> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Daisy Okas
> Date: November 11, 2003 Phone: 212-696-8343
>
>
> AKC CHAIRMAN APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO DEAL WITH
> CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
>
> New York, NY - AKC Chairman Ron Menaker has appointed a committee to
evaluate all areas of possible conflict of interest within the AKC and the
sport. The committee will review conflict provisions now in place and make
recommendations for possible modifications or additions, if deemed
necessary. Its goal is a wide-ranging and thorough study of how, or if,
conflict of interest situations warrant further regulation. Consistency of
policy in all areas is an important criteria.
>
> THE COMMITTEE
>
> David C. Merriam, Chair (AKC Vice Chairman)
> Judi Daniels (Chair of Delegates By-law Committee)
> Dennis B. Sprung (COO, AKC)
> Helen Lee James (All-breed judge from judges' community)
> Jim Smith (Former AKC Chairman, judge and exhibitor)
>
> Secretary: Jim Crowley (AKC Executive Secretary)
> Advisor: Michael Swick (AKC General Counsel)
>
> THE SCOPE
>
> The committee will be charged with a thorough investigation of all
possible conflict of interest situations, to include but not limited to the
following:
>
> 1. Delegate eligibility
> 2. Judge eligibility
> 3. AKC employees in the sport
> 4. Judges, handlers, and exhibitors
> 5. Breeder judges and exhibitors
> 6. Commercial breeders and AKC
> 7. Foreign judges assignments in the USA
> 8. Transfer of ownership between breeders, judges, exhibitors and handlers
> 9. Loans, gifts, and business transactions between judges, handlers and
owners
> 10. Judges and exhibitors serving on the same boards
>
> THE PLAN
>
> The committee will be instructed to draw up a plan and a timetable for its
work. It will be required to make periodic reports to the Chairman on its
progress. A final date for completion should be set.