Meet Our Staff
The staff at The Paragon School of Pet Grooming is committed to providing students with an unsurpassed learning experience. Each instructor is highly experienced in teaching adult learners. The curriculum is direct, focused, and easy to understand. Students will learn from one of the most established training centers in the country with a strong reputation for excellence.
Meet Our Founder - Melissa Verplank, CMG, CEO
Certified Master Groomer, Video Instructor, Curriculum Development, President & Founder of Paragon
Melissa Verplank has over 30 years of experience in the pet industry. Her mastery of grooming techniques has won her numerous awards at both national & international levels. She has owned and operated multiple businesses including:
- A fleet of mobile grooming units that serviced the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area
- A grooming salon that grew into The Paragon School of Pet Grooming
- A luxury pet care facility called Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa
- White Dog Enterprises which publishes her award winning books, Notes From the Grooming Table and Theory of Five along with other educational products for the pet professional.
- Learn2GroomDogs.com, an on-line educational streaming video library for pet professionals.
She was involved in the ground level of the voluntary certification testing programs, earning her Certified Master Groomer title in the mid 1980s. Melissa was a member of the traveling team for GroomTeam USA – representing the United States in the World Team Competition in France in the early 90s. Later, she was the GroomTeam USA Team Coordinator, served on the Board of Directors, and currently sits on the Advisory Board. She assisted in the start-up of the International Judges Association and is an approved grooming judge with the United Showmanagers Alliance. Ms. Verplank is a highly sought-after industry speaker, contest grooming judge, author, and a two-time Cardinal Crystal Achievement winner.
Melissa remains active and very involved in many areas of the pet industry. She and her husband, Marc, spend time on their expansive Black Falcon Farm, where they enjoy spending time in the saddle with their horses. Together, Melissa and Marc enjoy all types of outdoor adventures including trail riding, kayaking, hiking, and diving. Melissa also loves healthy gourmet cooking. They share their farm with other furry family members including Maremma Sheepdogs and cats.
Joe has been in the pet industry for almost 33 years. Joe started in the pet industry as a 13-year old bather/brusher in a small grooming shop in the St. Louis area. After a few years, Joe joined the team at one of the most prestigious multi-unit pet resorts, Kennelwood Pet Resorts. There, he helped develop several cutting-edge programs and services including Deluxe all-inclusive Suites boarding, SHED-X Treatments, Doggie Day Care, an in-house grooming training school, professional consulting division, and eventually the company’s franchise offering.
When he left Kennelwood as VP of Operations and Director of Franchising in 2008, he joined the sales and product development team at TropiClean Pet Products. There he enjoyed accomplishments such as explosive sales growth with retail partners such as Petco, PetSmart, and other large chains and Distributors. He also launched products in a new sales channel at Home Shopping Network (HSN) as a guest host appearing dozens of times on television teaching home shoppers about proper pet hygiene. Joe left TropiClean after nine years to join Melissa Verplank’s team of businesses and recognizes how important Melissa’s vision of education is to the professional pet services industry. As president, he is positioned perfectly to drive new services and products to deliver on Melissa’s dream of elevating the industry.
Joe holds a Master’s Degree in Business as well as the honor of being a sought-after speaker and business consultant. He also spent several years as a Senior Lecturer and Professor at a private University in St. Louis. Joe and his wife have two amazing adult sons. Joe and Deanna live in St. Louis and share their home with their Shih-Tzu “Vinnie” who has them wrapped around his paw for sure!
Lorri graduated from Paragon in 1993. In her career spanning 25 years, she has worked in high-end salons, as well as owned and operated her own salon. Lorri also worked in corporate grooming environments, running the district of Michigan and Indiana for PetSmart Grooming.
She earned her Certified Master Groomer status through International Professional Groomers, Inc. (IPG). Lorri is an award-winning stylist in Sporting and Terrier groups and has also done a bit of conformation showing.
Lorri is a firm believer and advocate of the benefits of education and has attended many professional workshops and seminars to continue to hone her skills. She has helped create curriculum and taught students at Paragon for almost a decade.
