Aliosha Romero

I’m a lifelong cat lover and feline enthusiast, currently living in Iceland with my wife, our teenage daughter, and two wonderful young cats—a Cornish Rex and a Norwegian Forest Cat. Although I was raised in Sweden, I have a mixed heritage of Swedish and Peruvian roots. My journey to Iceland began through love—my wife is Icelandic, and we decided to build our life together here.

Professionally, I work as a team lead in the software industry, managing a team of nine in technical support. I enjoy the challenges and collaboration that come with leadership, but my true passion has always been cats. In fact, one of my very first words as a child was “Black Panther,” and that early fascination with felines has only grown stronger over time.

I joined the cat fancy in 1992 and bred Norwegian Forest Cats from 1993 to 2015, and Cornish Rexes from 2010 to 2013. I had my first litter in 1993 and remained an active breeder until 2015, though I’ve taken a break from breeding over the past decade. My experience with breeding gave me deep insight into feline behavior, conformation, and care—knowledge that has greatly informed my work as a judge.

In 1997, I took the first step into the world of judging by earning my license for Norwegian Forest Cats. I followed this with Sacred Birmans in 1998 and Maine Coons in 1999. I joined FIFe in 2000 and passed my first FIFe judge exam in 2002. Since 2019, I have proudly served as a FIFe allbreed judge.

Throughout my years in the cat fancy, I’ve had the privilege of attending and judging shows across various countries, meeting breeders, exhibitors, and fellow cat lovers from around the world. What continues to inspire me is the dedication of the community and the incredible diversity, beauty, and individuality of the cats we celebrate.

When I’m not working, judging, or spending time with my family, I can usually be found with a cat on my lap, appreciating the quiet companionship that only a feline friend can offer.

Aliosha, we hope that you and your family have a tremendous South Pacific vacation in-between your assignments.