Stephanie Glyptis

Biography

After graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in animal science, Stephanie Glyptis jumped into alpacas in 2000 as the herd manager for Heart's Desire Farm, the largest huacaya herd in West Virginia. This herd of nearly 300 kept her very busy halter training, delivering crias, and managing the daily needs of the alpacas. A very active participant in the show ring, she was finally able to merge her background in dairy cattle judging with alpacas in 2006 when she became an AOA Certified Judge. Since then, she has judged all over the United States and Canada. Being certified in all aspects of judging fleece, halter, and performance has become the perfect fit for many shows that only need one judge. Stephanie, her husband Phillip, and their children Teddy and Abigail live in Weirton, West Virginia just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Stephanie runs Glyptis Manor Alpacas and in addition to judging provides education and herd evaluations for alpacas.

Diana Timmerman

Biography

Diana is an AOA Halter, Senior Fleece Judge, Judge Trainer, and Instructor in the United States. Diana received her Certification as an International Alpaca Judge trained in Peru at the International Alpaca Judging School (IAJS) in 2004. She has actively judged in Canada and the United States since 2001. Diana has over 35 years of experience breeding, showing, and raising alpacas and other breeds of livestock. Along with her husband, Tim, they established Aussie Acres Alpacas in 1994. They became known for their ability to successfully produce grey and sought-after Huacaya breeding stock. Both Diana and Tim were honored to share those grey genetics worldwide. Diana’s love for alpacas and her commitment to fleece education was the inspiration that led to the purchase of The Alpaca Breeders Fiber School, LLC. Diana also serves as an alpaca industry consultant, educator, Fiber Sorter, Grader and, continues working on her Wool Classer status and is always available for consultations. Diana currently serves on the AOA Judges Advisory Committee (JAC), AOA Judge Training and Certification Committee (JTCC) as Liaison and served on the Advisory Board for the Mid-America Alpaca Foundation, the Board of Directors of Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies and past leader of the Leading Llamas and Alpacas 4-H Club. Diana was born in Germany. At eight years of age, she moved to Colorado with her parents. She earned an Associate Degree in Occupational Studies with an emphasis on Medical Billing and Coding and maintains her Paralegal and Medical Billing and Coding certifications. Prior to acquiring alpacas Diana was employed as a Paralegal for the Weld County District Attorney. She has one son, Jeff, and grandson, Alden Ray. Ken Hibbits Biography Victoria and Ken Hibbits own and operate Alpacas By The Sea, Inc. in Montara, California. They have both worked in the alpaca industry for over 16 years. Alpacas By The Sea has been raising alpacas since 1992. They managed a herd of up 100 alpacas and have presented educational seminars for their clients that provide an excellent informational foundation for success in the alpaca business. Ken is an AOA Halter Judge. Victoria Hibbits was an ARI Phenotypic screener and they have traveled together in Peru learning advanced husbandry directly from breeders on the altiplano. They have also studied and shared breeding techniques and alpaca screening criteria with some of the worlds leading experts. They have enjoyed raising alpacas in Northern California and take great pleasure in sharing the rewards of alpacas with others. Alpacas By the Sea is located just 25 minutes south of San Francisco on scenic Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean.  Robin Nasemann Biography Robin Nasemann was born in Germany. He attended school in England and has a masters degree in economics from the University of Lugano, Switzerland. His family started breeding alpacas in 2003 and now has a herd of 70 alpacas in the west of Germany. Since 2006, Robin is a certified Screener for the AZVD (Alpaca Breeders Association of Germany) and has screened alpacas all over Europe and South America. For several years he was a member of the board in the biggest alpaca association in mainland Europe. In 2010, he began the AOBA judging training program which he finished as certified AOA Judge for Halter and Performance in 2013. He has judged alpaca shows in France and Canada, and gives frequent seminars about alpacas across Europe. Jacob Hart Biography Native to Central Ohio, Jacob has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2009, when he followed his parents into the industry at the age of 12. He first acquired his own alpacas as a way for his parents to teach him about finances and investments. It was at this time that he founded Rakhel Farms, which later became Rakhel Farms LLC. Jacob attended Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness in 2018 with the intention to apply his education to the alpaca industry. In 2019, Jacob entered the Alpaca Owners Association Judge Training Program and became a certified halter judge in 2022. He has volunteered at numerous AOA Certified alpaca shows and served on the AOA Show Revitalization Task Force in 2020.