NAVTA partners with NAVC, seeks new executive director

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) recently entered into a partnership with the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)—an arrangement where NAVC will serve as NAVTA's association management partner. And now NAVC and NAVTA are finalizing a search for a new executive director. The position will be split 50/50, with the titles "Executive Director, NAVTA," serving the NAVTA Board, NAVTA members and strategic direction, and "Senior Manager, Veterinary Technician Programs, NAVC," overseeing the veterinary technician initiatives. The organizations announced plans to work together to develop new products and services for veterinary technicians, which may include webinars, conference lecture tracks, online courses and much more.

A time of transition

NAVC approached NAVTA with an offer earlier this year to form a partnership and work more closely together. The offer came at the right time for NAVTA, says Julie Legred, CVT. Legred has served as NAVTA's interim executive director since November 2012. And Kara Burns, MS, Med, LVT, has been serving as the interim communication director. Legred and Burns have both served as volunteers for the organization. Even with the assistance of other volunteers, the workload for serving a membership of 10,000 has been heavy.

"As large of a membership as we have, two people just can't keep up with it," she says. "NAVC offered to take over day-to-day activities."

A joint future

"This partnership will give us an opportunity to work together on continuing education options, webinars and unique offerings," Legred says. The organization is also exploring possible ways to invigorate the international veterinary technician community.