Jerry Peters — CEO/President
Dog: Meadow, a yellow Labrador Retriever
Meadow’s Favorite Waggin’ Train Treat: Western Grill

Jerry has owned and adored many dogs over the course of his life. He brings this passion for dogs to work with him every day as he constantly looks for new ways to provide them with healthier, more delicious treats.

According to Jerry, “There’s nothing quite like the companionship a dog provides. Who else loves you unconditionally and is ecstatic to see you every time you walk through the door? In fact, I think people can learn a lot from their dogs in terms of how to treat one another. As the saying goes, ‘bark less, wag more.’”

Michelle Higdon — Chief Operations Officer
Dog: Bob, a Jack Russell Terrier
Harley, a rescued Labrador Retriever Mix
Penny, a Jack Russell Terrier
Tres, a Jack Russell Terrier
Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats:
Bob: Duck Jerky Tenders
Harley: Supreme Green Dental Bones
Penny: Chicken Jerky Tenders
Tres: Duck Jerky Tenders

Michelle has seven dog members in her family. She lives on a farm and really enjoys watching them run, play and swim. Because they’re farm dogs and natural hunters, most treats don’t interest Michelle’s pack. Waggin’ Train treats are the exception of course! When Michelle’s dogs hear the rustling of a Waggin’ Train bag, they go crazy.

Michelle enjoys each of her dogs’ individual personalities. “Our herd acts like it’s own little community - with the boss, the caregivers and the constant workers. They are such a joy!”

Michael Stoeckle — VP, National Accounts
Dog: Reilly, a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
Reilly’s Favorite Waggin’ Train Treat: Supreme Clean Dental Bones

Michael has been part of the Waggin’ Train team since 2007 and oversees some of our national accounts. He is the proud owner of Reilly, a little dog with a big personality — as evidenced by the way she struts her stuff after trips to the groomer.

Reilly is also the emotional barometer of the Stoeckle family. When Michael’s children have a rough day, Reilly is the first family member they seek out for a kiss or snuggle. According to Michael, “When I see this happen, it’s a great warning sign that one of the kids needs some cheering up. The dog usually does the trick, but if not it gives me a great opportunity to be understanding and encouraging to the people who mean the most to me.”

Julie Barron — VP, National Accounts
Dogs: Dudley, a Golden Retriever and Roxanne, a Labrador/Bird Dog Mix
Dudley’s Favorite Waggin’ Train Treat: Chicken Jerky Tenders
Roxanne’s Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats: Supreme Green Dental Bones and Duck Jerky Tenders

Julie joined Waggin’ Train in 2004. She believes the added dose of patience she brings to the team is a direct result of the relationships she’s built with her own dogs and the many foster dogs she’s taken in over the years.

Julie’s current dogs, Dudley and Roxanne, are true to their retriever bloodlines and love taking trips to the lake. While they always enjoy a good swim, Dudley and Roxanne also get a thrill out of speeding across the water in Julie’s boat — catching some rays and a cool breeze.

Jan Garrett — VP of Finance
Dog: Lou, a Chihuahua
Lou’s Favorite Waggin’ Train Treat: Cowboy Steaks

Jan has been with Waggin’ Train since 2007. A lifelong dog lover, Jan used to raise Labrador Retrievers and most recently rescued a Chihuahua named Lou, who has become fast friends with her son William. Jan loves finding them curled up on the couch together watching movies. Not surprisingly, Beverly Hills Chihuahua is their favorite flick!

Jan thinks we should all be a bit more like dogs. “They love you no matter what! Dogs don't care if your hair is done or if your outfit has a designer label - they just love you as you are,” she says.

Craig LaPointe — Event Marketing Manager
Dog: Kabella, a Black Lab
Kabella’s Favorite Waggin’ Train Treat: Duck Wrapped Meat Blast

Craig is responsible for scheduling the events and on-site promotions that allow us to meet so many Waggin’ Train fans.

Craig’s dog Kabella is his hunting companion and he never gets tired of seeing her poised and waiting for the command to retrieve. Kabella has a softer side as well. One of Craig’s favorite memories is of Kabella greeting his new daughter with soft sniffs and a few gentle kisses on the face.