Lorri and her husband have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. They share their home with 2 Aussies and a Welsh Terrier. Her Aussies keep her young and you can often find her enjoying the outdoors and hiking.
Cara began her professional grooming career in 2007. As the former owner of two mobile grooming businesses, she dedicated her career to building strong relationships with her grooming clients & their owners, which she thrived on. Her journey in the animal care industry didn’t stop there—she graduated top of her class while earning an associate degree in Veterinary Science and completed an internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. She also worked as a veterinary technician, including time in an emergency room.
She later transitioned into pet aftercare, starting as a Client Integrations Specialist before being promoted to Marketing Project Manager. Additionally, she served as the Director of Operational Excellence for a pet daycare, boarding, and grooming company. In 2024, she took on the role of Director of Operations for Paragon, further expanding her impact on the industry.
Beyond the animal care world, Cara also co-owned a nutroll bakery, bringing her entrepreneurial spirit to a different kind of craft.
When she’s not building connections in business, Cara enjoys life in the mountains. Inspired by her favorite author, Luci Swindoll, who wrote, “A life of adventure is ours for the taking,” she and her husband of 16+ years strive to embrace each day as a gift of adventure. They share their home with a playful German Shepherd, Lemtov, and a Sphynx cat named Mita. An avid hiker, horse rider, and mountain biker, she takes every opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.
Jodi holds over a decade in sales & customer service experience, having worked in retail management and the real estate industry. She lives in Michigan with her partner and their two cats, Juno and Lilah. When she’s not working, Jodi enjoys traveling with her partner and exploring the local food scene. She’s an avid reader and spends her downtime hosting dinners with friends.
Holly started in the pet industry in 2016 with Pet Supplies Plus, working her way up from Team Member to Store Team Leader, where she managed a grooming salon. She mentored students through the Paragon Program and helped open franchise locations in North Carolina.
With expertise in pet nutrition, wellness, rescues, training, and veterinary care, she is also a Certified Canine Esthetician. Initially pursuing a Veterinary Technician Certification, she later shifted her career focus.
In December 2022, Holly joined the Paragon Operations Team and was promoted to Senior Operations Manager in February 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (HR & Accounting, 2024).
Holly lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, three dogs, and three cats and enjoys reading and writing in her free time.
Shelley graduated from The Paragon School of Pet Grooming in 2008. With over a decade of experience in grooming salons, she continually enhances her skills through grooming shows, seminars, and classes. In 2019, Shelley transitioned to become a grooming instructor at The Paragon School of Pet Grooming and now serves as a Program Specialist for Paragon’s Distance Learning Program.
Outside of work, Shelley enjoys the company of her Boston Terrier, Kingston, and her Pug/Shih Tzu mix, Avex.
With 16 years in the grooming industry, Priscilla has built a career rooted in expertise, leadership, and a passion for pet care. She began her journey with Paragon as a mentor, quickly earning a promotion to Operations Specialist. Priscilla owns and operates a thriving grooming business in North Carolina, which was recognized as Neighborhood Business of the Year in its very first year.
Priscilla holds an associate degree in Business Management and is certified in Equine Technology and Veterinary Assisting. She is also AKC SAFE certified, further demonstrating her commitment to safety and excellence in grooming.
Outside of work, Priscilla enjoys spending time with her husband and son, whether they’re in the woods hunting or in the show ring competing in AKC events with their dogs. Her deep-rooted love for animals and strong business acumen continue to make her a driving force in the grooming industry.
Liz accidentally fell into the pet industry as a kennel assistant in her hometown during her junior year in high school—unaware that it would eventually become her lifelong passion. She first set off to university to study business (and kick a soccer ball around at the collegiate level) but quickly realized that spreadsheets weren’t her thing. A detour into pre-vet at a community college seemed promising—until she learned she couldn’t handle the “rainbow bridge” side of the job.
