Paws and profits: Spotlighting veterinary business promotions in the finance sector

Veterinary business leaders play a crucial role in ensuring the effective management of the practice or company. Their strategic vision drives growth, innovation, and sustainability within the industry, ultimately impacting the health and well-being of countless animals and their owners.

Finance executives within the veterinary industry are instrumental in managing fiscal resources, optimizing budget allocations, and ensuring financial compliance. Their expertise enables veterinary industry companies to make informed decisions, navigate economic challenges, and invest in essential resources, thereby facilitating long-term success and stability in animal healthcare.

Various veterinary businesses and organizations recently announced new promotions and appointments within their finance division. The following individuals are among those making career advancements:

Viral Patel, MBA, vice president of finance for Royal Canin North America

Viral Patel, MBA, to vice president of finance for Royal Canin North America. (Photo courtesy of Royal Canin)

Royal Canin North America, a division of Mars, Incorporated, has promoted Viral Patel, MBA, to vice president of finance and will now be responsible for accelerating a growth and value creation journey for the company.¹

"I am thrilled to take on this new role and to continue living our purpose of creating ‘A Better World for Pets,’" said Patel in a company release.1 "It's an honor to join this group of dynamic and collaborative leaders, while applying my learnings and successes within the Veterinary Business Unit of Royal Canin North America across the entire organization."

Patel joined the Royal Canin team in 2021 and, overall, has more than 14 years of financial experience within accounting, financial planning and analysis, supply, and transformation.¹

"Viral is a critical addition to the North American Leadership team, and I am excited for his future contributions in his new role. Bringing a sharp financial acumen, focus on developing talent, and a result-driven leadership style, Viral continues to play an instrumental role in achieving our brands' financial goals and continued commitment to meeting the nutritional needs of cats and dogs across North America," said Daryn Brown, regional president of Royal Canin North America.¹

Matt Earnest, CPA, chief financial officer of Veterinary Innovative Partners

Matt Earnest, CPA, CFO of Veterinary Innovative Partners. (Photo courtesy of VIP)

Matt Earnest, CPA, was named the new chief financial officer (CFO) of Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP), a network of veterinarian-owned-and-operated hospitals across 9 states. Earnest brings more than 10 years of professional experience in healthcare operations and leadership to VIP.²

“I am fortunate to join this dedicated and forward-thinking group. Together, we can continue fostering strategic partnerships with hospitals, ensuring thoughtful growth that prioritizes both exceptional patient care and financial sustainability,” Earnest stated in a news release.² “I look forward to empowering veterinarians to deliver the best possible outcomes while optimizing clinic operations, further strengthening the foundation for both VIP and our partner hospitals.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt Earnest to the VIP team as our Chief Financial Officer. He brings a wealth of finance and accounting expertise that uniquely positions him to contribute to the strategic growth of our organization,” said Chris Bishop, CEO at VIP.²

Garry Lowenthal, CFO of PetVivo Holdings Inc

Garry Lowenthal, CFO of PetVivo Holdings Inc. (Photo courtesy of PetVivo Holdings Inc)

Garry Lowenthal is now the chief financial officer (CFO) of PetVivo Holdings Inc, a biomedical device company for companion animals and animal athletes. According to a company release, Lowenthal has over 25 years of experience in senior operations and key finance management positions, both with private and public companies.³

“I am thrilled to join PetVivo, a company whose technology could truly enhance the lives of companion animals,” said Lowenthal in the release.³ “I look forward to working with the team to execute on the company’s priorities, accelerate growth and enhance value for all shareholders.”

"We are incredibly excited to have Garry join the PetVivo management team and provide his well-recognized expertise to further the overall mission of PetVivo. Mr. Lowenthal brings a wealth of experience to our team as an expert in leading the operations and finances of numerous private and public companies,” said John Lai, CEO of PetVivo Holdings, Inc.³

Ted Stedem, MBA, Global CFO of Mars Veterinary Health

Ted Stedem, MBA, Global CFO for Mars Veterinary Health. (Photo courtesy of Mars Veterinary Health)

Ted Stedem, MBA, has been appointed Global CFO for Mars Veterinary Health and offers more than 25 years of financial and operational leadership experience. As CFO, Stedem will oversee service and finance processes, operations, and ways of working across Mars Veterinary Health’s 3,000 veterinary clinics worldwide, according to a company representative.

According to Mars Veterinary Health, Stedem's expertise spans across finance, general management, business development, marketing, and strategic planning. His most recent position was CFO for Gopuff, where he the established the company's Finance Center of Excellence. Stedem has also held global senior executive positions at Panera Brands, WeWork, and YUM! Brands.

References

1. Royal Canin North America names Viral Patel, vice president, finance. News release. Royal Canin. April 2, 2024. Accessed April 5, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-canin-north-america-names-viral-patel-vice-president-finance-302105492.html
2. Veterinary Innovative Partners appoints Matt Earnest as new CFO. News release. Veterinary Innovative Partners. March 11, 2024. Accessed April 5, 2024.
3. Garry Lowenthal joins PetVivo Holdings, Inc. as the chief financial officer. News release. PetVivo Holdings, Inc. March 11, 2024. Accessed April 5, 2024. https://www.petvivo.com/news-1/garry-lowenthal-joins-petvivo-holdings-inc-as-the-chief-financial-officer