Debi Hilley

Director

Debi Hilley, the director of the IGA, is a groomer who has been the owner/stylist at A Cut Above, in Albany, GA since 1997. She is a former competitive groomer who has over 35 placements, including a Gold and Silver at Intergroom and group placements at the Atlanta Pet Fair. Several years ago she decided that teaching is more satisfying than competing and she retired from competition grooming. She has been blogging since 2008, and has written for numerous publications. Her blog has been nominated 4 times for a Barkleigh Honors Award for Best Blog and she won in 2015. She has written articles for Petgroomer.com, Groomer to Groomer, Groom Team’s Newsletter and Modern Styles magazine. Her blog focuses on speed tips and techniques so that you can Groom Smarter not harder. An industry speaker since 2004, she has focused on some very unusual topics, specifically wet shaving. With 3 adult children that she raised as a single mother and business owner, and now her 4 grandchildren, her life is busy, yet she loves teaching and it shows in her blogging.
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Lisa Correia

Certifier

Lisa is the owner of Bark ‘N Purr Mobile Pet Salon, out of Toms River, NJ. She was born into a love for dogs. From the first day she came home from the hospital, there were dogs in her life. Lisa and her family breed and show German Shepherd Dogs and have some of the top winningest dogs in the history of the breed. Lisa expanded her love for breeding and showing dogs back in 1993, when she attended and graduated from the Nash Academy. Attending trade shows was engrained in the students at the Nash Academy. From attending the trade shows, Lisa got bit by the competition bug! She has won numerous placements including Best In Show and Best All-Around Groomer with curly-coated breeds a specialty. Always looking to stay current, Lisa is a devotee to the new craze of Asian styling.​

Martin Ellis

Staff Member/Writer

Business Owner, Consultant Home state of Florida Contributing journalist Martin has over 12 years of experience as a Professional Pet Stylist. He has worked at several of the bay area’s top salons and an AAHA credited veterinarian clinic prior to opening his own pet spa and boutique. He has grown from 1400 sq. ft. to now over 4700 sq. ft. and a team of over 10 people and is hailed as both a leader and trend setter in his area. In 2014 he and his team expanded their menu of services to also include indoor doggie day care and over-night boarding. Martin has been a proud member of NDGAA for the past 11 years and firmly believes in continuing education in an effort to be a master of your craft. His grooming has been photographed for calendars. Customer Service and Time Management are two of the key principles that have continued to set his team atop in his market. Prior to his career in the pet industry, he was a Vice President and Sales Manager for a fortune 100 company. He is both an accomplished writer as well as video presenter for training and sales development. He took early retirement to enjoy a career of passion within the pet care industry. He is married and shares his home with their retired CH French Bulldog, Maybelline. His other passion is training for Ironman Triathlon

Nadia Bongelli​

Certifier/Educator

Nadia Bongelli has been in the grooming industry since 2009 and has competed in Canada and the United States since 2012. She was nominated for the Barkleigh Honors Up and Coming Groomer of the Year award two consecutive years in a row and won in 2016. Nadia Bongelli also went Rising Star of the Year at Intergroom 2016. Nadia has begun to explore her passion for educating others by teaching seminars and classes, including her popular “Contest Prep Seminar” and recently speaking at the T.O Grooming Show. She continues to look forward to her goals which include becoming an industry leader and educator and becoming a member of the Canadian travel team.

Marilyn Wainright

Certifier

Marilyn Wainright is a talented, award winning groomer out of New Jersey. She is deeply involved in the NJ legislation process and has worked with the New Jersey groomers association closely in their endeavors.

Daryl Conner

Certifier/Writer

Daryl Conner is an IGMS, a certified Petcare Dermatech Specialist, Master Pet Stylist, Meritus and Certified Master Cat Groomer. She serves as Vice President of the Professional Cat Groomers Association of America. She is the recipient of the coveted 2005 Cardinal Crystal award for Journalism and the ’06 and ‘07 award for Congeniality, and the 2013 Barkleigh award for writing. A frequent contributor to grooming industry magazines, pet related websites and blogs, she enjoys sharing hard-won knowledge from 32 years of grooming experience with others. Daryl's abiding love of animals and passion for her trade radiates out to everyone she touches through her work.

Billy Hodges

Writer/Educator

Brian Zehmisch

Jack of all Trades

Brian Zehmisch is the graphics designer, webmaster and all around help-out-Debi guru. He has devoted hours of time to making sure the certificates and other paperwork are done right and his errand-running skills are unmatched!own words