Mike Safley  of Northwest Alpacas Ranch, has owned alpacas since 1984. Mike was past president of the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA), Alpaca Registry Inc., and was founding editor of "Alpacas" magazine. He has written several informative brochures and articles on alpacas, both on his own and on behalf of AOBA. He has produced a video, "Alpacas, the World's Finest Livestock Investment" and an infomercial, "Alpacas, the Ultimate Investment." Mike created Alpaca Fest in 1992 with Don Julio Barreda as the guest of honor. Mike has presented alpaca investment seminars nationally. He has dedicated much of his life and time to the alpaca industry.

Julie Safley  In 1991, Julie Safley opened Northwest Alpacas Country Store, the first retail store in North America devoted exclusively to alpaca end products. Prior to this she spent over twenty years in the fashion industry. Her roots in the textile industry date back to her great grandfather who owned one of the largest fiber producing sheep ranches in Oregon. In 1993, she initiated the first commercial spinning of alpaca fiber in North America and started Sharing Sources, an alpaca fiber arts newsletter. She worked as a volunteer for the next five years until she founded the Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America, Inc. She feels that promoting high quality alpaca end products to be the best way to market alpacas as a livestock investment. She has coordinated and produced over a dozen fashion shows which exclusively showcased high fashion alpaca apparel. In addition, Julie consults new alpaca owners interested in starting a retail store featuring alpaca end products.

Steve Johnson  joined Northwest Alpacas team as the Office Manager and Registry Coordinator in October 2003. Steve retired with over 20 years of active service with the US Marine Corps as a Supply and Logistics supervisor. Steve's background includes supply chain, procurement and financial management along with database systems and network administration. After developing the NWA database for herd management he was promoted to Ranch Manager. Along with responsibilities in the office, he maintains the alpacas.com website and also supervises the farm operations staff assigned with the duties of herd management, husbandry, pasture and irrigation and the Studmaster™ Breeding program. Steve often fields questions regarding the breeding program, basic herd health, transporting of alpacas and the Alpaca Registry.