PRESIDENT AND Chief Executive Officer of the American Kennel Club, Alfred L Cheauré, recently announced that the AKC board of directors had accepted his offer to step down as chief executive, effective from 31st December 2003.

Mr Cheauré sent the following statement to delegates, board and staff: ‘My primary goal when I accepted this position was to complete the process of change that was necessary to secure our future. Since this will be accomplished before year’s end, it is the appropriate time for me to step down and make contributions to the sport in other meaningful ways.

‘I intend to remain active as a delegate and also participate in the sport and with the clubs of which I am a member.

‘It has been a pleasure to serve as your President/CEO over the past seven years and I have every confidence that the AKC will continue to move forward’.