2019 Catsachusetts Judges

Adriana Kajon (AB)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Southwest Region

Adriana Kajon was voted by members for the honor of being TICA’s 2013 Judge of the Year.  She became a TICA Distinguished Judge in 2017.

Adriana is currently a TICA Approved Allbreed Judge, Ring Training Instructor, Judging School Instructor, Licensed Genetics Instructor, and a member of TICA’s Genetics Committee.  She is also the co-creator of ICAT, the International Cat Agility Tournaments.  

Adriana was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she grew up and received her early education. She has an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires, and two Ph.D. degrees in Virology, the last of which she obtained in Sweden in 1995.  She is currently doing research in viral pathogenesis at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She has been breeding Singapuras for 16 years under the cattery prefix Truecolours, and is Chair of the Singapura Breed Committee in TICA.

Although cats had always been part of her life, Adriana started participating actively in the Argentine cat fancy in 1981 after several years of breeding and showing Doberman Pinchers, including the first Doberman ever to go Best In Show in Argentina.  Over the years she has served as a member of the Argentine Feline Association’s (AFA) Board of Directors, as editor of AFA’s monthly Bulletin, and as Vice President of the Siamese Cat Club.  

In 1988 Adriana became an All-Breed Judge for Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe).  In 1991, Adriana joined TICA, entering the Judging program in 1992.

Massimo Picardello (AB)
Rome, Italy
Europe South Region

Massimo Picardello has been a cat judge since 1988. He first became judge for the Independent Traditional European circuit, then a TICA judge in 1993, then also a WCF judge in 1994. He has been a TICA Ring, School and Genetics Instructor since 1998, and a member of the Genetics Commission since the same year. He has been a breeder of Persians and Himalayans since 1980, but has stopped breeding some years ago.

In real life, apart the hobby of cats, he is a university professor of Mathematics. He also teaches Computer Graphics and Photography. He does mathematics research in Harmonic Analysis and Discrete Potential Theory.

For what concerns cats, besides sharing his perception of their beauty and love, his mission is to help breeders and judges to consider the health of cats as the preminent issue, and act consequently. Most of his Genetics Seminars and Judges Schools have this aim.

Francine Madison Hicks (AB)
Lisbon Falls, Maine
Northeast Region

Francine Madison Hicks is an approved Allbreed Judge as well as a Ring and School Instructor. In 1995, she began showing cats with her 1st Ocicat and has shown the following breeds: Ocicat, Bengal, Maine Coon, Balinese, Oriental Longhair, Oriental Shorthair, and Persian. She has bred Ocicats, specializing in silvers for many years.

After clerking and serving as Master Clerk at shows for years, Francine became a TICA Judge in 2002 and has judged all over the world including Asia, Europe and South America. She considers it the best job in the world. From 2009-2015, Francine served as Northeast Regional Director. She was breed booth coordinator for the highly successful partnership between TICA and the AKC at "Meet the Breeds" in NYC. She is a founding member and the current treasurer of Nauticats Cat Club in Maine, which hosts shows in Maine, Montreal, Quebec, and Sherbrooke. In addition to cats, she was also a breeder of Italian Greyhounds.

Francine lives in Lisbon Falls, Maine with her Italian Greyhound Vinnie and her fabulous husband Mike.  When not found behind the judging table, she can be found hiking the New England 4000's.  She also enjoys fishing, reading, cycling and of course travel.  She is Practice Manager for Podiatry Care of Maine in Portland, ME. 

As a judge, Francine feels truly blessed to have the best job in the world!

Ana Maria Sosa (AB)
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
South Central Region

Ana Maria Sosa is proudly Mexican, by birth and by heart. In 2003, she earned her judge’s license from TICA. She has been a veterinarian since 1981 and owns her own practice, where she mainly practices feline medicine. She says that she lives for cats and from cats!

Previously, she dedicated herself to the breeding of Persian, Himalayan, Oriental, and Siamese cats. For 15 years, she managed a shelter for kittens, adopting out more than 3,500 kitten, all fixed! Currently, she does not breed, but she has 3 kittens, one of whom she considers the most handsome cat of the millennium! He is a natural black cat with a semi-long coat, and he has completely stolen her heart.

In her free time, she sews, something she truly enjoys. She focuses on things such as bags and purses. A relaxing hobby, she says that she is devoted to sewing, something that makes her feel good.