Cindy Willimon — Customer Service Manager
Dogs: Ziva, a Toy Australian Shepherd
Minnie Mouse, a rescued Pomeranian
Classey, a rescued Pomeranian
Cookie, a rescued Pomeranian
Indy, a rescued Pomeranian
Casey, a Doberman
Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats:
Ziva: Kabobs
Minnie Mouse: Chicken Jerky Bites
Classey: Chicken Jerky Bites
Cookie: Chicken Jerky Bites
Indy: Any and all Waggin’ Train treats
Casey: Chicken Jerky Tenders

Cindy joined our team in 2008 and takes great care of our customers as well as a variety of rescued animals. She has been involved with Pomeranian and Australian Shepherd Rescue programs and also fosters strays and hard to adopt dogs. Right now she has six dogs in her home (including a blind and deaf Pomeranian that was rescued during Hurricane Katrina), but she’s lost count of exactly how many she’s cared for in her lifetime.

A true dog lover at heart, she believes that humans could take lessons from their canine counterparts when it comes to forgiveness. According to Cindy, “If a dog gets mad or upset, give them five minutes and they’re over it.”

Jennifer has been with Waggin’ Train almost two years and keeps many of our projects on track so we are able to get Waggin’ Train treats to our valued retailers and customers on time.

Lucky reminds Jennifer of John Wayne. At nine years old, Lucky is a little gray around the edges, but remains steadfast and handsome. His idea of a great day usually includes a trip to the lake for a swim and finding a nice stream of sunshine in which to rest up afterwards.

Donna Wilbanks, Manager Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
Dog: Claremont’s Ziegfield’s Folly ("Ziggy" for short), an adopted Pekingese
Ziggy's Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats: Yam Good and Jerky Bites

This little dog with a big name is a terrific companion to Donna, who oversees our Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivables departments. Ziggy is just as content to sit on the porch and enjoy the breeze as she is to hop in the car and run errands.

Donna volunteers her time promoting the concept of responsible hobby breeding. These special breeders find placements for all their retired breeding animals and take back adopted animals whose owners can no longer care for them. In fact, Donna adopted her adorable Pekingese from just such a breeder.

George Ramirez, Warehouse Manager
Dogs: Diva, a rescued Akita/Chow mix and Güera, a Pit Bull
Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats:
Diva: Jerky Tenders
Güera: Any and all

George joined the Waggin’ Train team in 2007 and is a perfect match for the company as he estimates having owned over 100 dogs during his life. George’s two most recent arrivals, Diva and Güera, are still puppies and have quickly become good friends. Diva is learning to "sit" and "stay" while Güera can usually be found riding next to George in his truck. As with all the dogs he’s owned over the course of his life, George continues to value the loyalty and friendship these two new companions provide.

Julian R. Martinez, Jr., Service Center
Inventory Analyst
Dogs: Cocoh, a Jack Russell Terrier
Kiva, a Jack Russell Terrier
Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats:
Cocoh: Any and all
Kiva: Any and all

Julian joined Waggin’ Train in August 2009 and works in our Corona, California facility. He’s the proud owner of Cocoh and Kiva, two high energy Jack Russell terriers who have taught him “we all should be a little more stress free and not worry about the small things in life.”

Julian learned the hard way that Cocoh and Kiva claimed the yard as their domain - the girls have devoured outdoor furniture, his son’s toys and even a pair of prescription eyeglasses that were left outside. And while Cocoh and Kiva like chasing a ball, they also take great pleasure tracking a not-so-traditional foe. Julian likes to keep them on their toes by flashing the beam from a laser pointer around the yard and watching them burn off a little excess energy running it down.

Kristine Ford, Executive Assistant
Dogs: Shuee, a Mixed Hound
Titan, a Sharpei / Collie Mix
Shiloh, a Mixed Hound
Blaze, a Mixed Hound
Favorite Waggin’ Train Treats:
Shuee: Meat Blast
Titan: Yam Good
Shiloh: Freshies Supreme Green Dental Bones
Blaze: Chicken Jerky

Kristine has cared for many dogs over the years, but currently owns four dogs, all of which were adopted from rescue organizations within the last few years. Each dog has his/her individual personality, but something they all enjoy is swimming at the lake together and running free outdoors. Kristine maintains an active lifestyle and is motivated by her dogs every day, “exercising the dogs means exercising myself.” She also believes we should take cues from our dogs’ natural curiosity, “dogs love to get out and go new places and explore… we should too.”