Then, in 2009, fate intervened when she stumbled into Paragon’s on-campus grooming program. What started as a happy accident turned into a full-blown career obsession. After sharpening her skills in high-end salons, she returned to Paragon in 2012 as a hands-on Mentor, guiding future groomers to greatness. She’s now a Certified Canine Aesthetician and just one poodle trim away from achieving her Certified Master Groomer accreditation—so close she can almost smell the freshly fluffed curls.
Somewhere in the midst of all that, she married her husband on 12/12/2012, had two awesome kids (2014 and 2016 models), and settled in beautiful Southwest Michigan. Her household is a delightful mix of chaos and cuddles, featuring two cats (Lynx and Azriel) with complete opposite personalities, an Icelandic Sheepdog (Jagger) who thinks he’s the king of the castle, and a Crested Gecko (Marshmallow) who is the most chill of the bunch.
When she’s not wielding shears or teaching the next generation of groomers, she’s likely to be found reading, hiking, cooking or fermenting something weird in the kitchen, or consuming enough tea to fill a small lake.
Sue began her grooming career at the age of 13 in 1968, starting with her first poodle. Soon after, her family started showing their first Borzoi at AKC dog shows, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in the world of grooming and dog shows. During these early years, she participated in Junior Showmanship and learned to groom and show a Wire Fox Terrier, a Smooth Fox Terrier, and a Newfoundland. By the age of 16, she was working with an AKC handler at dog shows on weekends and spending more time grooming in her family’s salon.
At 19, she achieved her AKC Handler’s License for showing Borzoi, Afghans, and her heart breed, Newfoundlands. In 1975, she got married and began raising a family. While dog shows took a backseat, grooming became her full-time career, allowing her to support her family while excelling in her craft.
Fast forward to 1999, with her four children grown and leaving home, Sue found herself burnt out and seeking a new challenge. Her sister, also a groomer, suggested attending a grooming show and entering a dog in competition. That decision revitalized her passion for grooming and launched her competition years. During this time, she won numerous classes, group placements, Best All Around Groomer Awards, and Best in Shows. The experience enhanced her everyday grooming skills and inspired her to offer new services to her clients.
While competing, she pursued certifications to validate her skills. She earned her certification from IPG and later achieved her Master Groomer Certification from NDGAA. She served on Groom Team USA for five years, competing internationally and helping the team win a Silver Medal in France. Over the years, she received several prestigious awards, including the Cardinal Crystal American Groomer of the Year awards for 2002, 2003, and 2004, and the Wahl Groomer of the Year award presented at the Westminster Dog Show in 2005.
After retiring from competition, Sue started a mobile grooming business called Best All Around Groomer with a Wag N’ Tails Elite Truck. The business quickly flourished, and she was closed to new clients within six months. After ten successful years, she sold the truck and returned to working in a salon, mentoring newer groomers and helping one of them open her own salon, where Sue stayed for five years before retiring.
Throughout her career, she has been honored to contribute to the grooming community. She became part of the Wahl Clipper Elite Team, traveling to shows, performing grooming demos, and sharing her expertise. She also began judging and speaking at grooming shows, with her most popular class being Handling the Difficult Dog. These opportunities allowed her to guide groomers through challenges and help them avoid the burnout she once experienced.
In 2020, Sue retired from full-time grooming but continued to travel the world for Wahl Clipper as their Lead Technical Trainer. She is also a proud mentor for Paragon Pet School’s online grooming program, helping students master the art of grooming. In September 2024, she was honored with the AKC Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions to improving the well-being of dogs and the people who love them.
Today, she lives in Georgia with her husband, their dog Calliope, and their cat Thackery. Grooming has not just been her career—it has been her life.
Jen is a fourth-generation groomer, continuing a family legacy that began with her great-grandmother, who established a Borzoi breeding kennel. She learned the art of grooming from her mother and aunt, both of whom have been in the industry for over 45 years. Since 1989, Jen has been involved in the grooming business in various capacities, bringing decades of experience to her work.
Currently, Jen manages a thriving grooming salon in Georgia, where she lives with her husband, three children, a rescue mutt named Bindi, and a cat named Hazelnut. Passionate about both grooming and education, she enjoys mentoring groomers in her salon, teaching pet parents how to care for their dogs, and helping develop the next generation of groomers through Paragon. In her free time, she loves to read.
