Meet the Makers
Meet the Makers
Rooted in respect for tradition and fueled by a deep love of the sport, Wainwright Cart Co. brings together three co-founders whose paths all began with a simple truth — we love working with our dogs. Between us, we span decades of experience in engineering, craftsmanship, and the draft community itself.
From the workshop to the training field, each of us brings a different strength, but one shared belief: equipment should serve both handler and dog with equal care. United by that purpose, we build with intention — blending precision, durability, and heart. Every Wainwright cart carries the spirit of this collaboration, honoring the legacy of draft while helping the next generation of teams keep the tradition rolling forward.
Julie Bacon — Co-Founder, Brand & Soft Goods.
Julie Bacon imagined Wainwright Cart Co. to bring heritage-inspired gear and modern functionality to the world of dog draft. A longtime Bernese Mountain Dog handler and draft judge for the BMDCA, Julie has spent many years in the sport as a competitor, organizer, and contributor — experience that gives her a deep understanding of what handlers actually need in the field.
With more than 30 years of senior-level marketing and brand leadership, she brings an uncommon mix of professional expertise and dog-sport know-how to Wainwright. Her focus is on soft goods that work hard — from harness bags to storage solutions — designed to keep equipment organized, protected, and ready for the next test.
Beyond product design, Julie ensures the brand remains a resource for the community: keeping education at the forefront, listening closely to handlers, and carrying forward the draft tradition with equal parts respect and innovation.
Susan Van Ocker — Co-Founder, Operations & Finance.
With nearly three decades in the sport of draft, Susan Van Ocker brings both experience and passion to Wainwright Cart Co. As a BMDCA Draft Judge and accomplished Bernese Mountain Dog handler, she has earned 32 draft titles across 10 dogs — a record that reflects her deep commitment to the discipline.
Before co-founding Wainwright, Susan spent more than 30 years with a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company, holding leadership roles in technical and quality management. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.E. in Environmental Process Engineering.
At Wainwright, Susan oversees operations and finance, applying her corporate expertise to ensure precision, consistency, and care in every aspect of the business. A lifelong horsewoman with extensive harness and driving experience, she bridges her equine background and love of dogs to help preserve and advance the craft of draft.
Bill Van Ocker — Co-Founder, Engineering & Operations.
With more than 45 years of engineering and design expertise, Bill Van Ocker leads the engineering and operations efforts at Wainwright Cart Co. Along the way, he founded his own design firm, Phase One Technologies, Inc., where for more than 30 years he developed a wide range of products and automated systems for commercial clients — experience that now supports Wainwright’s mission to refine and improve every cart we produce.
Before launching his firm, Bill managed an engineering design team at a Fortune 500 company, honing his skills in innovation, problem-solving, and precision.
Married to “a certain Bernese Mountain Dog enthusiast” for over 35 years, Bill brings both technical mastery and an insider’s understanding of the sport to his role. His engineering insight ensures that every Wainwright cart combines craftsmanship, durability, and the thoughtful functionality handlers depend on.
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