In addition to knowing more about the world of cats, which has been helpful in the development of her profession as a veterinarian, she considers the greatest benefit that she has gotten from being a member and judge of TICA is having met beautiful people and cats and having made beautiful friendships.

Alexandra Marinets (AB)
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Northwest Region

Alexandra Marinets has always owned cats and dogs, even though her parents weren't really an animal lovers. Except for the the time she was doing her PhD in Natural Sciences at the University of Vienna, Alex always had pets living with her. Alex started showing in TICA in 2006 and quickly realized that she loved clerking, helping to put up shows and just being involved in cat show productions. She started by showing and breeding Ragdolls, then added another breeding program of Kurilian Bobtails. When she decided to become a judge, she also showed British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Abyssinian and a Chausie. She also quickly became Junior Exhibitor Liaison in North West Region in TICA and has lead the program in that region for many years.

Alex is a member of CanAm Cat Club which puts up one show a year in British Columbia, Canada. She is also helping with many other clubs put shows on in TICA. Alex became a judge in 2015 and is very passionate about her judging. She believes that every cat deserves to have something good said about it so she talks in the ring about every cat she handles. She also loves to discuss genetics, fun facts about cats or simply noting what makes each cat special.

Alex shares her home in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada with her husband of 30 years, their 3 children, 2 dogs, Ragdoll cats and a Chausie. She works as a Remote Technicall Support Engineer for Kodak, Canada doing software technical support. If she is not busy working or travelling to cat shows, she loves hiking, kick boxing and latin dance.

Tatyana Kalani (SP)
North Grafton, Massachusetts
Northeast Region

Tatyana Kalani has responsibly bred and shown Bengals in The International Cat Association (TICA) since 2002, when she was only 8 years old. Along with her mother, Sharon, they were instrumental in getting the silver Bengal accepted into championship status in TICA, showing the first and only silver Bengal to International and Lifetime Achievement Award status. She has also shown an International Award winning Somali and a regional winning Singapura, along with several region-winning Bengals and Household Pets. Tatyana has enjoyed conditioning and agenting other breeds such as Maine Coons, Siamese, American Bobtails, Sphynx, and Himalayans.

Tatyana became heavily involved in clerking by the age of 10, and through the development and implementation of the TICA Junior Exhibitor Program, graduated with the first International Junior Exhibitor Achievement Award with Distinction in 2010. This accomplishment allowed Tatyana to fulfill all her requirements to apply for the TICA Judge’s Program once she was over 18 years old. In 2013, Tatyana was accepted as a Trainee, and became a licensed judge in 2015, where she enjoys learning about the cats, and interacting with TICA members and spectators.

Although a California-native, Tatyana now lives in central Massachusetts with her household pet, Sarabi. She is currently a second-year veterinary student at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, where she is a candidate to receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health in 2021. Tatyana attributes TICA for fostering her passion for helping animals, and providing numerous experiences to help shape her interests today.

Aline Noel-Garel (AB)
Quebec, Canada
Northeast Region

Aline Noel-Garel became involved in the cat fancy in 1978. Living in France at the time, Aline started her foray into the cat world with two Oriental Shorthairs. Soon after, she began breeding Siamese and Orientals with European, American, and Australian lines. Starting in 1982, Aline was heavily involved in the discovery and creation of the Sphynx breed as we know it today. She also introduced the Sphynx as a new breed in the United States. After creating the Sphynx standard, Aline was instrumental in getting the breed recognized as an approved championship breed in TICA.

After working on shows, such as Pavillon Baltard, Palais des Congrès de Paris, with over 600 cats in France, Aline became a judge in 1979. In 1981, she introduced TICA to France and then Europe, serving as the Regional Director for Europe from 1981 to 2002. In 2002, Aline moved to Canada, where she now lives in the province of Quebec.

In addition to judging, Aline works with Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF), the only recognized feline studbook for purebred cats born in France. With LOOF, Aline verifies colors for the yearly 17,000 pedigrees in France, as well as verifying plus introducing the foreign cats imported to France from all over the world (about 900 yearly). She is in charge of genetic verification for LOOF, as well as the Judge Administrator, preparing all exams and tests for new judges.

Aline has the great honor to judge almost all over the world. She loves to discover new people and their cats, other judging styles, other cats and other countries.

