BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT & DISTRICT 1 REP

I'm Joy Dally of Shepherds Lane of Oregon. I presently serve as President of the VBSS. My husband Martin and I have been raising rare and heritage breeds of sheep for decades and operate a company that imports ovine genetics from around the world and provides AI services and flock consulting called Super Sire. Our love of sheep and our placement in the industry led us to the Valais Blacknose back in 2014 so we put our experience to work in bringing these genetics to our shores and getting a collective breeding program in place. Mentoring is a big part of our lives, and we are always excited to see the growth of new flocks across the country, bringing us closer to our goal of a sustainable breeding population!

VICE PRESIDENT & DISTRICT 3 REP

Our farm, Hesed Farms, was one of the first farms in the US, and the first in Michigan, to have the Valais back in 2018. I was on the original board but stepped down when we took a break from breeding to focus on our family. A dream that started in 2017 was fulfilled this spring with the birth of our first purebred Valais! We have five purebreds, three ewes and two rams. We are beyond thrilled with their personalities and looks! We are looking forward to continuing our breeding program with our purebreds and our breed-up girls.

SECRETARY & DISTRICT 2 REP

I'm Anne Davis, acting Secretary. I was born on a farm in Portland, Oregon and have been involved in agriculture my entire life. I received a B.A. in Crop Science at Oregon State University, then moved to CO for my Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology. While at Colorado State University, I met my wonderful husband, Rob. After 17 years as a plant pathologist working in the laboratory and out in the field with growers, I decided to transition to a full-time wife and mother. In 2020, we had the opportunity to purchase a flock of Scottish Blackface, F1 Valais, F2 Valais sheep, and purebred Valais semen from a family in Idaho. We considered it "The Deluxe Starter Kit" for the Valais Breed-Up program. Please check out www.davisfamilylivestock.com for more information. I've enjoyed meeting people and participating in the Valais Breed Up program. I especially enjoy helping families with young children get started and offering guidance through LAI and ET questions.

DISTRICT 4 REP

Cynthia Bauman is a dedicated Valais Blacknose sheep breeder with experience ranging from F1s to purebreds, actively involved in breeding for five years and livestock farming since 2004. With a background in equine management, Cynthia has held leadership roles, including serving on the boards of OAQHA, OQHA, and AQHA, and has played a key role in organizing the prestigious All-American Quarter Horse Congress for over a decade. As the Chair of the VBSS Show Committee, she is committed to promoting the breed, maintaining adherence to Swiss standards, and creating opportunities for youth engagement within the society. Cynthia's extensive experience in livestock, event organization, and board leadership makes her a valuable advocate for VBSS growth and member enrichment.  

DISTRICT 5 REP

Ed Eisenberg spent several decades working in the Information Technology departments of multinational corporations, including AT&T, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Sanofi, with a focus on project and program management and delivering leadership development training. After retiring in 2017, Ed pursued his passion for people development and became a certified professional coach. In 2022, Ed and his wife, Andie, began raising Valais Blacknose sheep on their 5-acre farm in Tennessee. Starting with four F2 ewe lambs, they successfully expanded their flock, which now includes four F3 ewes and two F4 ewes. As owners of All Saints Valais Blacknose Sheep, they are eagerly preparing for the 2025 lambing season and are excited about the possibility of introducing Domestic Purebreds. Ed’s pragmatic and analytical approach, combined with his dedication to both Valais Blacknose Sheep and the Valais community positions VBSS for continued growth and success. 

TREASURER

I'm Ken Leman. I’ve been treasurer on the VBSS for the last three years. My Wife Nan and I own Wild Rose Farm on Whidbey Island in Washington state. We have been raising sheep for over 40 years. We’ve been in an up-breeding program with Wensleydales and Teeswaters for a dozen years or more. When we were introduced to Valais Blacknose we were smitten. With our experience (also a veterinarian for 42 years) it was not daunting to get involved and we're excited to help bring this breed to North America.

MEMBER AT LARGE

Rob Lyerla brings 25 years of experience as an epidemiologist with the federal government, including five years with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. After retiring as an O-6 from the Public Health Service, Rob moved to 40 acres in southwest Michigan, where he now teaches epidemiology, research methods, and statistics to doctoral students at Western Michigan University. Rob maintains a diverse flock of Gotland, Teeswater, Scottie, and Valais Blacknose Sheep, protected by llamas, with his closest neighbors being 300 sandhill cranes and 3 pair of trumpeter swans. A member of the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society since 2021, Rob has served as the Society's volunteer registrar since December 2023.