As published in the Retriever News issue April 2024. New Retriever News Subscription Structure
an announcement from our owners: national open and national amateur retriever clubs
An Announcement from the National Retriever Club and the National Amateur Retriever Club
September 11, 2022
As joint owners of Retriever Field Trial News, Inc., it is with great regret that we announce that the National Retriever Club and National Amateur Retriever Club have accepted the resignations of both President & Editor-in-Chief John Stracka and Managing Editor & Vice President Tina Styan. In conjunction with that news, Retriever News recently finalized the reconstitution of the Retriever News Board members and appointed new board members. We would also like to thank all of the prior Board members: Dennis Bath, Vice President, John Russell, Secretary/Treasurer, Grayson Kelley and Chris Hatch and express our appreciation for their years of service.
We are proud to announce the list of our sports people that have volunteered their time to work on the Board, especially the new officers. The newly appointed Board consists of: Retriever News Officers Jim Rickoff, President and Editor-in-Chief Paul Hanson, Vice President Bubba Joiner, Secretary/Treasurer Tommy Parrish, Co-Manager ESMC, LLC (EE) Retriever News Board Members Steve Bireley Alvin Hatcher Mark Medford Kirk Naisbitt Randy Spangler Jeff Talley This is the beginning of a very difficult transitional process, but we understand their sentiments.
John wants to spend more time with his family and dogs. Tina is retiring and wishes to enjoy her new exciting adventure overseas.
Since coming on board in 2010, John Stracka has provided a backbone for both Retriever News and its half ownership of Entry Express and had maintained a reliable operating format and a very successful entity meeting the ideals of the National Club’s Board of Directors while supporting the Field Trial Retriever Community. John has assured a positive image and reporting of 40+ National events, publication of the RN magazine and the Newsletter, and continued accurate tracking and recording of nearly 900,000 dogs entered through EE and RN. John had been an anchor to our field trial community in this capacity and will truly be missed.
Tina Styan has become the mainstay of Retriever News. She has published over 150 issues of the magazine, curating over 800 articles for those editions. In addition, the field trial community sits, eagerly awaiting each of the National blog updates and articles that Tina and her crew provide during our National field trials. Tina is always “there,” ready to answer her phone, help provide information, answer questions, put out “fires,” while always able to make you smile.
Both John and Tina have worked tirelessly to assure Retriever News has been an educational tool functioning year after year to enhance judging with hundreds of topics addressed in “Judges Corner.” Entry Express and Retriever News platforms have also motivated significant charitable funds and visibility for the AKC Canine Health Foundation. We expect this service to the community to continue as the publication approaches its 80th Anniversary year in 2024.
The two National Boards, and the entire field trial community owe these two wonderful people so much for their individual work, time, and their love for our sport. Thank you so much, have a happy future and be assured, you left RN better than ever. Respectfully, The Boards of the National Retriever Club and the National Amateur Retriever Club
