The American Kennel Club® has announced the appointment of Margaret Hassell Poindexter as the Assistant Vice President of Compliance.
In this role Poindexter will oversee the Case Management, Inspections and Investigations and DNA Operations departments. AKC®'s Compliance division is charged with ensuring the accuracy of the registry and upholding standards of care and conditions for AKC registered dogs. The AKC is the only registry in the U.S. with an ongoing routine kennel inspection program. In 2007, AKC field inspectors conducted more than 5,600 inspections nationwide and the organization currently has a database of over 425,000 DNA profiles.
Poindexter, who will begin work on February 20, replaces Tom Sharp who was recently appointed AKC Companion Animal Recovery's Vice President and Chief Executive Officer.
An attorney, Poindexter comes to the AKC from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Atlanta, GA where she was responsible for providing legal counsel on a range of issues relating to single family programs, including enforcement and compliance. Prior work experience includes 10 years at the U.S. Department of the Interior as trial counsel and agency advisor, three years in construction management and four years at a private law firm focusing on real estate and civil litigation.
Poindexter is an avid animal lover, involved with both dogs and horses. As a teenager she showed Saddlebred horses which evolved into an interest in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. For nearly 20 years Poindexter has competed as an owner-handler in Conformation, placing titles on both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. She has also showed Australian Shepherds, PBGV's and a Labrador Retriever and participated in Obedience, Agility and Herding. Currently she is focusing on Obedience with her Labrador Retriever “Sydney,” with the goal of doing therapy work with her. Poindexter is a member of the Southeast Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club, the Greater Atlanta Labrador Retriever Club and the PBGV Club of America. She also has two horses and is involved in the Georgia Equine Rescue League, Ltd., a nonprofit that helps neglected horses.
“We are extremely pleased to have Margaret join us here in Raleigh,” said AKC Chief Operating Officer John Lyons. “Her varied professional background which includes both legal and business experience combined with her long and deep commitment to the fancy and animal welfare gives me great confidence in her ability to effectively oversee this division which is vital to the integrity of our registry and to the AKC's reputation as a whole.”