Paws and profits: Recent appointments in the veterinary business

Strong leadership in the pet and veterinary industry is crucial for sustaining business efficiency. Moreover, good leadership in the veterinary industry can improve the quality of pet care and pet products, and contribute to the professional growth teams in the industry.

Several veterinary businesses have recently appointed new leaders. Among those advancing in their careers are the following individuals:

Heather Pasquale, RPh, general manager of the U.S. Vet Business Unit for Royal Canin North America

Heather Pasquale, RPh, general manager of the U.S. Vet Business Unit for Royal Canin North America. (Photo courtesy of Royal Canin)

Royal Canin, a subsidiary of Mars Incorporated, recently appointed Heather Pasquale as the General Manager of the U.S. Vet Business Unit for Royal Canin North America. Prior to her new role, Pasquale led Vetsource International at Royal Canin and developed an independent veterinary pharmacy online. In her new position, her focus will be on fostering growth and support within the veterinary community, ensuring that Royal Canin continues to be a trusted partner in animal health and nutrition. Her new role will involve building stronger relationships with veterinary customers, broadening product offerings, and providing educational resources to veterinary partners.¹

"I could not be more excited to join the Royal Canin North America team, specifically to lead the Vet Business Unit for the U.S. I am confident my experiences across Mars and those roles prior to joining Mars prepared me for this great honor and challenge. With the amazing team already in place, I know we are going to make a tremendous impact on pets and the people who care for them,” Pasquale said in a news release by Royal Canin.¹

"Our business and our partners will benefit greatly under Heather's leadership, which will leverage her vast experience across the veterinary industry both regionally and globally,” Daryn Brown, regional president of Royal Canin North America, said in the release.¹ “She not only understands our current business and industry, but she has a keen understanding of future trends and will help our customers prepare for upcoming needs in pet care. Heather is committed to making A Better World for Pets and the veterinary industry as a whole.”

Alejandro Bernal, DVM, MS, MBA, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy

Alejandro Bernal recently became the new CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy. Bernal is an experienced Animal Health executive with more than 25 years of experience in global leadership roles within the animal health and pet care industries. Before joining Wedgewood, he served as president and CEO of PetDx, and previously led the consolidation and operations of a network in Europe and Asia of 700 veterinary hospitals, as well as Antech Diagnostics in North America, while serving as president for Mars Veterinary Health International and Diagnostics. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Universidad de Caldas in Colombia, earned a Master’s of Science from Texas A&M University, and an MBA from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia and Manchester Business School, United Kingdom.²

Alejandro Bernal, DVM, MS, MBA, CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy (image courtesy of Wedgewood Pharmacy)

“I am honored to be appointed chief executive officer of Wedgewood Pharmacy,” Bernal said in a news release.² “As the leader in veterinary compounding, Wedgewood makes it easy to treat animals with unique medical needs. I’m inspired by the opportunity to impact the future of millions of pets and their caregivers with Wedgewood’s products, services and insights.”

“We are very excited about the future of Wedgewood Pharmacy.” Kevin Vasquez, chairman of the Wedgewood Board, said in the release.² “[Alejandro is] a collaborative and solution-focused leader who will continue the company’s commitment to innovation and care for the health of animals.”

Anthony Loomis, DVM, group vice president for VCA Animal Hospitals

Anthony Loomis, DVM, group vice president for VCA Animal Hospitals. (Photo courtesy of VCA Animal Hospitals)

VCA Animal Hospitals, a national network of hometown animal hospitals, welcomed Anthony Loomis as its new Mid-Atlantic region group vice president. Loomis’ medical interests include small animal surgery, dentistry, and exotic pet care. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, Loomis enjoys leading teams and introducing innovations to advance the veterinary profession. Moreover, he is dedicated to enhancing the client experience and ensuring the wellbeing of the veterinary team.³

Prior to joining VCA, Loomis owned a practice in New Jersey and served as chief medical officer for PetVet Care Centers, a network of more than 460 specialty and general practice veterinary hospitals throughout the United States. Loomis received his degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. His career has included work with zoos, aquariums, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.³

