AAHA names new executive director

Denver, Colo.

-- Mike Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP, has been named the new executive director of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Cavanaugh was chosen to replace 23-year executive director John Albers following a four-month search by the AAHA Board of Directors. He will assume his new position Jan. 21.

"I am very pleased with the choice of Dr. Cavanaugh as AAHA's new executive director. He has an extensive history of accomplishments in veterinary medicine and is well-suited to lead AAHA and maintain the high standards the association has set," says AAHA President John Tait. "Mike possesses the leadership, innovative qualities, ethics, communication skills and analytic abilities to implement the direction of the Board and make decisions in the members' best interests."

A graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cavanaugh has practiced small-animal medicine and was a practice owner from 1988 to 1996. He has served on a number of AAHA volunteer committees, worked as director of veterinary hospital services for Pfizer Animal Health, for Heska Corp. and Hill's Pet Nutrition.