Al is Chairman Emeritus of the GFSA, and together with Al Foster, worked to keep the Veiltail alive in the U.S.  Al is a minimalist when it comes to raising goldfish - no gravel, decorations, etc., just a bare tank (and frequent water changes).  Over the years, more people have come around to his way of thinking.  Al's special interest these days is in "blue belly" fish, which are a form of nacreous fish which pass on this unique characteristic.