Banfield welcomes new management, veterinary leadership

Banfield Pet Hospital has ushered in new leadership with the announcement that Vincent Bradley has taken over as president and CEO and Daniel Aja, DVM, has been named senior vice president and chief medical officer.

Vincent Bradley, Banfield's new CEO.Bradley replaces Tony Ueber, who is now CEO at Results Physiotheraphy in Nashville, and Aja is taking over for Jeffrey Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, who retired from his CMO position last year but maintains a part-time role at Banfield focusing on academic relations.

Bradley joined Banfield in 2011 as a senior vice president of operations and has focused his time with the national veterinary practice network on hospital operations and field leadership. He also managed Banfield's partnership with PetSmart, which houses Banfield hospitals nationally. 

“It's a privilege to be given the tremendous opportunity to lead this organization and our associates whose talent and dedication inspire me each and every day,” Bradley says. “Our business is stronger than ever with a very bright future. I look forward to building on the great work that has paved the way for our continued success.” 

Bradley holds a bachelor's degree in international studies from Miami University and a master's degree in education from Harvard University. He began his career as a teacher in Japan and the United States and has served in leadership for a number of nonprofits, including the YMCA. Immediately before joining Banfield, Bradley worked as executive leader and divisional vice president at Take Care Health Systems Employer Solutions Group, a subsidiary of Walgreens. He also serves on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Portland.

Bradley says he is looking forward to his tenure as CEO and hopes to encourage public service throughout Banfield.

“Looking forward, I'm focused on deepening our partnership with clients and their pets by offering the highest-quality preventive care in order to help ensure pets receive the services they need to live healthy lives,” Bradley says. “I am also incredibly committed to developing our associates by providing time and opportunities to give back to the their communities as well as access to the training and resources they need to become outstanding leaders within our practice and the profession. ”

Dr. Dan Aja, chief medical officerAs for Aja, his new position will allow him to direct the strategic medical leadership for Banfield, help with new veterinarian recruitment, and cultivate additional partnerships for Banfield within the veterinary profession.

“Banfield has been at the forefront of preventive care within the veterinary profession for the past two decades,” says Aja. “I'm excited to work with and represent veterinary professionals who are dedicated to making a better world for pets every day.”

Aja previously served as director of U.S. professional and veterinary affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition, where he was responsible for the U.S. veterinary division, and joined Banfield as senior vice president of medical operations in April 2014.

Aja earned his veterinary degree from the Michigan State University and spent 21 years as owner and director at Cherry Bend Animal Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan. He has served as a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates, State Legislative and Regulatory Issues Task Force and Strategic Planning committee; was appointed by the governor of Michigan to the state board of veterinary medicine; and was elected in 2005 as the president of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Aja says his goal is to expand Banfield's involvement within the veterinary profession.

“One of my goals as chief medical officer is to further build Banfield's presence in the veterinary community through partnerships with organizations like NAVC, supporting students via the Student AVMA and our involvement in the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative,” he says.

As the world's largest veterinary practice, Banfield has a responsibility to contribute to and help steward the overall profession, Aja continues. “In addition to increasing our doctors' engagement within the profession, we are also working to give our associates the opportunity to give back to their local communities,” he says. “We are not only passionate about high-quality preventive care, but also making sure we do our part to make the world a better place for pets and the people who love and care for them.”