JUDGES
Diana Timmerman
Diana was born in Germany and moved to Colorado when she was eight years of age and has remained in Colorado. After training and working as a Paralegal in both Corporate and Criminal law Diana and her husband, Tim, started Aussie Acres Alpacas in 1994. Alpacas became Diana's full-time business and she has never looked back at the corporate world. At the present time Diana and her husband, Tim, maintain a small herd of Huacaya alpacas, specializing in exceptional genetics and seedstock.
In 2001, Diana received her certification as an AOA Certified Halter, Performance and Fleece judge for Huacayas and Suris. In 2004, she traveled to Peru to further her education by training with the International Alpaca Judging School and received her IAJS Judging Certification. Diana has over 14 years of experience in breeding and showing alpacas, along with over 25 years of experience raising other breeds of livestock. Her love for alpacas and her commitment to fleece education was the inspiration that led to the purchase of "The Alpaca Breeders Fiber School, LLC (ABFS.) Diana does find time to spend with her husband, Tim, her son Jeff and his fiance, Jenessa. Diana served on the Advisory Board for the Mid-American Alpaca Foundation, on the Board of Directors of The Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies, is a facutly member and owner of Alpaca Breeders Fiber School, LLC and past leader of the Leading Llamas and Alpacas 4-H Club. She is a member of AOA, ABR, IAJS Advisory Council and the Suri Network.
Wade Gease
Wade Gease has been an AOBA Certified Alpaca Judge for the past six years and has judged shows throughout the United States and Canada. He is one of the few alpaca judge trainers in both halter & fleece. Wade received his Camelid Fibre Sorter Certification from Olds College Natural Fibre Centre. Presently he serves as President for the Great Lakes Alpaca Association. He is co-owner of LondonDairy Alpacas which is home to over 80 Huacaya & Suri alpacas. Wade has been very active in the alpaca world which includes speaking for educational events, consulting for auctions, evaluating for private alpacas breeders and organizing private trips to Peru.
Wade has worked to produce one of the nations’ first blends of Alpaca & Bamboo fabrics. This has led to developments into the fashion industry with producing finished garments.
In his past he has been a certified flight instructor, chemistry instructor, co-owner of a retail gift store and has worked for pharmaceutical companies. Wade has earned an Associate’s Degree in Aeronautical Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry & a Masters Degree in Biochemistry.
Wade likes to bring a personal teaching perspective to his judging because of his past passion of showing and professional educating. As a judge, Wade enjoys giving breeders informative feedback through his halter class oral reasons.
Jan Hamby
A fiber producer and knitwear designer, Jan Hamby has been involved in fiber arts for almost 50 years. She knits, spins, creates fiber art, and designs at Fair Winds Farm, the small farm she and her husband Dale own in southern Lancaster County, PA. Here they raise alpaca, sheep, garlic and lavender. Her extensive experience with a variety of fibers combined with personal research into fiber characteristics makes her a valuable source of information for other fiber artists. She volunteers her time in support of PAOBA and other alpaca farms in her area and produces a highly regarded fiber arts podcast called "TwinSet Designs" with her twin sister Ellen Silva.
Jan has received formal training in alpaca fiber grading and sorting. A discerning judge, she reserves the highest point values for only the most extraordinary specimens. Although new to AOA Handcrafters Spin Off judging in 2013, she has broad judging experience in a variety of settings ranging from engineering to fiber arts and has a reputation for consistent and fair judging methods.
In a former life, Jan served for over 32 years in the U.S. Navy with tours of duty at sea, overseas and in several combat zones including
Baghdad, Iraq. She is originally from Medina, Ohio.
2015 Spin off Judge
2015 Halter Show and Cottage Fleece
2015 Halter Show
