Amanda VandenBosch

Amanda VandenBosch has been raising alpacas, both huacaya and suris for 32 + years along with her family at Flying Dutchman Alpacas, LLC in Bend, Oregon, USA. Amanda travels worldwide as an International Alpaca Judge, judging and teaching on all aspects of alpacas, fiber, and end products. She has been active with many organizations and is co-author of "Art & Science of Alpaca Judging" and "Innovative Fleece Assessment Judging System" along with many research projects related to the selection, health, and well-being of the alpaca. Proud co-hosts of 16th Annual Education with a Destination Event and Stanford Livestock International, Ltd export services complimented with alpaca retail store Alpaca by Design. Amanda is passionately involved with the non-profit organization Quechua Benefit in Peru.

Amanda is an alpaca enthusiast in all aspects from selective breeding decisions and raising of high-quality alpacas to a passionate educator known for her interactive clinics and sharing of knowledge with fellow alpaca enthusiasts worldwide.

Wade Gease

Wade Gease is an AOA-certified senior alpaca judge, judge training instructor, presenter, designer, and consultant/mediator for the worldwide alpaca industry. He is a previous owner and manager of a sustainable alpaca ranch for eighteen years. He now unveils his own wholesale/retail product line and services as The Alpaca Guy.

Wade has been honored to be involved with many different activities in the alpaca world: presenting his personal educational seminars at industry gatherings, consulting, commentating, coordinating for auctions or fashion shows, and providing private evaluations for alpaca breeders. Another favored activity has been leading yearly educational trips throughout Peru. Contact him to be put on his Peru Trip notification list.

Wade was the first to produce a N.A. made alpaca bamboo fabric. Thereafter, he created an upscale clothing line highlighting alpaca fabric, Alpaca Couture. The company’s vision was to gain greater attention from a discriminating consumer and help the industry gain greater recognition as an attractive fiber for fashion. Fashion shows were presented in Las Vegas, Orange County, and San Diego. The business transitioned into his popular wholesale business, The Alpaca Guy.

Mr. Gease also forged ahead in making other alpaca materials and created a wet felting machine for home/farm use to empower ranches to make on-the-farm products, The Wet Felting Wizard. It has had over 25,000 views on YouTube and has sold as far as the Netherlands, France, and South Africa.

Wade earned an associate degree in Aeronautical Science, a bachelor’s degree in chemistry & a master degree in Biochemistry. He is also a Camelid Fibre Sorter certified from Olds College Natural Fibre Centre, Canada. His past has given him experience in construction, was a certified flight instructor, chemistry instructor, co-owner of a gift & floral store and a cardiovascular sale representative for multiple pharmaceutical companies. He enjoys scuba diving, home improvement projects, and anything related to alpaca fiber!

Ken Hibbits

Victoria and Ken Hibbits own and operate Alpacas By The Sea, Inc. in Montara, California. They have both worked in the alpaca industry for over 16 years. Alpacas By The Sea has been raising alpacas since 1992. They managed a herd of up 100 alpacas and have presented educational seminars for their clients that provide an excellent informational foundation for success in the alpaca business. Ken is an AOA Halter Judge. Victoria Hibbits was an ARI Phenotypic screener and they have traveled together in Peru learning advanced husbandry directly from breeders on the altiplano. They have also studied and shared breeding techniques and alpaca screening criteria with some of the worlds leading experts. They have enjoyed raising alpacas in Northern California and take great pleasure in sharing the rewards of alpacas with others. Alpacas By the Sea is located just 25 minutes south of San Francisco on scenic Highway 1 along the Pacific Ocean.