Any legitimate organization with a nonprofit status will have a board of directors in place. This board allocates where any money raised goes and also remains active in the pig community as well as the organization as it evolves. The board is responsible for many things, but one is to keep information as up to date as possible on the website, Facebook page as well as other social media platforms. Since this organization has been around for a number of years, the direction has changed quite a bit and the focus is now on promoting healthy pigs, ensuring owners have all the resources available to them and also protecting the breed. Every one of these board members is trying to do the same by advocating, educating, and volunteering. If you are interested in becoming a part of the solution to the pet pig problem we have in the US, let us know! We welcome new faces and would love to have you on the NAPPA Team.
Pam Munici – President/Director/Co Treasurer
President and Director of North American Pet Pig Association manages/leads a team of volunteers providing education to protect and preserve the pet pig, as well as to educate the public, pet owners, pet pig owners. Publishes a bi monthly printed pet pig newsletter. You can reach her website http://www.petpigs.com/ or contact her using the contact us page on this site.
Ana Garcia – Director & Secretary
My name is Ana Garcia and I am a director on the NAPPA board. I am owned by two wonderful pigs. I had no idea how to take care of a pig 2 yrs ago but I sure did learned fast, Miss Piggy is my potbelly pig and she chose me to be her mama. I got Miss Piggy when she was just 4 days old, Miss Piggy just turned 2 in April 2016. I am also owned by my precious Frankie. Frankie is a kunekune (kunie-kunie) pig. Frankie chose me as her mama when she was 3 months old, Frankie turned a year old in March 2016.
I love animals and it shows, here are my loving and loyal pets, Charlie my little Chihuahua is 8 yrs old. Charlie is my shadow following my every footstep. Oliver is my 9 yr old African Grey, he is a character and has a very large vocabulary but enjoys telling people to shut up, I need to teach him some manners. Tequila is my Moluccan Cockatoo that I rescued! Tequila is 8 yrs old and is such a gentle soul, she loves to cuddle close and have her head scratched.
I am also the owner of a small Graphic Design/Illustrator company. I have designed a few covers for Bestselling Authors as well as several logos for businesses. I am very honored to be part of the NAPPA organization, an organization that is truly for the wellbeing of all pig breeds.
Dana Boyle – Director
Dana Boyle, from northern New Jersey, is an occupational therapist, director of rehabilitation, and has been the proud owner of a potbelly pig since 2009. With many questions about raising and training a potbelly pig, Dana researched and came across NAPPA. Since then, she has contributed to NAPPA by writing columns about life with her potbelly pig, Snacks, who she adores. She tries to educate others about owning a potbelly pig as a pet. In addition, Dana also volunteers with the Pig Placement Network and with the Randolph Regional Animal Shelter for dogs.
Kimzey Creasman – Director
Kimzey Creasman has been involved with pbps since she got her first one in 2014. She fell for the myth of a micro pigs and after a few months of owning her realized the need of pigs needing homes. In 2016, Kimzey started Willas Pig Rescue- a rescue dedicated to saving geriatric and special needs pigs. She works closely with the University of Tennessee vet school to provide the best treatment for her pigs. As well as running Willas Pig Rescue, she is also in university full time and studying pre-law.
Ghislaine Martin – Director
Ghislaine Martin has been a member of the pet pig community since Pig Little came into her life in 2007.
She holds a Veterinary Assistant’s degree from Ashford College, graduating with High Honors.
She served as a past Director of NAPPA in 2009- 2012 and is a past Vice President of American Mensa, Albany NY chapter.
Ghislaine is the founder and Sanctuary Manager for Kenelm Farms, a 501c3 Farm Animal Sanctuary specializing in farm pigs and pot belly pigs. The sanctuary is located in Kinderhook, NY. She is active in rescue transport (mostly) east of the Mississippi.
She practices herbalism and works for a herb supplier in Eastern New York State.
Helen Morrison – Director
Helen Morrison has a lifelong love for animals, growing up with dogs, cats, rabbits and birds. Her first job at age 13 was grooming ponies and donkeys, and cleaning stalls. During her first semester at college, she signed up for a belly dance class, and fell in love with the rich, earthy music. She still performs, teaches, and hosts dance fund raisers for animal charities. She is a prize winning baker, earning almost two dozen ribbons at county and state fairs
Helen earned a BBA in Computer Science from Kent State University. Together with her husband, they ran a software company in the 1980s. She became a freelance writer, a technical writer/trainer for an OEM, and then back to computers as a Web Developer.
Helen first heard of mini pigs in the late 1980s, and bought her first pig, Damien, in 1992. Not long after, she connected with other pet pig owners through the Cleveland Freenet Usenet Groups (the precursor to the internet), and began her journey helping pigs in need. Over the last 25 years Helen has helped dozens of rescues and sanctuaries and hundreds of pigs, providing transportation, foster and forever homes, sponsoring, fund raising, and educating people about pigs and their needs.
Debbie Pagerie – Director
My name is Debbie Pagerie, and I live in West Milford New Jersey. I am the Director of Catering at a Country Club in Bergen County, where I have been employed for 36 years. Two years ago I mentioned to my co-workers that for my next pet, I may try a Pig. So, for Christmas that year, to my complete surprise , the Team all chipped in and presented me with a Vietnamese Potbellied Piglet from a nearby pet store. I immediately named her Ruby, and beyond that, knew absolutely nothing about owning a pig. After much research, training, and many mistakes later, I am proud of myself for never giving up on her. Ruby is loved by all who meet her. She comes to work with me about three days a week, and when she is out and about on the property, there is soon to be a crowd of people with cameras trying to get a selfie with a pig. Since we host a lot of weddings, Ruby is often invited to take pictures with the wedding parties. Every day is an adventure, connected to a learning experience. This is my life with Ruby.
Debbie Perkins – Director
I am a person who believes in the humane treatment of all animals. A good portion of my youth was spent living and working on a farm with my Grandparents and it taught me a lot. I have helped with many rescues and attended Pet Night in DC for the past two years raising my voice for NAPPA.