Judges' Bios

ARTURO PENA
Heart of VA Show Judge: Halter (all), Performance and Production
Judge Trainer Halter, Fleece
Certifications: Huacaya Halter, Suri Halter, Fleece, Performance
Arturo Pena is from Arequipa, Peru. He has an educational background in animal science and management.  In 2003, he moved to the United States, since then he has been working as a herd manager for large alpaca farms operation.  His fascination for alpacas and its luxury product "The Fleece" motivated him to get into the AOBA Judging Apprentice Program.  He completed his training and become an AOBA Certified Halter, Performance and Fleece Judge for both Huacayas and Suris. Arturo, his wife Kat and son Nicholas recently moved to the East Coast area.
Arturo believes that education and mentoring are the keys to promote and develop a strong Alpaca industry.


JACOB HART
Dominion Alpaca Show Judge: Halter (all), Performance and Production
Certifications: Huacaya Halter, Suri Halter
Native to Central Ohio, Jacob has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2009, when he followed his parents into the industry at the age of 12. He first acquired his own alpacas as a way for his parents to teach him about finances and investments. It was at this time that he founded Rakhel Farms, which later became Rakhel Farms LLC.
Jacob attended Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness in 2018 with the intention to apply his education to the alpaca industry.
In 2019, Jacob entered the Alpaca Owners Association Judge Training Program and became a certified halter judge in 2022. He has volunteered at numerous AOA Certified alpaca shows and served on the AOA Show Revitalization Task Force in 2020.

LAUREL SHOUVLIN
Heart of VA Show Judge: Walking Fleece (all)

Certifications: Huacaya Halter, Suri Halter, Fleece, Performance
Laurel Shouvlin and her husband Tim have been raising alpacas since 1997 on Bluebird Hills Farm in Springfield, Ohio. Laurel has been fascinated with the camel family since her childhood and has also enjoyed working with natural fibers, learning to weave, knit and spin while in high school.
All facets of the alpaca industry appeal to her, including husbandry, fiber arts, veterinary medicine, breeding and birthing, and the show ring. She first considered becoming a judge after volunteering as a ring steward at various shows. Laurel believes the show ring is one of the best tools available to breeders to continue to improve both the fiber and conformation of alpacas in North America. The show ring also provides a great opportunity to help educate breeders about fleece and conformation.
Laurel has served as editor and publisher of the Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association magazine, Ohio Alpaca Life, as a director for the ARI, AOA, and the Suri Network. She feels privileged to have the opportunity to evaluate North American alpacas and their fleeces in AOA and international competitions.