MS . MINNA-LIISA KOLTES of Ennice , North Carolina . Ms . Minna-Liisa Koltes is a second-generation fancier who exhibited her first dog at 6 years old in her hometown of Tampere , Finland .
She began her adult career as a breeder-exhibitor of German Shepherd Dogs and is today an active AKC breeder of both Norwich and Norfolk Terriers . Her German Shepherd Dogs have participated in conformation , obedience , herding , tracking , and therapy work .
Minna-Liisa has been judging for the AKC since 2002 , including Best in Show , the Herding Group , allbreed Junior Showmanship , eight Terrier Breeds and several Working Breeds . She has judged in nearly every U . S . state , including Alaska , many European countries , Japan , and China .
She is a past president and a board member for Fort Lauderdale Dog Club and the GSD club of Fort Lauderdale , and she served for many years on the board of Salisbury Kennel Club . She is a member of the Norwich Terrier , Norfolk Terrier , and Dogo Argentino Clubs of America .
MRS . PAMELA S . LAMBIE of Phoenix , Arizona . Mrs . Pamela S . Lambie ’ s love of dogs began at an early age when her parents acquired their first purebred Mastiff with the commitment to show the dog to its ’ AKC Championship , thereby introducing her to the sport of AKC Conformation .
In 1978 , Pam and her husband Bob raised their first Mastiff puppy from her parent ’ s litter , who at four years succeeded to become the top Mastiff bitch in the US for two consecutive years . A long-time reputable breeder and Professional Handler for over 30 years , Pam has bred , owned , and handled All-Breed , Specialty Best in Show winners and nationally ranked dogs in the Hound , Working , and Sporting Groups .
Pam has served on the Ethics Committee of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States and is on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Rhodesian Ridgeback Club . Additionally , she supports local , All-Breed events in Arizona where she resides . Pursuing her continued passion for conformation , Pam pivoted her professional handling career to judging . She is AKC licensed to judge Best in Show , the Sporting Group , Hound Group , and the majority of the Working Group .
MRS . ELAINE J . LESSIG of Clinton , New Jersey . Mrs . Elaine Lessig did not realize how much her life would change when she acquired her first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in 1987 . She has since produced AKC champions in all four colors and both sexes . Additionally , a Cavalier she bred was the Number One Cavalier for both 2021 and 2022 .
In 1999 , Elaine was the first Cavalier breeder to attain AKC judging status strictly from her breed . She is approved to judge Best in Show , the Sporting Group , the Toy Group , the Non-Sporting Group , and Standard Manchester Terriers . She has judged her breed at the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club National Specialty and nationals of many other breeds . Elaine also serves as show chairman for the Delaware Water Gap Kennel Club . She looks forward to enjoying the dogs competing this year at the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show .
MR . JOAO MACHADO of Humble , Texas . Originally from Brazil , Mr . Joao Machado is currently living in Houston , TX . He has been involved with purebred dogs for almost three decades , as a breeder , exhibitor , club officer and judge . His relationship with purebred dogs started in the 1990s , when he got a German Shepherd Dog puppy from his father . Since then , he has been involved with many other breeds , but today is a dedicated preservation breeder of the Chihuahua breed .
Throughout his years living in US , he has been an active dog person , holding positions such as president of Houston Chihuahua Club , Vice President of the Toy Club of Greater Houston , AKC Delegate , and Judge Chair for the Chihuahua Club of America . Recognized as a Toy breed specialist , Joao became an FCI Judge ( 2009 ) and AKC Judge for the Toy Group , Poodles , and Manchester Terriers ( 2023 ). As a judge and exhibitor Joao has attended shows in Austria , Brazil , France , Germany , Italy , Australia , Ukraine , Sweden , Japan , Canada , and in more than 20 states .
MR . NEIL T . MCDEVITT of Beavercreek , Ohio . Mr . Neil McDevitt met his first Rhodesian Ridgeback as a 7-year-old in 1966 , when his parents acquired the first as a family companion . After graduating from The Ohio State University , he purchased his first show dog , attended his first national specialty , and joined The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States , all in 1984 . Neil has been actively involved with the Dayton Kennel Club over the past 38 years serving as an Officer and Board Member , as well as chairing the club ’ s all-breed show for 20 consecutive years .
Neil obtained AKC judging status for Ridgebacks in 2010 and is now approved to judge the Hound Group , 21 Sporting breeds , Boxers , Dobermans , Siberian Husky , Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs ,
Dalmatians , and Best in Show . continued
30 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2024