Co-President, Chela Grey -

Chela has been in love with llamas since 1988, when she purchased her first (and what she thought would be her ONLY) two llamas to use as packers. In 1990, after extensively studying the gentler philosophy of llama care and training exemplified by the TTEAM method, she began helping to educate llamas and alpacas and their people in the “arts” of handling and training.

She and her husband, Mark Kuehn, were married in July of 2005. Mark is an initially reluctant, but now “llama-smitten-city-guy”. They recently purchased 17.5 acres in Seabeck, where they are building a home for themselves and all the llamas, alpacas, dogs, cats, goats, chickens and ducks housed at their StillPointe Sanctuary, the non-profit llama rescue organization and educational retreat founded by Chela in 2000.

Chela has been a professional dancer, office manager for a Lake Union marina, Trust Officer at a bank, Administrative Assistant in the design division of a major hotel chain, manager of a health food store, and owner of a housekeeping business...to name just a few pursuits. Her final careers are: days caring for StillPointe’s family of animals, training and handling llamas and alpacas and performing herd management chores for others to earn funds for StillPointe, and evenings teaching Classical Ballet, Modern Dance and Musical Theater Jazz to students ranging in age from 8 to 60. She looks forward to being more involved in LOWS and its projects. Mark is a retired Navy Submarine Senior Chief and when he isn’t scooping poo, owns and manages a wholesale chai (“The Chai Guy”) and gourmet teas business in Bremerton.

Email me: chela@stillpointsanctuary.org

Co-President, Sylvia Angelilli

My first interest in Llamas came about 18 years ago, when I first saw them at the Puyallup Fair.  Shortly thereafter, it was time to buy a house and I insisted that I needed a little bit of acreage, so I could house 2 llamas!  Eventually, the perfect house was found, land cleared, shed built, and two little males were purchased from Carol and Mickey Potter.  From the very beginning these two little guys proved to be a constant source of comedy and company.  From the very first escape from their pasture into the neighborhood, to the annual ritual of raking leaves in piles only to have them roll in them, there’s never a dull moment around here!

Through my llamas, I have met a great llama community and wonderful people.  I’ve been a member of LOWS for about 14 years, and have seen terrific changes.  From the idea of building a $250,000 show arena to worrying about the needs of rescued animals, our views and feelings about the llama industry have come full circle.  One thing always remains the same, however – Llamas are the greatest and will always be my favorite.

Unfortunately, I have a high stress job in the Military community that forces me to travel frequently.  I am lucky to have close friends (the Prices), that have an alpaca farm literally around the corner from me, and can house my llamas at a moment’s notice.  It’s always so gratifying to pick them up, have them recognize me from the truck, and come running to me, ready to come back home.  Yeah, the alpacas are fun for a while, but home is better!