Our Staff Biographies

Many people devote their time, talent and energies to make possible the production of a new issue of PandEcats.com 24 times a year. Authors, photographers, researchers and editors begin the process that results in a new article. Graphics designers, web designers and layourt artists then complete the recipe to produce an online magazine. While many of our contributers are freelancers and independent contractors, below is a listing of the individuals who are the bedrock upon which PandEcats.com is built...

Lee Harper
Mockingbird Persians and Exotics

Lee Harper is a Graduate of the University of Guelph with an Honors BSc in Zoology and of Fanshawe College with an advanced degree in Fine Arts Photography. As a professional photographer, Lee was the 17th woman in history to be awarded the title of Master of Photographic Arts by the Professional Photographers of Canada and has her work in the Professional Photographers of America permanent loan collection. An award winning writer and producer, she began showing Bi-color Persians in 1994, campaigned a cream and white Persian to CFA's #2 Cat in Championship in 1997, and introduced Exotics into her breeding program in 1999. In July 2000 she founded PandEcats.com, the first online breed magazine in history, followed 6 months later by ShowCatsOnline.com, an ezine devoted to all breeds of pedigreed cat. Besides acting as contributing editor to both ezines, Lee also designs a wide range of websites for cattery owners and business people. Hon BSc, BFAA, CPA, MPA, Member Cat Writers' Association

Kathy Durdick
Ristokat Himalayans

Kathy Durdick, BS, is a Honors graduate of Portland State University in computer programming. In 1994, Kathy and husband Jon began Ristokat Himalayans. While maintaining a very small breeding program, they have enjoyed considerable success, with 10 grands, 5 regional winners, and recently their first DM. In 1997, Kathy combined her computer expertise with her artistic talents and began Ristokat Web Designs. RWD has designed and/or maintains many cattery websites including The Atlantic Himalayan Club, Oakheaven Himalayans, and of course, Ristokat Himalayans. Kathy's creative talents are responsible for designing many of the cattery ADS for PandEcats.com and ALL the marvelous effects for "The Blast From the Past" kitties. And while Kathy does not list any previous circus experience in her resume, she is PandEcats.com's official RINGMASTER. Responsible for the creation of the PandEcats.com's Web Rrings and their constant maintainance, Kathy handles her multitude of duties with all the expertise of a Barnam & Bailey graduate. Please note: Kathy does not, however, use a whip nor does she wear a tophat or red coat jacket while engaged in her tasks as Ringmaster.

Hellery Spear

Hellery is an award-winning artist, writer, entrepreneur, and philosopher. After college she travelled extensively in Europe and Africa before returning home to begin a career in magazine layout and design. Recently she has turned her interests to the burgeoning possibilities that the world wide web offers for creative design work.

Hellery shares her home with a white Persian named Rave.

Dr. Leah Montgomery
Shaughnessy Animal Hospital

Dr. Leah attended the University of British Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, then suffered four harsh winters in Saskatoon at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. She managed not to get frost bitten (although her car did freeze completely for three days!) and moved back to the beautiful West Coast in 1995.

Dr. Leah began practice at the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital then moved to Coquitlam, BC and began practice at the Shaughnessy Veterinary Hospital. In April 2001 she purchased the proactice.

Between spaying cats and vaccinating dogs, Dr. Leah manages to find time to snowboard in the winter and rip up the trails on her mountain bike year-round. And she is the mother to two fur-babies - her cats named Armley and Chinela. "I love dogs!" she protests. "But with my crazy schedule, cats are easier to care for. I am "Auntie" to all the dogs that come through the hospital doors. The best part is I get to give them back!", she says with a grin.

Lawrence D. Hawke

Larry Hawke BA, BS, MBA is a modern renaissance man with many talents and interests. While not a cat breeder, he shares his home and family with a large white Persian named George and George's less hairy "younger" brother, an Exotic named Washington (no relation).

Larry is a hansome fella and keeps all the female hearts at PandEcats all a-flutter.

Dave Howard
Strategic Human Resources Group

Dave's interest in communication began more than twenty-five years ago when he attended Ryerson Polytechnic University, graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Arts - Radio & Television. In 1986 Dave returned to his native British Columbia and started Strategic Video Productions. Strategic Video has produced educational and promotional videos for large and small organizations. Dave taught video production and computer graphics at The Centres for Digital Imaging and Sound and has been active in local industry associations.

Dave is, sadly, allergic to felines :-(.

Geoff, The Code-Man

Geoff is a secretive sort of fella... I think that makes him sort of an enigma. He prefers to email rather than to talk. He has requested that we not include any details of his life in his bio...

Sh-sh-sh-sh...

We love you anyway, Geoff!

Jill Bartlett
TAG Interactive

Jill is a pixel pusher - meaning she spends her life married to a computer creating interactive graphics and animations for multimedia. In fact, rumor has it she has even surgically attached a computer mouse to her right hand (which has been known to attract the occasional cat). She has a deep love of furry felines but is unfortunately afflicted with the sudden onrush of weeping eyes and nose whenever she is found cuddling them. This misfortune has resulted in Jill creating virtual kitty-cats to play with, much those which can be seen throughout this site. Jill is owner/operator of TAG Interactive, and has over 10 years experience in the field of multimedia. She received her Bachelor of Design from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in 1993 and has developed creative concepts and productions for everything from print to web site development.

Lucy Rand
Animated Originals by Lucy Rand

From the debut issue of PandEcats.com, Lucy Rand was generous enough to allow the use of her incredible cat animations on our pages. In our opinion, Lucy is the premier creator of animal animations on the web.

To read more about her story, please enjoy our article titled Lucy Rand.