Francine Madison Hicks (AB)
Lisbon Falls, Maine
Northeast Region

Francine Madison Hicks is an approved Allbreed Judge as well as a Ring and School Instructor. In 1995, she began showing cats with her 1st Ocicat and has shown the following breeds: Ocicat, Bengal, Maine Coon, Balinese, Oriental Longhair, Oriental Shorthair, and Persian. She has bred Ocicats, specializing in silvers for many years.

After clerking and serving as Master Clerk at shows for years, Francine became a TICA Judge in 2002 and has judged all over the world including Asia, Europe and South America. She considers it the best job in the world. From 2009-2015, Francine served as Northeast Regional Director. She was breed booth coordinator for the highly successful partnership between TICA and the AKC at "Meet the Breeds" in NYC. She is a founding member and the current treasurer of Nauticats Cat Club in Maine, which hosts shows in Maine, Montreal, Quebec, and Sherbrooke. In addition to cats, she was also a breeder of Italian Greyhounds.

Francine lives in Lisbon Falls, Maine with her Italian Greyhound Vinnie and her fabulous husband Mike.  When not found behind the judging table, she can be found hiking the New England 4000's.  She also enjoys fishing, reading, cycling and of course travel.  She is Practice Manager for Podiatry Care of Maine in Portland, ME. 

As a judge, Francine feels truly blessed to have the best job in the world!

Monika Dany (AB)
Alland, Austria
Europe South Region

Monika Dany’s cat fancy life started in 1990 in Austria at a Fife show - as that was all they had at that time – when she started showing her blue British Shorthair neuter. Soon she was asked to help out as a steward. In Fife then, the steward was the one handling the cats that were up for judgement – turned out that was a great way to learn a lot about all the breeds.

When she was clerking at her first TICA show 1996 – the first TICA show in Austria and the first she ever attended – Monika had a hard time just putting up numbers and marking the catalogue and not being allowed to touch any cats. So the obvious decision was she needed to become a judge so she may again touch all the cats! Pam Barrett agreed to be her Albreed sponsor and in 2002 she got her first judges license - the rest is history.

In 1993 Monika started breeding British Shorthairs and still does. For a living she is an engineer planning heating, plumbing, cooling and ventilation for buildings of all kind. She is interested in homeopathy and like to do creative crafts though the cats leave little room for that and kind of limit her projects to things that are useful for them.

Harley DeVilbiss (AB)
Austin, Texas
South Central Region

Harley DeVilbiss came to the cat fancy through his parents, Kay and Terry. Born and raised in Texas, Harley and his brother followed in both of their parent’s footsteps and competed in college sports. After they graduated, their parents were ready for a new hobby after supporting their sons through those competitive years, and combined their competitive drive with a love of cats to breed and compete in cat shows. After his parent’s support for many years in college, Harley returned the support and started to show alongside his parents. Inspired by his mother, a TICA Allbreed judge, breeder and owner of many international winners, and former TICA president, Harley worked to become a licensed judge, having a great time showing cats and making many new friends and “family” members throughout the cat world.

Harley had raised animals in 4-H so it was not a stretch for him to show cats. He enjoyed the camaraderie in the cat fancy as well and has been fortunate enough to enjoy many friendships around the world.  Since 2003, he has judged over 66,000 cats; flown almost 1.1 million miles; driven another 50,000 miles; been on over 1000 airplanes; and he has been away on the road for almost 860 days – that’s 2 ¼ years – WOW! 

Outside of breeding/showing/judging cats, he is an avid sports fan – specifically college sports – and even more specific – Texas A&M.  He has also followed his dad’s footsteps, and has coached youth football teams for the past 8 years.  His first players are starting their college careers now with many more behind them hopefully vying for college scholarships as well.  He love continuing to be a mentor to them as they grow and develop into great young men.

Kim Chenault (AB)
Hamilton, Ohio
Great Lakes Region

Kim Chenault started breeding Bengals in 1999. She had second best Bengal in the world in 2007. She became a licensed judge in 2011 and advanced to Approved Allbreed Judge in January, 2018. Her love of animals started at a very early age; she showed horses as a girl growing up in Northern Ohio and always had cats, dogs, rabbits etc. Kim also raised exotic birds for four years. She attended her first cat show in 2003 and the rest is history! Kim has judged in Asia, South America, Europe and all over the United States. She loves traveling and meeting new people and of course playing with the beautiful cats all over the world.