Paragon mentor Brandy Reese began her grooming career in 1995 in Atlanta, GA. After learning to groom in Georgia, she moved to Nashville, TN where she furthered her grooming skills and became a national certified master groomer.
Over the course of her lengthy career, she has taught and mentored new groomers, worked as a grooming manager, and owned a successful mobile grooming business. Brandy currently owns Canine Design Nashville, where she styles some of Nashville’s most beautiful pups! She feels that the key to creating beautiful grooms is to pay attention to the small details. Every haircut is precision scissor finished, with the goal to bring out the best features in every pet. In addition to offering full scissor trims, Brandy also hand strips terriers and sporting breeds.
Grooming is her passion, and she holds a special place in her heart for geriatric pets and those with special needs. Brandy’s goal is to provide the pets in her care with the same loving kindness that she gives her own. She is currently the “mom” to 3 dogs- Rosy, a Boston Terrier; Leroy, a Bullmastiff and Erik, a Doberman Pinscher.
As a Paragon mentor, Brandy loves sharing the knowledge she has accumulated in her nearly 3 decade career with students. She loves interacting with new students who never fail to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the job! Her goal with Paragon is to help develop a new generation of pet stylists with impeccable skills and a love for the grooming profession.
Bethani has been in the grooming industry since 2017 and is certified in pet first aid and CPR. She has a passion for working with dogs and takes a patient, compassionate approach to grooming, always prioritizing the comfort of each pet. She especially enjoys working with nervous or anxious dogs, helping them build confidence and trust throughout the grooming process.
Bethani has successfully competed in both dog shows and grooming competitions. She has earned multiple National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) group placements with her beloved Bedlington Terrier and achieved a first-place win in a grooming competition with him. She has also placed in grooming competitions with a friend’s Standard Poodle, showcasing her skill and dedication to the craft.
Her favorite dogs to groom include terriers, Standard Poodles, and short-haired bath dogs. She finds joy in bringing out the best in each dog’s coat while ensuring they feel at ease during their grooming sessions.
Outside of work, Bethani enjoys knitting and crocheting, as well as participating in dog sports. She loves showing her Bedlington Terrier and competing in Fast CAT events with her dogs. Her passion for dogs extends beyond grooming, making her a dedicated and well-rounded professional in the pet care industry.
Since joining the pet industry in 2008, Tonya Smith is a passionate educator, mentor, and industry leader dedicated to shaping the next generation of groomers. As an instructor at Paragon Pet Grooming School, Tonya combines her extensive hands-on experience with a strong commitment to teaching best practices, technical skills, and professional development.
Tonya is the founder of LC’S Detroit Pet Salon, a premier pet grooming company in Detroit known for its personalized, one-on-one grooming experiences. Beyond her work in grooming, she is also a pet care advocate and the founder of LC’S Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on improving pet well-being through education, training, and global outreach.
A strong believer in lifelong learning, Tonya actively pursues continued education to stay at the forefront of the pet grooming industry. Her dedication and impact have been recognized nationally. She is a recipient of the Trailblazer in Animal Welfare Award from the Humane Society of the United States.
Through international travel to places like Ghana and Nigeria, Tonya understands the importance of pet care education on a global scale. Her expertise, combined with a deep passion for mentoring future groomers, makes her an invaluable part of the Paragon team. She is dedicated to inspiring students to develop not only their technical grooming skills but also their business acumen and professional confidence.
Brittney has been a professional groomer since 2007, when she discovered her passion for pet grooming while working in a corporate salon during college. She quickly advanced to salon leader, where she managed operations, trained new groomers, and developed a deep appreciation for teaching the art of grooming. Committed to ongoing education and industry excellence, Brittney is currently pursuing her Pet Skin Esthetician certification to further enhance her expertise. Outside of grooming, she enjoys reading historical fiction and spending time with her two daughters. She shares her home with four dogs and a Quaker parrot.