Representatives Committee - 2011

The responsibility of the Representatives Committee is to:

Increase awareness among Jack Russell Terrier owners of the existence of the Jack Russell Club of America.
Help and advise Club members and other interested Jack Russell Terrier owners with any and all matters pertaining to the Club and to the breeding, raising, owning, selling or showing of same.
Assist, when requested, the Complaint Panel and Disciplinary Committee with disciplinary problems among the Representatives by making recommendations to the Board of Directors for appropriate action.
Handle all day-to-day Club business pertaining to the Representatives.

Representatives Committee Members

Shelly Firestone (Reps Committee Chairperson)

My name is Shelly Firestone and I live in Fairbanks Alaska. I have been the JRTCA Alaska State Representative for 8 years and a member for 10 years. I have worked for the Mayor at the Borough (like the county) as a purchasing agent for 19 years. I live with my husband (Jack) and my 4 Jack Russell's, so I guess I live with "5 JACKS". I saw my first Jack in 1997 in Florida at a Polo match and had to have one. I had Labradors Retrievers at the time and I competed in Field Trails, where my husband and I trained and hunted our Labs. It has always been challenging training dogs in Alaska in the winter time. Keeping them exercised is difficult when winter starts in October and sunrise is 10:30 am sunset at 2:00 pm and 55 below is not uncommon.

I enjoy the companionship and thrill of hunting with my Jack Russell's in Alaska, as well as in the mid-west and eastern seaboard country side. My hobbies are: Riding horses, collecting vintage sterling western horse tack, sewing and making crafts. Growing flowers in my yard is my passion. I love to watch how large everything grows with the sun up almost 24 hours in the summer. When winter arrives, the moose come to our garden and snack on what is left from the summer harvest.

My husband and I love to travel to remote villages in Alaska and experience the local customs. We have been fortunate to see many wild animals such as polar bears, grizzlies, herds of caribou and of coarse moose. This summer in our woods we had a red fox take up residence and raise 4 kits. This is life in the land of the midnight sun and northern lights.

Patti Podliska

My name is Patti Podliska, I am the Nebraska State Representative.

I became a member of the JRTCA in 1998. I was born in Norfolk, Nebraska. I have lived in this area all of my life. I married my husband Dana in 1988; we have 3 active children ages two boys and one girl ages Ross 16, Zachary 12 and Sara Sue 10. We live on 12 acres of pasture and trees.

Our children have grown up with the Jack Russell's. Hunting Jacks, upland game birds and fishing. It is our way of life too. We have 7 Jack Russell's right now, we also have a Brittany for the bird hunting, a German Sheppard that is suppose to guard the place, and a Jag terrier rescue that helps the Jacks when needed.

The last week of June we help put on the Mid-America Working Terrier trial. The whole family helps. I couldn't do it with out them nor would I want too.

My family and I are proud to be a member of the JRTCA and we all will work to protect, preserve and work the Jack Russell to keep it true to its breed and the club.

Jerry Waelterman

As JRTCA State Rep. for Missouri since 2001, and a member since 1996, I have tried to help people understand what they are getting into when they own a Jack Russell. Over the years I have been interviewed in both the print and broadcast media, and have participated in many events to help further the knowledge of this very unique breed.

I started off as a city boy, raised in a large suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, but learned from my father at an early age to hunt and respect wildlife by working beagles with him in areas outside St. Louis that were woods and forests in my youth, and are now sprawling communities almost 50 years later. I never caught on to working dogs like my dad until I met my first Jack Russell in 1996. Then I knew I was hooked. Dad?s gone now but I sure wish I could have introduced these wonderful hunters to him, he would have really appreciated them.

Because of our increasing pack, and a more rustic direction to our life, we moved out into the woods, 60 miles West of St. Louis in 2001, and now live with our pack of 8 Jack Russells on 65 beautiful, wooded acres. Retired from a large manufacturing company located in St. Louis as a Computer Engineer, I now do freelance IT consulting and writing and also sell racing, go-to-ground, and digital timing equipment.

Sandie La Vake

My name is Sandie La Vake. Jack Russells and the JRTCA have been a big part of my life for about 18 years. I have been a State Rep in Wisconsin for about 8 of those years. I am a bit shy and don't often start a conversation but when asked about Jack Russells it is hard to get me to shut up. I think educating others about my chosen breed is my favorite thing to do. I often am the go to person when a person has a behavioral issue with their dog and love to hear their success stories after they have implemented some of my advice. I enjoy the art and science of breeding, which I take very seriously. Because I breed I only feel it is right to involve myself in "Rescue", which I have done since the beginning of my involvement. I work with some local egg ranchers to help rid their outbuildings of opossum and raccoon which is fun for the dogs and often is a lot of work for me. I do enjoy the pride and joy that my dogs exhibit as they work.

Other than dogs, I am married to "the music man" who has been known to bring his guitar to shows and fun-days just because. We have four grown daughters and I work as a Research technician for New Page; a specialty paper company.

Marina Sauer

My name is Marina Sauer and I have been involved with Jack Russell Terriers for about 18 years. I joined the JRTCA in 1992 and became a state representative for North Carolina shortly thereafter. I currently live outside the town of Micro, North Carolina(southeast of Raleigh)and enjoy the quiet country life. I am a veterinary technican by trade since 1986 and currently working in the small animal vector and in emergency medicine.

My passions are my my dogs, 6 Jack Russells, 4 Lakeland Terriers, 1 Chow/Lab and a Black/Tan Coonhound. I am also owned by 4 cats. I loved to watch my dogs do their natural thing, hunting, but also enjoyed the fun of going to trials. My goal is always to continue the natural ability of these terriers. I was actively involved in Jack Russell rescue for 13 years and understand that this in not the dog for everyone. I was and sometimes still involved in the behavior issues that revolve around these terriers.