Officer(s) Election - Meet the Candidates 2025-2027

2025-2027 Officer(s) Election

NW Region NSTRA - 2025-2027 Officer

Election President, Vice President and Treasurer - 2-year term for these 3-year positions.

*Note: Secretary position opens in 2026

NW Regional May 2025 is where the three positions will be voted.

Candidates for Officer Positions 2-Year Term 2025-2027

President Candidate - Mike Ouchida

Hello, I'm currently the President of the NW Region of NSTRA and would like your vote to continue rebuilding the region. As you may know, our region suffered a grave financial loss due to the lack of responsibility of some on our board. It is my goal to rebuild trust in our region's leadership, increase our treasury and to keep controversy out of our trials, keeping them fun and welcoming, especially to new members.

I believe we currently have a great board and have rebuilt our treasury beyond expectations. I will strive to promote well-run trials and regionals without controversy. My record as a long-time active member started in the late 80's and should show my commitment to NSTRA. My first placement was in 1987. I was elected region President in the 90's and then secretary for many terms. I have judged numerous local, regional and two national trials and have competed at the national level numerous times. While I have cut back on entering National events, I still travel to neighboring regions, building good relations and returning the favor of their trialing in the NW region. I made the bid to have the only National trial held locally at the Fuller Ranch near Kennewick, WA. in 2007. Dogs and NSTRA have been my passion for many years; the friendships made lasting a lifetime. If elected I will serve the NW members first and foremost to the very best of my ability.

President Candidate - Nelson Banuelos

Nelson Banuelos - Member of NW NSTRA for 5 years and am currently Vice President of our (NW) region. Original membership NSTRA, I have only been a member of the NW Region.

I have put on several trial(s), judging in numerous regions, handling dogs, mentoring and attending events of other regions while representing the NW Region. I have experience in National Trials and also attending National Meetings.

Owning a business since 2005, I feel I can contribute to our NW Region by bringing in new members, finding new trial grounds, representing at National Events and partnering with neighboring regions in supporting national events in our region.

It is important for me to work collaboratively with our Officers, Board Members and Members.

If you have any questions and/or concerns, I would love to talk. Please feel free to give me a call or if you prefer to text @ 562-712-0980

Vice President Candidate -
Laura Ann McMahon

Laura McMahon - I bring to you the what's up in emails, website and newsletters as the NW Secretary for the past 5 years. While I love capturing the events, sending you updates and information on what is happening I am running for Vice-President. I believe I would be suited well in working with the National Office, attending national events, working hard to bring new trials to the NW and continue bringing information to our members.

I have judged the last three years here in the NW, Montana, Arizona, Northern California and Southern California.

I value communication, open-discussions and decision making with all Officers, Board Members and NW Region Members with follow-through and transparency.

Of note: If elected as Vice-President, Lisa Gloss-Lessmann has agreed to fulfill the Secretary position until the next election.

Vice President Candidate - Rob Proctor

Hello members of the Northwest. I am Rob Proctor and I’m throwing hat in the ring for the position of Vice President for our Region. I have been with NWNSTRA for about 17 years now.

We all know the issues facing NSTRA and our Region: membership, rules clarification, trial grounds, member and dog development to name a few. I would like to bring my experience and training from 33 years in the fire service to the leadership team for our region to assist in developing strategies to addressing these issues and others as they arise. Like you, I want to see our organization continue to grow in our Region as well as Nationally.

If you have any questions for me, please catch me at a trial or give me a call.

Treasurer Candidate - L. Paul Schneider

L. Paul Schneider has provided us with the last 2-years of financial monitoring, fund management and providing numerous financial reports. He graciously agreed to give us with another 2-year term.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Duties of President:  Preside at all meetings of the Association. Appoint committees as needed. Insure a smooth transition to the new president. Schedule judging clinics. Chair the Regional Elimination Trial. Establish field trial schedule dates and submit to the National Office. Provide national office with a list of NW Regional placements dogs and High-Point dogs for the Dog of the year (DOY) Trial. Shall be a signatory on the bank account. Shall have electronic access to the bank account.

Duties of the Vice President:  The vice president assumes the duties of the president in their absence. Responsible for new club and trial development. Perform special duties as assigned by the president. Insures a smooth transition to the new vice president. Shall be a signatory on the bank account.

Duties of the Secretary:   Keep the minutes of all meetings. Issue correspondence. Maintain a NW Regional Membership Roster, which includes the address, telephone number, and email address. Assume the duties of the president in the absence of the president and vice president. Maintain the web page for the region. Maintain necessary and appropriate files of the current information as well as the historical reference. Receive and validate all recognized field trial placements or to be maintained by delegated individual and forward said validated placements to the NW Region President. Insure a smooth transition to the new secretary.

Duties of Treasurer:   Receive and deposit funds of the NW Region, giving receipt thereof Keep an itemized record of all receipts and expenditures. Report on financial matters at NW Regional Meetings. Submit records to an audit committee as required. Insure a smooth transition to the new treasurer. Keep a list of the operating requirements of the region. (Insurance, non-profit designation, birds, trial ground, trophies, belt buckles) Shall be a signatory on the bank account. Shall have electronic access to the bank account.

General The new officers shall act as an audit committee to the previous officers. The officers shall manage the NW Regional Elimination Field Trial. The NW officers and NW Board of Directors shall receive and decide on grievances.

DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Assist the officers in the operation and management of the association. Attend board meetings as required. Receive and decide on grievances, with the officers. The board of directors shall consist of the current officers, the immediate past president, and two at-large members appointed by the current president. ELECTIONS Officer terms shall have 2-year terms that are stagged. Treasurer is elected in the odd year of the other elected officials. The President appoints the region directors. The Officers appoint an election committee. Methods of election will be determined by the election committee and board of directors, to include electronic, paper ballot, or in person voting. The election committee shall provide information on the open officer positions and intended candidates 1 month prior to the NW Regional Elimination competition.

Results of the election shall be announced at the member meeting during the NW Regional Elimination competition.