Guide Dog Users, Inc. elects officers and directors at its annual business meeting. This meeting takes place during the national convention and is open to all interested persons. Only current GDUI members in good standing can vote or run for office.
GDUI Officers serve two-year terms. The offices of President, First Vice President and Second Vice President are limited to two consecutive terms. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer have no term limits but the positions are open for election every two years. This structure assures continuity in GDUI's record keeping.
Members of the Board of Directors serve three-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. These terms have been staggered so that each year, two board positions are open for election.
GDUI has two ex oficio positions open on the Board of Directors. These are non-voting, yet vital positions to the Board's operation. The Affiliate Liaison is appointed by the President to represent the general concerns of the affiliate chapters. The Editor of PAWTRACKS is appointed by the President every two years but has no term limits. The Editor represents and is responsible to the readers of PAWTRACKS and advises the board on its administration and production.
To encourage diversity and equal representation from its vast membership ranks, GDUI limits geographic location of board members. Currently, there may only be two officers from each state and one director from each state.
Any GDUI member in good standing may run for office. The President appoints a Nominating Committee each year. Announcements are made in PAWTRACKS and on our various email lists. We encourage you to visit our GDUI News pages for news of the nominating Committee and available board and officer positions.
President: Sheila Styron
Electronic Mail: sheilastyron@everestkc.net
Sheila Styron has served as GDUI's Second Vice President and Affiliate Liaison, assisting the organization with membership business and communications. She has also served as President of Guide Dog Users Of California, serves on Recording For The Blind and Dyslexic's national board and is also a member of KCET public television's Community Advisory Board in Los Angeles. Sheila along with female Black Labrador Guide Dog Dorian resides inKansas City, Missouri with her husband, Bill Stephan and his guide dog. She is a vocalist and composer, she produces and performs children's music, jingles, soundtracks, theme and pop songs including one specially written for Dorian.
First Vice President: Elizabeth (Becky) Barnes
Electronic Mail: beckyb@cloud9.net
Second Vice President: Donna Permar
Electronic Mail: Perma001@mc.duke.edu
Secretary: nancy Trzcinski
Electronic Mail: baxman@adelphia.net
Nancy is a familiar face to many who have attended our national conventions. She has facilitated panels and assisted in the GDUI Suite. She is active in her home state of Massachusetts in blindness and guide dog related issues. nancy is partnered with Baxter, a Yellow Labrador.
Treasurer: Jane Sheehan
Electronic Mail: jcsheehan@comcast.net
Jane Sheehan is a native of Maryland and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Salisbury State College. She has been employed for over 25 years by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. as a program analyst. Her current job, with the Academic Affiliations Office, entails tracking over 7,000 accredited medical residency programs. Jane has served as GDUI Treasurer since 1990 and took on the job of Office Manager, becoming the voice of the organization for thousands of people around the world. Although her work with GDUI and her job with the V.A. leave little time for hobbies, Jane enjoys reading, listening to music, attending folk music concerts, and horseback riding. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband Patrick and her current guide dog, Xenon, a yellow labrador retriever, trained by The Seeing Eye as well as her retired guide, Waffle, a Flat-Coated retriever.
Immediate Past President: Deborah C. Grubb
Electronic Mail: debbiecg@verizon.net
Deborah Grubb, originally from Maryland, now resides in Bradenton, florida with her husband and family dogs. Her guide dog is a female Golden Retriever named magic, trained by Southeastern Guide Dogs. Deborah has a long career of community and national service as an advocate for people with visual impairments. her work as a writer and editor can be seen throughout various publications of the American Council of the Blind.She and Magic have traveled extensively throughout the United States speaking on pedestrian safety and voting access rights.
Audrey Gunter
Electronic Mail: Retired51837@msn.com
Jennifer Holliday
Electronic Mail: Jennifer.holladay@insightbb.com
Rebecca Kragnes
Electronic Mail: rebeccak@tcq.net
Jeff Lukacsena
Electronic Mail: jlukacsena@comcast.net
Kae Madera
Electronic Mail: Lady-potter@comcast.net
Penny Reeder
Electronic Mail: preeder@concentric.net
Affiliate Liaison: Kay Malmquist
Electronic Mail: kay.malmquist@gmail.com
PAWTRACKS Editor: Jenine Stanley
Electronic Mail: jeninems@wowway.com
1-866-799-8436
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