The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce that James S. Covey will join the Executive Field Staff covering the Northern California, Nevada area effective January 8, 2007.

For more than 35 years, Covey has been an active participant in the Sport of Purebred Dogs. In his early teens he worked at a major breeding kennel and then went on to breed and exhibit his own English Cocker Spaniels and Norfolk Terriers.

He was an AKC® Licensed Apprentice Handler from 1968 until 1972 and became an AKC Licensed Handler in 1976. He professionally handled purebred dogs until he became an AKC judge in 1980. He is currently approved to judge the Sporting Group, Norfolk and Norwich Terriers, and Best in Show.

Besides 26 years as an AKC judge, Covey's background also includes extensive club affiliation. He is a past president and was most recently a board member and chairman of the judges' selection committee for the Troy Kennel Club in New York State. He is also a past director of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America.

Covey will replace retiring Executive Field Representative Florence Males. He will leave his New York-based court reporting business and relocate to the West Coast.