Pierce College Agriculture Faculty and Staff
In 1947, the entire faculty of Pierce College was dedicated to teaching production agriculture.  Eventually the faculty became more diverse.  However, we still maintain a highly trained and dedicated staff in the field of agriculture.

Mr. Richard South, Department Chair
Professor of Horticulture
B.S., Southern Illinois University
M.S., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Mr. Gary B. Krause
Professor of Landscape Architecture
B.S.;  California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
California State Licensed  Landscape Architect
California State Licensed Landscape Contractor
Member - American Society of Landscape Architects

Mr. Len Markowitz
Instructor of Horticulture
Pierce alumnus, horticulture
B.S., Horticulture (Park Administration), Cal Poly, Pomona
Certified arborist, ISA
Certified irrigation auditor, IA
State Licensed contractor
State Licensed Pest Control Advisor and Applicator
Public works inspector, Landscape Division, Simi Valley, CA
Landscape Construction, Plant Science 818

Dr. Leland S. Shapiro, Director
Pre-Veterinary Science Program
Professor of Animal Sciences
Advisor, Pre-Vet Club
B.S., Dairy Science, minor in biology; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
M.S., Mammary Physiology (Agriculture), minor in Agriculture Education; California Polytechnic State University,   San Luis Obispo
Ph.D., Reproductive Physiology; minor in Agriculture Education; Oregon State University, Corvallis
 post-doctoral training in bioethics; Georgetown University, Iowa State University
                       biotechnology; Miami University of Ohio
Licensed Pasteurizer, State of California
Registered Small Animal Dietitian
Certificate in Goat Reproduction and A.I., University of California, Davis
UC Davis "Mentor of Veterinary Medicine"
Author of 16 books including 3 internationally published texts 

Awards and Commendations
"Man of the Year" Award, State Assembly (Assemblyman Robert Cline), State of California
"Professor of the Month" Award, L.A. Pierce College
 NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award, Austin Texas
 Commendation, City of Los Angeles, Councilman Hal Bernson
 Commendation, City of Simi Valley, Mayor Elton Gallegly
 Commendation and Lifetime Membership to ASO, L.A. Pierce College 

Professional Organizations
Ethics Committee (1999-2002), Work Environment Committe (2002-present)  L.A. Pierce College
The Dairy Shrine Club
Holstein Association
American Dairy Science Association
Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens
Zoological Society of San Diego
Association of Veterinary Technician Educators, Inc.
Gamma Sigma Delta (Honor Society of Agriculture)
California Agriculture Ambassadors, Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo

<>Mr. Ron Wechsler, Director
Equine Science Program
Rodeo Coach
Professor of Animal Science
A.S., Animal Sciences; L.A. Pierce College
Class A Vocational Credential; University of California, Los Angeles
City of L.A. Animal Services - large Animal Training Coordinator
Clinic Instructor - Horsemanship Safety Association, Inc.
Past Faculty Director - National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association
Past Board of Directors - Horsemanship Safety Association, Inc.
Producer of Pierce Rodeo - 34 years
Former Manager of Will Rogers Equestrian Center - Cal State Parks
Past Instructor - UCLA Extension - Mustangs "Living Legacy" - 14 years
Expert Witness - Equine Safety
Owner - Olive Tree Ranch
          - Wilderness Horse Adventures
Member
  Lifetime (Gold Card) - Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
  American Quarter Horse Association
  North American Horseman's Association
  National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association
  Emergency Equine Response Team
  Equestrian Trails, Inc.
  Montgomery Pass Wild Horse Herd (Coordinated Resource Management Plan     Member)
Awards
  Innovator of the Year (1987-88) - Los Angeles Community College District
  Mayor's Award - Tom Bradley
  County of L.A. Commendation - Equine Response (1996) - Calabasas/Malibu Wildfire Incident
  Commendation - Dept. Animal Reg. - Equine Response
  Commendation - Mayor Richard Riordan
  "Professor of the Month" Award, L.A. Pierce College
   Teacher of the year, 2002, L.A. Pierce College
Certificates
  1999 - Equitana University Risk Management
   Certificate in Equine reproduction and A I, Colorado State University.
   Certificate - Emergency Operations Oraganization - Bernard Parks, Chief of Police

Mrs. Elizabeth White, Director
Veterinary Technology Program
Associate Professor of Veterinary Technology
Advisor, RVT Club
A.S., Veterinary Technology; L.A. Pierce College
A.H.T., State of California
Outstanding RVT of the Year (non-private practice) awarded by CVMA 2000

Dr. Jana Smith, Large Animal Veterinarian
DVM, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
Residency in Large Animal Medicine (Equine), University of California at Davis
Clinician and Instructor in Equine or Large Animal Medicine at:
    University of California at Davis
    Kansas State University
    Tufts University
    Purdue University
M.S., Department of Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University
B.S., Animal Science & Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University
Special Interests include: horses, cattle, camelids (llamas and alpacas), goats, sheep, internal medicine, neonatology,
                                      geriatrics and gastroenterology

Dr. KaLee R. Pasek, Small Animal Veterinarian
DVM, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
B.S. Veterinary Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Veterinary Coordinator for the Ventura and Santa Barbara Veterinary Support Staff Association (1998-99)
California Veterinary Medical Association Emergency Response Coordinator for Ventura County (1996-99)
California Veterinary Medical Association Public Relations and Human Animal Bond Committee
Special Interests include: Feline medicine and behavior, human and animal relationships, pet loss and grief,
                                      paraprofessional education and training

Dr. Rebecca A. Yates
Instructor, Veterinary Technology
B.A.  Major in Zoology, Minor in Ethnic Studies. Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
M.A. in Biology: Study of tortoise physiology. California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, California
D.V.M. Emphasis in equine and small animal medicine. UC Davis, Davis, California
 
Memberships
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians

Accomplishments
2001 Featured in Animal Planet Total Zoo Series, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
1997 Recognized as a leader in community service (LA Times 5/8/97)
1997 Lifetime Achievement Award, Wildlife Waystation
1991 Research Associate, California State University, Dominguez Hills
1986 Biology Student of the Year, California State University, Dominguez Hills

Special interests
Reptiles, non-human primates, clinical pathology

Ms. Betina Loudermilk (click her for complete bio)

Intern at KEMI internship in Lexington, KY
Graduate LAPC Equine Studies
Private riding lessons (click here for details)

Department office
Vicki, department secretary
818-710-4253
Mon-Thur 8-12:00 noon

Mr. Russel Schrotenboer, Manager
Beef and Goat Units
A.S., Animal Sciences; L.A. Pierce College
B.S., Dairy Sciences; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A.I. technician, Carnation Genetics
GMS Evaluator, American Breeders Service
Member, American Farriers Association
 

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