Christian was born and raised in the bootheel of southeast Missouri, which is an area of the country that is rich in waterfowl hunting history. About nine years ago, Christian started Timbre Duck Calls, and today continues to produce a line of calls. In the winter, Christian manages his waterfowl outfitting service, Allen-Curtis Wildfowl Adventures, which is located in southeast Missouri. Being an Avery Territory Manager keeps him busy during the summer and fall. He has been involved in competitive calling for eight years and has been fortunate enough to win two hunting style World Duck Calling Championships, the Missouri State Championship and several other regional events.

Cray was born and raised in eastern Kentucky, where he was introduced to hunting at an early age by his grandfather. In his early 20s, Cray was introduced to hunting waterfowl, and it quickly became an obsession. Coupled with his love for Retrievers, he created Creighton Kennels Hunting Retrievers. In 1990, Cray began working with hunting dogs and since then, he has worked with competition Retrievers, gun dogs, companion dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs. He also has handled and judged in Super Retriever Series events and was one of four to judge the inaugural World Retriever Championship. He believes that the future of hunting and fishing lies at the feet of the children, and Cray wants to teach and guide our children to a love and respect for the outdoors, our environment and our heritage. One way Cray is giving back is by volunteering as a Den Leader for the local Cub Scouts; he finds this work very rewarding. These experiences allow Cray to bring a wealth of hunting and Retriever training knowledge to Avery's Pro-Staff.

David spent much of his youth on the Tennessee and Beech Rivers, where he began duck hunting before he could drive. Since 1998, he has missed only 11 days of Arkansas duck hunting. His two sons, Hunter and Justin, hunt with him as much as their school and schedules allow. David also manages "the Goat Farm," which is a well-known duck club that he put together for the enjoyment of his boys and other fathers and children. David has been asked to help in the development of dog training products that will assist others in becoming better trainers.

Jason graduated with a degree in biology from Westminster College and a degree from the University of Missouri Medical School. After a brief stint in Mississippi to complete residency in emergency medicine, he moved home to Missouri. ER work seemed the obvious choice to Jason, for allowing the most flexible schedule to spend time in the field. The ER is a fast-paced and exciting world, but still doesn't give Jason the thrill compared to mallards locked in over decoys, a big Missouri longbeard hammering away close by or giant Canadas lighting in your face. He enjoys competition duck calling and is heavily involved in training and hunt-testing Retrievers, which has effectively done away with any "off-season." His dog Moose became a Grand Hunting Retriever Champion and a member of the prestigious HRC 500 pt club last year. Like many other Avery Pro-Staffers, Jason enjoys sharing his experiences and knowledge with others.

Kirk was born and raised in Friend, Nebraska. where he grew up hunting upland birds and deer with his father and uncles. His passion for waterfowl started during his college years when his uncle took him on a field hunt for Canada geese. Although he still enjoys upland and deer hunting, waterfowl became his primary hunting interest. Currently he works as a fisheries biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, studying and sampling the Federally Endangered Pallid Sturgeon on the Missouri River. His spare time is spent training and participating in the local Retriever club and actively running AKC hunt tests with his black Lab, Ruger.

Waterfowl hunting in Mark's home area of Wisconsin was not popular when he was young because migratory bird numbers were down, making places to hunt very hard to come by. One Canada goose hunt on Wisconsin's famous Horicon Marsh, however, hooked Mark on goose hunting for life. Mark's love of teaching, combined with his wealth of hunting knowledge, provides a valuable addition to the Avery Pro-Staff.

Steve Mealman was born and raised in Lakeville, Minnesota. He runs his five labs in both hunt tests and field trials. He has also been involved in the Super Retriever Series, Great Outdoor Games and The World Retriever Championship. Steve titled his first dog in AKC hunt tests at eight years old. What really drives Steve's passion for hunting is being with friends and his dogs out in the field. He feels that there is something really special you share with a dog that is your hunting companion. As co-owner and operator of Firewater Lodge, Steve puts more miles on his equipment in a year than most people do in a lifetime. Also with his experience in manufacturing, he can bring different ideas on making new products and existing products better for Avery and its customers.

Troy Bailey lives in Hickman, Nebraska, with his wife, Melanie, and two children – daughter Taylor and son Trevor. Whether in the cornfields of eastern Nebraska, the rainwater basins of central Nebraska or along the central and western Platte River regions, Troy can be found chasing waterfowl from early goose season in September through the conservation snow goose season in April. He is involved in contest goose calling and captured his first championship in 2005 – the Nebraska State Open. Troy enjoys attending events and giving seminars as a part of the Avery and Zink teams, exchanging his experiences and knowledge with hunters from all over the country.