AKC® Chief Operating Officer John Lyons today announced the appointment of John Rabidou to the position of Director of Performance Events. Rabidou received the AKC Lifetime Achievement Award for performance in 2004. He has been involved in the sport for more than 40 years, primarily distinguishing himself with German Shorthaired Pointers.

John Rabidou replaces Gordon Heldebrant and will report directly to John Lyons. Since 1986, Rabidou has been the proprietor of Uodibar Kennel and Stables in Hondo, Texas where he bred, trained and campaigned bird dogs to three National Championships and two Runner-Up National Championships. In addition Rabidou has produced three German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America Hall of Fame dogs. From 1980 to 1986 he was an administrator for Medina (TX) Community Hospital, an acute care facility. Rabidou was responsible for all phases of the hospital's operations, including planning, recruiting, financial management, budgeting, personnel management, plant maintenance, and public relations. Other accomplishments include serving in the U.S. Air Force and receiving a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin.

“John will be a remarkable asset to the AKC and a strong advocate for our performance event competitors,” said Lyons. “We could not have asked for better credentials than a Lifetime Achievement Award winner combined with a deep love of dogs and performance events and strong experience in management and operations.”

Rabidou is relocating to Raleigh, NC from Hondo, Texas.