportunity to serve as a member of the Suri Network Board of Trustees. I would truly appreciate your vote. Seven years ago, my family and I joined the alpaca community with the purchase of our first five Suri alpacas and the creation of Rainbow Road Alpacas in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Since that time, we have enjoyed learning about and becoming more involved with the alpaca industry. We began participating in the show circuit, fiber production, agri-tourism activities, and sharing our alpacas with our local community. This past year, we expanded our herd by partnering with Linda Kondris of Pines Edge Suri Alpacas. We are working together to continue a legacy of excellence within the alpaca industry. On our farm, we strive to incorporate research-driven, evidence-based practices into the management and care of our alpacas. Toward that end, I am proud that our farm has developed a strong relationship with Oklahoma State University Veterinary School by providing educational opportunities regarding camelids for OSU vet students and professors. Working with our local Alpacas of Oklahoma (AOK) association, I helped to create and contribute to a grant/scholarship program for OSU students that promotes camelid education through the Oklahoma State University veterinary medicine program. I have also worked with other members of AOK to bring experts in the field of camelid medicine and nutrition to Oklahoma State to provide workshops for local alpaca owners, veterinary students and faculty members. Currently, I am a member of numerous alpaca associations, including the Alpaca Owners Association, Alpacas of Oklahoma, GWAS, MOPACA, TXOLAN and the Suri Network. I have recently served on the AOA Election Nominating Committee, and I am presently serving on the Alpacas of Oklahoma board. I will be finishing my term on the MOPACA board in December 2026. I believe I would bring a unique perspective to the Suri Network Board. Some of the strengths I developed during my 43 years in the emergency response and the safety industry are leadership, team management, organizational skills, strategic planning, fundraising with Fire & Life Safety Council, being a liaison between the company I worked for and our local hospital as a Hospital Board of Trustee member. Over the years, I have been able to work with multiple groups to accomplish mutual goals - sometimes during intense and stressful situations. I would look forward to collaborating with and learning from current Suri Network board members in hopes of continuing the growth of the alpaca industry. |
.jpg) | JEAN VAN EFFEN What draws people to Suri alpacas is their rarity and striking beauty. There is nothing quite like watching a full-fleeced Suri run through a field on a sunny day, its fleece flowing and shining with brilliant luster. On our ranch, which is home to both Suri and Huacaya alpacas, visitors are consistently amazed by the silky softness and luster of Suri alpacas — even after shearing. The end products speak for themselves, and this combination of visual appeal and exceptional fiber quality makes the Suri breed truly unique and highly marketable. As owner of Tahoma Vista Fiber Mill and a SGC Master Sorter, Classer, and Grader, I bring extensive, practical hands-on experience with Suri fiber to the Suri Network Board. I work with a lot of Suri fleeces every year, and I am deeply committed to advancing fiber education for our members. By focusing on proper fiber growth, preparation, and processing, we can help breeders produce premium-quality end products and maximize profitability. I also support strengthening collaboration with judges and refining show standards to reward fleeces that are both exceptional in quality and easy to process economically. I actively educate people on alpaca fiber, including teaching Preparing Fiber for Processing, Hand Spinning, Weaving and Knitting. I have presented seminars to AAWW, CABA, PNAA, AOA, The Olympia Weavers Guild, and the Anchorage Weavers Guild. Tahoma Vista Fiber Mill was awarded Judges Choice for 100% Suri yarn in the Fingering Weight category, and four first-place ribbons in the Suri Network ’s Battle of the Mills competition. In one sentence, my potential contribution to the Suri Network is this: I offer practical, real-world knowledge of fiber processing and end-product development, along with a proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups toward common goals — experience gained from 29 years of service in the U.S. Army, two terms on the AAWW Board of Directors, and ongoing volunteer work with events such as AlpacaPalooza, the CABA Classic, and the PNAA IFA fleece show. Looking ahead, I would like to see every AOA member who owns Suris become a member of the Suri Network. To achieve this, we should actively reach out to Suri owners at shows and through targeted emails, while introducing options such as non-voting associate memberships at a lower cost or introductory discounts for first-time members. The Suri Network ’s greatest strength is its clear breed standard and the highly successful SHIP program. With more SHIP judges now available, we can expand participation and continue building on this foundation through powerful testimonials and hands-on experiences that help breeders see their animals more objectively. I recently participated in SHIP with both my Suris and Huacayas and found it extremely valuable. One of our primary challenges is maintaining current members while attracting new ones. I believe offering introductory and associate membership options at accessible price points will help address this issue and grow our community. With over 30 years owning Huacaya alpacas and ten years with Suris, plus full involvement in every stage of fiber production — from shearing to finished products — I am well-positioned to support the Suri Network. My expertise as an SGC Master Sorter and mill owner gives me unique insight into what it takes to turn outstanding fiber into exceptional end products. |
| DON WINGERTER Hello. My name is Don Wingerter and I am running for a position on the Suri Network Board. My home and farm is located in southern Illinois where I have lived my entire life. My passion for livestock began at a young age and has continued throughout my life. Over the years, I have raised a variety of animals, including cattle, hogs, horses, rabbits, pigeons, and, most recently, alpacas. My journey with alpacas began in 2003 when I started with ten breeding females and one “token” male. While researching alpacas, I initially considered Huacayas, but everything changed when I saw my first Suri at the Nationals Show in Louisville, Kentucky. From that moment on, I knew Suris were the breed for me. My agricultural background includes fulfilling a lifelong dream of building and operating a commercial meat rabbitry. After purchasing property and constructing the necessary facilities, I successfully managed a herd of more than 5,000 rabbits at any given time. I operated the business for eight years before the demands of my professional career required me to step away from the venture. Since entering the alpaca industry, I have grown and managed a herd of more than 120 alpacas and currently own over 80. I remain actively involved in the AOA Show System and am fortunate to share this passion with my wife, Lyn, who is an active partner in our alpaca operation. Professionally, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and spent the majority of my career in corporate leadership and management. Most recently, I served as a Director of Operations for a global company with more than 60,000 employees. In that role, I managed major corporate accounts, led large teams, and traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally. After retiring in January of this year, I have dedicated my full attention to raising and promoting the animals I have come to admire and enjoy so much. I am seeking a position on the Suri Network Board because I believe my combination of livestock experience, business leadership, and long-term involvement in the alpaca industry can be a valuable asset to the organization. Having witnessed both the successes and challenges facing our industry over the years, I recognize the importance of preserving our strengths while addressing opportunities for improvement. I believe fresh perspectives, open dialogue, and collaborative leadership are essential for continued growth, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my time, energy, and experience to support the future of the Suri Network and its members. |
