I have been a member of the National Cockatiel Society for 16 years, since the spring of 1991 when my family got its first pet cockatiel, “Buttercup”.  It wasn’t long before one bird turned into dozens and my interest evolved into a passionate and fulfilling hobby. 

In 1993, I attended my premier cockatiel show and what an eye-opening experience that was!  I soon realized that if I was going to raise cockatiels that I was going to breed the best quality birds that I could possibly breed, whether for pets or for exhibition.

Wanting to become more involved in NCS, I became co-State Coordinator of New Jersey in 1995.  In 1999, my work to promote NCS was rewarded with the State Coordinator of the Year Award.  That year I had set up several educational displays at local bird club meetings and bird fairs.  I visited middle schools and gave basic care and genetics lessons to science classes.  In 2002 I gained status as a member of the NCS Judges Panel where I am able to continue teaching novice and advanced exhibitors alike about cockatiel standards and genetics. Cockatiel exhibitions are a great avenue for passing on my knowledge and experiences and I look forwarding to meeting new people (both pet and breeders alike) as they become enthralled in the hobby.

Currently I serve as President and Chairman of the Board for the NCS.  I previously worked as NCS Points Registrar and served on various committees includes developing the National Specialty Show, the Hall of Fame Program, and revising the NCS exhibition classifications to encompass to the newer mutations.   

I have specialized in Lutino mutations since 2001, culminating years of work with two honors that I hold in very high regard - being the breeder and exhibitor of the premier Hall of Fame and Supreme Hall of Fame Cockatiel with a Lutino Pearl Pied hen, “Sunburst”, and winning the prestigious “Higgins” Trophy for Best Cockatiel Bred and Banded by the Exhibitor, at the 2005 National Cage Bird Show in Dallas, Texas, with a Lutino Pied cock.

In addition to NCS, I am a member of several national and local organizations including Society of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors, American Federation of Aviculture, International Parrotlet Society, and Raleigh-Durham Caged Bird Society.   In 1999, I co-founded the Mid-Atlantic Cockatiel Breeders and Exhibitors (MACBE), a group focused on helping local bird clubs host and organize cockatiel exhibitions.   To date, MACBE has hosted 22 exhibitions in six different states.  I am presently the Chairman of the Board of MACBE.

I hope you enjoy the following collection of memories captured over the years at various NCS events!

Past NCS President and Panel Judge Julia Allen and myself
Manchester, NH 2003


 
NCS Panel Judge Annette Howard and myself
Montgomery, AL 2006


NCS Panel Judge and current NCS 1st VP Philip Feret and myself
Dallas, TX, 2005

NCS Panel Judge and current Points Registrar Sabrina Hull and myself
Apex, NC, 2004


NCS 3rd VP Wendy LaBanca and myself
Warwick, RI, 2005


NCS Panel Judge Lee Horton and myself
Virginia Beach, VA 2007