Regional Director
Michelle Kutelis

When not at home with the dogs and her 5 year old daughter, Michelle works at an Animal Emergency Clinic as a Veterinary Technician, and tries to keep the dogs and family quiet long enough to write books. Always an avid dog lover, she had to be satisfied showing Arabian Horses until she started college and could finally get a German Shepherd.

A United Schutzhund Clubs of America member for the last 10 years, she has been a member of the Southwestern Region and the New England Region with her husband, who is also active in the sport. She has trained and titled 4 dogs, and competed in the 2005 USA National SchH 3 Championships with a dog she raised from a puppy. She is close to obtaining her Gold Sports Medal, and plans to complete that this year.

Michelle and her husband are both members of Southwest Working Dog Association. In addition to Schutzhund, she also races and lure courses her Whippets.

Marie first joined USA in August of 1995 with a pet German Shepherd which she had put a CD on and had done protection training with.  That was Beck's, her first dog that she put a BH and SchH1 on under Bill Fields.  Beck's was also the first Therapy Dog allowed at CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County) and that was a huge deal as the head trainer did not know the dog was also being worked in schutzhund. Her accomplishments include 6 BH titles, 5 - SchH 1, 2 - Sch 2 and a SchH 3 title with a BHOT (breeder, handler, owner, trained) dog.  Marie has been a member of Golden State Schutzhund Club since the beginning and has held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President.  She came to the Regional Board approximately 6 years ago as the Secretary (thanks, Roanna) then held the office of Treasurer and now Assistant Regional Director. 

Marie believes in the German Shepherd Dog as a whole dog, and truly enjoys working with them.  She has been on the USA Nomination Committee for 2 years and looks forward to being considered again for this position. Marie feels that we truly need to find members in our organization that are in it for the good of the dog and not the individual. 

Nathaniel has been Involved in schutzhund for about 14 years and has been a USA Member for 13 years. He's held many previous USA, Regional and local offices including Vice President (United Schutzhund Clubs of America), Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director for the Southwestern Region and is currently a USA Member at large. He is a member of and Training Director for Southwest Working Dog Association and a Helper and member of Sunland Schutzhund Club as well as a USA Performance Judge, Helper Program Director and Teaching Helper. Nathaniel has the support of his two sons and wife Susan who is also active in organizing and helping at their club SWDA.

Nathaniel has competed in over 10 national events and over 10 Regional Championships earning more than 50 SchH titles total with more than 30 SchH SchH 3 titles and 5 FH 1 , 2 times 100 v scores , 2 times FH2, and member of the SchH 3 club competing at 3 Regionals with a HOT. Noted accomplishments include USA Southwest Region Champion 2001 and 2007, USA Universal Sieger 2001,  recipient of the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Masters USA Sports Medals.