Before moving to Southern Ohio in 1998, she owned a small family run restaurant with her parents. She has also been a bookkeeper for several companies over the years as well as an estimator for a large steel manufacturing company!

Of all the positions she has held in her lifetime, being a TICA Judge is her favorite!

Laurie Patton (AB)
Columbia, South Carolina
Southeast Region

Laurie Patton has been a member of The International Cat Association Southeast Region since 2000. She is a TICA licensed Entry Clerk, Master Clerk, Head Ring Clerk, and Provisional Allbreed Judge as well as the Clerking Liaison for the SE Region. Laurie has managed numerous shows, including two SE Regional Fundraising Shows and SE Regional Award Shows.

In 1983, she purchased her first pedigree cat, a Birman. In addition to Birmans, Laurie has bred or shown American Bobtails, Maine Coons, Ocicats, Siamese, and Household Pets. Currently, she is working to bring the Aphrodite Cat, the giant cats from Cyprus, to the USA.

She also shares her home with chickens and dogs!

Laurie is married, has one son, and one grandson.

Jamie Christian (AB)
Toledo, Ohio
Great Lakes Region

Jamie Christian has been involved with TICA for over 20 years, serving as an Allbreed Judge, as a three-time-elected Board member, and as Clerking Program Exam Administrator. He has bred Bengals, Havana Browns and Sphynx. He has additionally owned/exhibited Abyssinians, American Shorthairs, Balinese, Bombays, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Ragdolls, Siamese and Savannahs as well as the occasional mixed breed love. He has been fortunate to earn many international wins on his cats over the years.

Jamie also has the fortune to have been elected by the members as the TICA International Judge of the Year for 2017, a true honor! Additionally, he holds a full Allbreed license in the World Cat Federation (WCF), and has served as guest judge for worldwide cat associations across the globe including China, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand.

Professionally, he has two management degrees - Culinary Arts (chef) and Restaurant/Hotel Management. Previously, Jamie held the National Feline Breed Manager position with Royal Canin USA for over 5.5 years, developing business by working directly with cat breeders and clubs from all 50 states.

He has had the opportunity to train/lecture judges in several associations, as well as exhibitors and spectators at shows not only about breeds and breed origins, but also about the origin of all cats and how their development and behaviors compare to dogs. He also trains on cattery and rescue management, mitigating risks of disease in the show ring (for judges and exhibitors), and more. Jamie's passion is to train on the psychology of cats, and how judges can use this to their advantage to help each cat have a better experience in the rings, and show itself off to the best of its’ ability.

He looks forward to everything he can learn in the cat fancy, be it from breeders, other countries, different associations, genetics lectures - if there is an opportunity to learn, he is the first in line to attend. He feels incredibly lucky that his hobby revolves around those felines that he loves so much! 

Steven Meserve (SP)
London, United Kingdom
Europe West Region

Steven’s journey into the cat fancy began in 1989, in Boston, when he saw an article on Bengals or “Toy Leopards” as they were called at the time. He met with a few breeders and eventually settled on a pretty boy that he named Alex. This cat was bred by the founder of the breed, Jean Mill. Over the next few years, Steven exhibited in the then NBC class or “New Breed and Color” at some of the biggest cat shows in the world, such as INCATS at Madison Square Garden in NYC, which helped advance the Bengals to championship status with TICA in 1991. He continued working in NBC classes, as well as championship, moving the new colors and patterns, like marble and seal lynx points quickly into championship a few years later. In 1995, “Mowglis Wild River”, a brown-marble boy, was the first Bengal International Winner.

Currently Steven resides in London, United Kingdom and Lisbon, Portugal. He is the owner of a Public Relations firm specializes in fashion, lifestyle and arts. He also is President of LondonCats Worldwide, which produces cat shows and expos all around the UK and Europe, with the next expo coming to central London in May of 2019.

Steven currently breeds and shows American Shorthairs and an occasional Scottish Fold. For the last two seasons, he has bred TICA’s kitten of the year, Stone and Striker. Steven shares his home with his partner of 10 years, two gorgeous weimareners, Amalia and Sebastiao, as well as his four cats.

Steven is happy to back again this year with Catsachusetts Cat Club, in his hometown of Boston.

*The Club reserves the right to substitute judges if necessary.