GRETCHEN MEIENBURG, CKO

Gretchen Meienburg is the owner of Pampered Pets Bed & Biscuit with locations in Ohio and Indiana.  Both locations are accredited by Pet Care Services Association, with the Indiana location being the first Gold Accredited Daycare facility.  Gretchen has a degree in Biology and Veterinary Technology.  As an active member of PCSA since 2002, she was elected to the Board of Directors in 2006.  Gretchen is currently the Vice-CGO to the Board and serves as the Ethics Committee Chair and the Facility Accreditation Committee Chair.  In 2008 the Ethics Committee developed the Standards & Practice Document.  Gretchen?s goal is to promote high standard of care for all pets staying in PCSA facilities and to help PCSA grow to become the Premier leader in pet care services.  She resides in Ohio with her husband, three children, one dog and four cats.  In her free time she enjoys training for Triathlons.

Rick is a registered architect with 30 years experience in the design and construction industry.  He received his architecture degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA, and founded Bacon Group, Inc. in 1991.  The Clearwater-based firm provides architecture, planning and interior design with about 80% of its design work done for the animal care professional.  Services provided include design for new or renovated animal boarding, daycare and training facilities, veterinary hospitals, and animal care and control and humane shelter facilities.  Since 1995, Rick has designed or consulted on over 90 animal housing projects in 24 states.

Robin Bennett is the co-owner of All About Dogs, the largest dog training company in Virginia. Since beginning her company in 1993 she has grown from a sole proprietorship to a Corporation that boasts fourteen instructors teaching private lessons as well as numerous group classes and behavior modification lessons for shy, fearful and aggressive dogs. Robin has an excellent working relationship with local veterinarians as well as the Prince William Animal Control Bureau. She is regularly recommended by both groups to evaluate potentially dangerous dogs. Robin successfully owned and operated her own dog daycare for many years. Her book All about Dog Daycare: A Blueprint for Success is the number one reference on owning a daycare, and Robin is a highly sought-after speaker on numerous dog daycare and playgroup topics around the country. She is an active member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and has a BA degree from Roanoke College. Robin regularly attends dog training seminars, has earned Level 1 certification through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the first national certification for dog trainers. Robin is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and is married with two children.

Susan is co-owner of Urban Tails, LLC, a dog daycare and full service pet facility in Houston, TX. With her partners Frances Armstrong and Crista Meyer they opened Urban Tails in December 2000 offering the first cage-free sleepovers for large dogs in Houston. A mission to provide services focused on the health and safety of pets in their care turned to an early passion to promote dog daycare safety. As active members of PCSA, the trade association for pet service providers, Susan pursued including dog daycare facilities as association members. In 2003 she accepted the position of Dog Daycare Chair and worked with a committee of daycare owners from across the country to develop the first facility and operating standards for the dog daycare industry. These standards were published in 2007 as a part of the PCSA?s Voluntary Facility Accreditation (VFA) program. In 2007 Susan was elected to the PCSA board of directors and currently serves as Region 8 director representing members in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. She also serves on the PCSA VFA committee providing expertise on dog daycare services. Susan and her partners have presented seminars on dog daycare services at PCSA regional and national conventions. After repeated requests to offer training for others they started Urban Tails Academy, offering pet professional training and consulting services. Their courses focus on hands-on technical experience in dog daycare and pet facilities operations. Susan has a Masters of Accountancy from Truman University in her home state of Missouri. She has converted to a Texan and lives in Houston with partner Bill Kamps; three dogs, Hallie, Hank and Sheppy; and Sydney her twenty year old feline.

Al Locker is President of Turnkey, Inc., a family owned and operated, third-generation construction company celebrating over 47 years in business. Turnkey, Inc., designs and builds both residential and commercial projects, including remodeling, new design/build ?ground up? projects, high-rise condominiums and even exhibits at the Houston Zoo. In 1991, when Al?s wife Suzanne bought a kennel, Al began researching, designing and building pet care facilities. Al and Suzanne built their current 106-run kennel in 1996 and continue to operate it today. Since that time, he has designed 30 and built 12 new kennels, a veterinary hospital, a dog daycare facilities and remodeled existing kennels. He also consults owners about new construction or how to update their current facility with the latest materials and equipment.

As a Vice President in Wells Fargo Bank?s Small Business Administration Lending division, James concentrates on generating small business loans to owner-operated businesses and start up franchises throughout the United States. He has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry and specializes in SBA lending.

James holds a degree in Finance and received a Masters in Business Administration. An active community member James is involved with local business associations, community college business seminar instruction, and is on the board of a local charitable organization.