John Boshart, BSc, vice president of veterinary API and business development at Brains Bioceutical Corp

John Boshart has been appointed as vice president of veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) business development at Brains Bioceutical Corp (Brains Bio), a manufacturer and pioneer of plant-based APIs. Boshart’s new appointment shows Brains Bio's dedication to harnessing pharmaceutical knowledge and research to propel animal health care forward, according to the company.⁴ The division will use the company’s proprietary cannabinoid science to produce cannabinoid products tailored for veterinary use. This blend of scientific expertise and “legal empowerment” establishes a strong framework for innovation in animal wellness and health care, according to the release.⁴

"Leading this dynamic initiative at Brains Bio is an exhilarating opportunity to apply both my industry experience and our company’s unique capabilities toward advancing animal health care globally,” Boshart said in an organizational release.⁴ “Our division is uniquely positioned to spearhead significant developments in veterinary health, driven by a combination of scientific excellence, robust licensing, and strategic partnerships. The potential to transform how health care is delivered to animals is tremendous, and I am committed to ensuring we achieve substantial and meaningful impacts as well as robust growth."

"By enhancing our veterinary health division, we are not just expanding; we are redefining the role of innovative solutions in the veterinary landscape. Under the seasoned leadership of John Boshart and supported by our unmatched scientific resources, we are poised to set new benchmarks in the industry. This expansion represents a significant stride towards our vision of making a global impact by providing groundbreaking solutions to the critical health challenges facing animals worldwide," Ricky Brar, CEO of Brains Bio, said in the release.⁴

Scott Hansen, CEO of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority

Scott Hansen, CEO of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. (Photo courtesy of New England Times)

The board of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), the regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemical products of the Australian government, recently named Scott Hanson its new CEO. The appointment will be a 5-year term and is scheduled to begin on July 24, 2024. Murray Watt, minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, stated that Hansen was chosen by the board as the most qualified candidate for CEO after a merit-based selection process, according to a news article.⁵

Before his election as APVMA’s new CEO, Hansen was the director general of New South Wales (NSW) Department of Primary Industries, which manages statewide initiatives, including research and development to expand agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors, as well as overseeing regulations and administration of biosecurity, food safety, animal welfare, and hunting in NSW. Prior to that, he was the managing director of MEAT and Livestock Australia.⁵

“Mr Hansen is an experienced leader with more than three decades of experience in managing large and complex organizations in primary industries,” Watt said in a news release,⁶ adding that Hansen “also has a strong track record in driving innovation and culture change to lift performance.”

References

1. Royal Canin North America names Heather Pasquale general manager, U.S. Vet Business Unit for Royal Canin North America. News release. Royal Canin. July 2, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-canin-north-america-names-heather-pasquale-general-manager-us-vet-business-unit-for-royal-canin-north-america-302187166.html
2. Wedgewood announces CEO retirement and appointment of new CEO. News release. Wedgewood Pharmacy. July 2, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240702622654/en/Wedgewood-Announces-CEO-Retirement-and-Appointment-of-New-CEO
3. VCA appoints Dr. Anthony Loomis as new GVP for Mid Atlantic. News release. VCA Animal Hospitals. May 29, 2024.
4. Brains Bioceutical announces the addition of industry veteran John Boshart to its animal health division. News release. Brains Bioceutical Corp. May 6, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2024/05/06/2875638/0/en/Brains-Bioceutical-Announces-the-Addition-of-Industry-Veteran-John-Boshart-to-its-Animal-Health-Division.html
5. Edwards L. New CEO and board chair for APVMA. New England Times. July 12, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.netimes.com.au/2024/07/12/new-ceo-and-board-chair-for-apvma/
6. APVMA back on track with new appointments. News release. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry. July 12, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://minister.agriculture.gov.au/watt/media-releases/apvma-back-track-new-appointments