The American Kennel Club announced today the appointment of Stephen F. Fielder as Director of Coonhound Events. Fielder comes to AKC with a wealth of experience gained during a 22-year career in the field of purebred dogs.

With a special emphasis on coonhounds, he has held numerous positions with United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Professional Kennel Club (PKC). Fielder has served as editor of two of the coonhound fancy’s top publications, Coonhound Bloodlines and Prohound (PKC). At the UKC he also held positions as Vice President of Field Operations and Vice President of Public Relations.

Most recently he served as Senior Vice President of PKC. In his position at the AKC, Fielder will focus on moving the organization into a leadership position among all purebred coonhound enthusiasts and will be responsible for the establishment and administration of a nationwide network of clubs and events.

“Steve will be a tremendous asset to the AKC,” said Dennis B. Sprung, president and CEO of the AKC. “His knowledge of and experience with coonhounds is firmly established and widely known. The passion he brings to this position will no doubt enable him to elevate the coonhound breeds and events to a place of prominence within the exciting world of AKC working dogs.”

An avid sportsman, Fielder sits on the boards of the Michigan Hunting Dog Federation and of the Michigan Bear Hunters Association. He has extensive experience in the legislative arena as an advocate of dog owners’ rights and has received numerous awards for his work in that field. A breeder of purebred Plott Hounds for many years, he is the former president of the National Plott Hound Association. Fielder is the founder of State Canine Awareness Network (SCAN) and an active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Fielder and his wife Carol, formerly of Winter Haven, Florida reside in Schoolcraft, Michigan. They have one son, Christopher.