Pickering Team

The Pickering Family

At Pickering you can get expert advice about many things: feeding your pet and pet care, feeding your horse, planning and supplying your pond, selecting and caring for small animals, salt and fresh water fish, aquariums, trees and plants, chickens and ducks and even your lawn and pasture. We are dedicated to getting you the answers you need for the questions you raise.

Bill and Janna Cracas

Founders 1977

For over 34 years Bill and Janna have been dedicated to keeping Pickering a friendly family store that you can depend on for sound advice. Both involved in the local community, Bill has served as West Pikeland Township supervisor and Janna was on the local election board for over 40 years and volunteers at the National Historic Landmark, Anselma Mill. They are parents of Jim, Debby, and Susan and grandparents of Matthew, Erin, Tommy, Jack and Anthony...and two sibling kitties. Annually, Bill and Janna prepare and serve a much-loved Christmas dinner with all the trimmings to the entire Pickering staff.

Jim Cracas

Owner/Manager - Product Expert

Son of Bill and Janna Cracas, Jim has been with Pickering before he was tall enough to be seen over the counter. He is a great resource of product knowledge in many departments for customers and staff. A life tidbit, he did Navy duty on a nuclear sub. He and his wife Penny, Matthew , Erin and their dachshund Daisy, live in Chester Springs.

Randy Walker

"Chicken Man"/Poultry Buyer

Display Guru - Pond Expert- HR

Randy wears MANY hats, but he is known by many as "Chicken Man." He started at Pickering in 1997. An avid raiser of poultry, Randy took Pickering's poultry department to new heights. He and his wife Barb live on a farm with many animals. Musically talented too, Randy enjoys playing saxophone with the popular big band, the Swing Kings.

Diane Brunk

Customer Service - Receiving

Diane has been at Pickering since 1989. She and her husband Nate and children Tim, Steve, Sarah, and now Hanna have all worked at Pickering over the past decade.

Gail Carmichael

Coupon Tracker-Poinsettia Manager

Gail has been a valuable part timer at Pickering since 1996. Besides her customer service and secretarial duties, Gail and her husband John keep our poinsettias looking beautiful for the entire Christmas season.

Susan Hughes

Ordering and Receiving - Salt Water Fish Expert

Susan has been at Pickering since 1998. She is a wonderful resource for salt water fish customers. She and her husband George have 2 children, George, a junior in HS, who also works at Pickering and Kristin his elder sister. Susan enjoys walking their handsome German Shepherd Kody.

Sandy Forman

Customer Service- "Songster"- Pet Care Advisor

Sandy has a passion for serving customers and their pets. He's been doing it at Pickering since 2000. Upon entering the store, you can depend on his friendly "hello" and on occasion, hearing some free entertainment, as he spontaneously bellows out a song. He is very well read and knowledgeable about pet care and training. Under his personal care at home are:1 Siberian husky, 1 cocker spaniel, 1 chow chow, 1 rescued Chihuahua, 8 cockatiels, 1 African Grey parrot, 5 doves, 1 canary, and 3 cats. A zany menagerie, just like Sandy.

Tristen Holcomb

Warehouse

Tristan has been with Pickering since 2000, graduating from Great Valley HS in 2001. He keeps our inventory flowing. He has one older and one younger brother.

Jared Krantz

Delivery - Warehousing - Logistics- Reptiles

Jared has been managing Pickering's truck delivery logistics since 2000. He is originally from Southern CA and is the oldest of 4 brothers and 2 sisters. He and his wife Jen are the proud parents of beautiful Lily, pictured here as a toddler.

Kathy Vail

Customer service - Dog Treat Expert

Kathy has been with Pickering since 2001 and manages our popular and extensive dog treats department. She enjoys her own hair salon business and recently is taking great pleasure in her first granddaughter Caroline Dale.

Tom Rhoads

Customer Service - Pond

Garden Expert

Tom has been with Pickering since 2002. He is a valuable resource for pond and garden customers. Recently graduating from Elizabethtown College in Business Admin with a concentration in marketing and entrepreneurship, he is now with Pickering full time.

Kim Churchill

Small Animals Expert and Buyer-

Fresh Water Fish & Aquariums

Kim has been on the PVFteam since 2002. She is a knowledgeable customer resource for caring for small animals and fresh water fish aquariums.

Eric Naylor

Delivery - Warehousing - Logistics

Eric has been on the PVFteam since 2003 and takes good care of our delivery customers.

Doug Pomietlarz

Customer Service - Ponds

Doug has been with Pickering since 2003. Graduating from the Arts Institute of Philadelphia, Doug holds a BA in Business. He has experience in graphic arts and videography.

J.J. Loudin

Customer Service-

Garden Center- Warehouse

J.J.'s smile is contagious. He has been with Pickering since 2004. As a part timer, he helps customers and lends a hand in the warehouse and outside in the garden center.

Mark Yeager

Sales-Ponds-Fish/Aquariums-Warehouse-Lawn Care

Mark has been employed at Pickering since 2005, working part time while in high school and transitioning to full time after graduation. He brings retail experience from his family's local farm market, especially in the area of trees and lawncare.

Bonnie Gregus

Garden Center

Bonnie has been on the PVF team since 2006. She works with Bill and Jim Cracas designing marketing campaigns and updating our website. In spring, summer, and fall she loves being outside caring for customers and plants in our Garden Center. Bonnie enjoys riding, visits to Longwood Gardens for plant ideas, and singing and acting at Calvary Fellowship Church.

Beth Klementovic

Customer Service - Stocking

Beth has been with Pickering since 2008. She helps to keep product shelves looking good. She also is an elementary school teacher's assistant.

Dave Underwood

Customer Service- Wildbird Feed

Dave started at Pickering in fall 2008. He is a graduate of Coatesville Area HS and the CAT Brandywine program for animal science. Dave is pursuing becoming a veterinary technician.

Hanna Brunk

Customer Service

and Small Animal Room

Hanna has been with Pickering since 2009 but has volunteered here for many years prior to that. She has been Santa's number 1 helper with the Santa Pet Photo Day.

Sam Klementovic

Small Animal Room-Customer Service

Sam is a 9th Grader presently attending Downingtown East and Cat Pickering.

Natalie Marks

Customer Service and Small Animal Room

Natalie's smiling face can be seen in the Small Animal Room and around the store. She is an accomplished horse back rider.