Board of Directors
The Board of Directors are elected by the general membership of NAPgA and serve 3-year terms.
Officers are elected by the Board of Directors at the first annual board meeting each year.
Chris Gifford
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President
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Selah, WA
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Term Expires in 2028
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Chris Gifford
I live in a small town in Central Washington (Selah) with my amazing wife, Gloria. We do not have human children, but we have 21 four-legged children (18 goats, 2 dogs, and 2 cats). I have worked as a paralegal for the past 25 years. During the fall of 2018, while daydreaming and researching for my big game hunting hobby, I discovered packgoats and suddenly the door to a whole new world was opened. Within days I reserved 4 packgoat prospect bottle baby wethers and the rest is history! Two of my wethers were stricken by urinary calculi (UC) in the winter of 2020/2021. Thanks to excellent veterinary care and drastic changes to their feed and water, those two boys are still with us today. The experience has driven me to help other people better understand and manage the contributing risk factors. I am proud to be a part of NAPgA’s UC Research Committee and the work it has done to design comprehensive research projects related to this horrible disease. I look forward to continuing to work on this project and helping NAPgA and the packgoat community with land management issues to maintain access to public lands for goat packing.
Diane Miller
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Vice President
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Steamboat Springs, CO
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Term Expires in 2026
Diane Miller
I am a retired RN and public health administrator. I hold a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management and has 25+ years experience working and volunteering for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and community initiatives. My work experience includes grant proposal writing, program development and evaluation, strategic planning and board development. My husband and I own a small business and have enjoyed hiking and camping with our packgoats since 2015.pack goat issue’s or general questions.
Margaret Scott
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Secretary
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Bakersfield, CA
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Term Expires in 2029
Margaret Scott
I grew up in Los Angeles County and eventually moved to Bakersfield, California to find a little chunk of land for my animals. My packgoat herd started with about 7 boys and has grown to include a breeding program for packgoats. Getting into hiking with packgoats has given me more opportunities to continue to enjoy the places that bring me sanity.
I joined NAPgA because I recognize the value in the organization. I am currently on the UC Research Study Committee, the NAPgA Website Committee and the Rendezvous Committee. I have been following the Sierra and Sequoia NF plans and have spoken in favor of continuing to allow packgoats in these forests. I have been an instructor at National Wild Turkey Federation’s Women in Outdoors events introducing packgoats as an addition to hiking and camping getaways.
I am currently the office manager for an engineering firm. I was a professional manager for Girl Scouts for over fifteen years. I was a membership recruiter, director of outdoor program and risk management and was a master trainer of Leave No Trace. Providing girls and their parents with reasons to get outdoors was life changing for many and it was something I enjoyed sharing. I will use those skills to help NAPgA continue growing and make a positive presence in the outdoor world.
Jill Aakers
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Board Member
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Marion, MT
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Term Expires in 2029
Jill Aakers
I live in Marion, Montana- just about an hour West of Glacier National Park. My
husband and I started our pack goat journey in 2022. We had heard about the idea but
never seen it in action! We now own 10 goats and foster two more. I love everything
about these animals and have learned so much from friends in the pack goat
community.
Some things about the rest of my family- I have 3 sons- one is 22 currently in the Navy,
one is 17 set to graduate this spring, and a 15-year-old who keeps me on my toes. We
also have dogs, chickens, and pheasants. In my spare time (ha!) I enjoy hiking with
our pack, hunting, and spending time with my kids- human and goat.
I am still new in working with pack goats but truly enjoy talking with others who have
goats and telling stories to those who don’t. I would really like to be able to help spread
the word on these amazing these animals. I would like to become a NAPgA board
member so I can be a part of the group that helps encourage, teach, and stand up for
the pack goat enterprise. It is my hope that I can contribute time and energy to such a
great group and I am willing to help out wherever I can!
Cindy Flowers
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Board Member
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Montrose, CO
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Term Expires in 2028
Cindy Flowers
I started my Goat Journey 5 years ago, it’s been quite a ride, lots of joy and a few tears. I have learned so much and I’m in my 3rd year of breeding and am still working on my genetics. I feel like I’m gaining ground. I love introducing people to packgoats and would love to help younger people get involved and interested in them. There is nothing more relaxing than hanging out and hiking with my goats. Hopefully I can continue doing it for years to come. I was raised in a farming and ranching family and love being outdoors, I currently own a full time Taxidermy business and live in western Colorado.
Sheryl Hutson
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Board Member
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North Eastern WA
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Term Expires in 2029
Sheryl Hutson
Sheryl is a multi-faceted goat enthusiast and lifetime member of NAPgA. She has
recentlystarted training one of her wethers to pull a cart with the goal of taking him to
parades in the future; many hours of training ahead. Sheryl has been raising goats for
eight years and packing/hiking with goats for five, spending most of that on trails near
her home in
Northeastern Washington State or in Idaho. When not in the barn, on the trail or at the
officefor the non-profit she works for, she also enjoys photography, gardening and
reading. Sheryl lives on a small farm with her husband Raymond, Border Collie Poppie,
Dachshund Werner, and her horse, Diamond. Sheryl is enthusiastic about increasing
member engagement and developing new educational tools to promote NAPgA and the
remarkable creatures we call goats.
