Our Board

The IPPGA board members are all non-paid volunteers that are dedicated to uplifting the Pet Grooming Industry in Illinois. Our board consists of professionals with extensive and varied experiences and knowledge allowing for a well-rounded approach to our industry and the general Pet Industry. We strive to represent a variety of grooming business models as well as different areas of our state.

Our officers:

Hollus Gessler, President, Treasurer & Website Coordinator

Hollus has over 20 years pet industry experience within the veterinarian field, retail arena and professional grooming. She owns, operates and professionally grooms at one of the Wigglyville Pet Boutique shops.

Lisa Herbold, ICMG, CAH, Master Pet Aesthetician, Vice President

Lisa Herbold has over 30 years experience As professional groomer and Veterinarian Assistant. She earned her title of International Certified Master Groomer, Companion Animal Hygienist and began winning competitions. Lisa has also managed grooming salons, and worked as a technician in traditional veterinary practices, specialty and emergency medicine. Lisa taught in a NAVTA accredited veterinary assistant program for 7 years, 2 different grooming schools and is now in the process of opening her own grooming school.

Sheryl Woods, Secretary

Sheryl is co-president of the IPPGA and owns Wet Whisker Cat Grooming, a holistic oriented & cat exclusive house call grooming business in DuPage County. She started grooming in 2009 and has taught locally & nationally. She is a co-founder of the Holistic Cat Groomers Alliance and was a regular speaker at The Cat Grooming Symposiums. Sheryl runs the Holistic Cat Grooming Facebook group.

Our Contributing Board Members:

Barb Abbott

Barb has been professionally grooming for over 35 years and opened her own grooming shop in 1998 and has spent several years involved with AKC. She has been a long time member and officer in the Danville, Illinois kennel club, been an AKC ring steward and has participated in AKC confirmation and obedience shows. Barb has also raised and trained AKC mastiffs for over 15 years.

Janett Ascencio

8 years ago, Janett transitions from a special needs educator to becoming a professional pet groomer and salon owner.  Currently, Janett grooms and manages her Chicago Southwest Side salon, Anchored Paws which specializes in working with challenging dogs and creating a fear free environment.