Nathan Putnam
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Board Member
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Mountain Home, ID
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Term Expires in 2026
Nathan Putnam
Located in southwest Idaho, I have been breeding and packing with goats for 7 years. As an avid hunter and outdoorsmen one of the things I pride myself on is including Pack Goats in all of our backcountry adventures no matter the season. With more than 2000 backcountry goat miles under my belt I have been able to glean a special knowledge with these animals that has helped me to understand how exceptional they are as pack stock and that each goat has its own unique personality. These animals are meant to be on trail and in the mountains and it’s my goal serving as a board member for the North American Packgoat Association to make sure that our wilderness rights are preserved for future generations of Goat Packers.
Nancy Tanner
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Board Member
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Bozeman, MT
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Term Expires in 2026
Nancy Tanner
Nancy Tanner CPDT-KSA is a certified dog trainer and award-winning writer and photographer. She’s the founding owner of Paws & People, Border Farm, and The World Treibball League and has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show. She and her family live in Montana on their farm that is a blend of everything they do and love: working with dogs, natural rearing our animals, biodynamic gardening, nutrition, and farming. Nancy has specialized in puppy training and adolescent development since 2003. She has also been naturally raising, milking, and packing with her goats since 2018.
Clark Trowell
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Board Member
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Lone Pine, CA
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Term Expires in 2028
Clark Trowell
After teaching Jr. High and High School for 50 years, I have recently left the classroom. Before that, I spent 27 monts as a combat medic in Vietnam. I got my BA/Education from Sonoma State in CA, Masters/Psychology from Prescott College, AZ and a Doctorate in Snow and Avalanche Science from Stanford University, CA. When I wasn’t in the classroom, I worked many seasons for the Forest Service here in Lone Pine, CA and the Park Service in UT. When I am not packing and ranching with the goats, I play outside, hiking, running, rock climbing, biking, and skiing. I want to dedicate more time and energy towards the fair treatment of packgoats and their packers on our public lands. I believe that my election to the board would broaden my efforts to share accurate information with the NF and other organizations that are making decisions about where packgoats are allowed.
Tara Singapouri
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Board Member
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Conifer, CO
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Term Expires in 2029
Tara Singapouri
I'm Tara and I own Guided Goat Hikes in Colorado, which means I pretty much live and
breathe goats. My mission is simple: strengthen our pack goat community, get solid
knowledge about pack goats into the world, and keep lands accessible for responsible
pack goat use. In my spare time I am usually traveling or paddleboarding.
I'm seeking a seat on the NAPgA board to strengthen member support and education
around pack goats. I'll bring practical trail experience and a collaborative approach, to
assure we are moving forward in the sport.
Officers Appointed by the Board of Directors (Non-Voting Officers)
The position of Treasurer may be filled either by election of a Board Member or by appointment of a general NAPgA member by the Board of Directors. An appointed Treasurer serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and can be removed by a 2/3 majority of the Board at any time. A Treasurer appointed by the Board of Directors must have their appointment renewed annually at the first meeting of each calendar year.
Gloria Lorenzo
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Treasurer
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Selah, WA
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Term Expires 2024
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Gloria Lorenzo
My name is Gloria Lorenzo and I was born and raised in Washington state. I graduated from the University of Miami with a BA in Political Science. I have had the opportunity to experience living and traveling abroad including living in Panama City Panama for 15 years before returning to Washington state.
I currently work from home as an interpreter and have been doing so for the past 9 years. Before I settled into that career, I held 2 positions on the Board of a non-profit organization in Panama as Secretary and Treasurer throughout the years 2001 until 2013. I have at least 25 years of experience in managing operational and administrative duties, including accounting, for businesses.
I am now happy to say that I have returned to Washington and am living in the town that I grew up in of Selah Washington, with my wonderful husband, 18 beautiful goats, 2 amazing dogs, and 2 wonderful cats that I call my children. I have been a NAPgA member since 2019.
Consulting Members
Consulting Members are appointed and approved by the Board of Directors to provide assistance and advice regarding specific organizational goals or issues necessary for the successful operation of NAPgA in pursuit of its mission. Consulting Members typically possess relevant experience, education, or training related to the topics for which they provide consulting services. Consulting Members serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and can be removed at any time by a majority vote of the Board.
Irene Saphra
Access to Public Lands and Forest Plans
Irene Saphra
I got my first pack goats in 2009, because I love hiking and backpacking but don’t enjoy hauling a heavy pack around in the backcountry. Although I had no previous experience with stock animals, I was instantly smitten with how lovable and loyal goats are. I am a former NAPgA Board member and am now a proud Lifetime Member. In addition to hiking with my goats, I also have “volunteered” them for various projects, including trail work with the Idaho Trails Association, and packing in supplies to remote backcountry aid stations for ultra-marathon trail races.
My professional career in Natural Resources began in 1981. I progressed through the ranks of Fire Management, serving as a Team Member on a multitude of Land Use Projects, including Forest Plans, Environmental Assessments, and other landscape-scale activities, that gave me a strong background in Federal and local land use policies and laws. I worked for both the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and retired in 2008. I currently live in New Meadows, Idaho, and enjoy recreating in the millions of acres of backcountry adjacent to my home. My employment experience has contributed to my passion to ensure Goat Packers will continue to have legal access to Public Lands.
Nancy Clough
Access to Public Lands and Research
Nancy Clough
Packgoats piqued my curiosity in 2000 when looking for a way to take the load off when elk hunting. It took me 7 years of reading and planning before I got my first 3 Oberhasli and I have never looked back. My occupation as a nurse has kept me engaged in health related research throughout my career. I was involved with the 2016 Packgoat MOVI prevalence study. Good quality evidence based research takes time to read and understand. This is a challenge I enjoy and hope to help if needed.
