State veterinarian inherits AVMA treasury

INDIANAPOLIS —Dr. Bret Marsh is adding financial planning for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to a workload that already includes managing an $8-million budget and 150 staff members as Indiana's state veterinarian.

Marsh, 46, assumed a one-year term as AVMA treasurer during the group's annual convention in July in Minneapolis. He succeeds Dr. James F. Peddie, who retired after serving six successive terms in the seat (see related story in DVM Newsmagazine's August issue). The treasurer is charged with developing AVMA budgets, tracking investments and income, and steering the association toward maintaining fiscal responsibility.

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According to annual reports, AVMA has adopted a shrewd sense of financial security. Investments have earned the organization much of its $20-plus million in reserves and enough assets to run the organization for at least one year, AVMA records show. The association brought in more than $24 million last year and expended nearly $21.5 million for association's programs, salaries and various divisions. Marsh insists he's no stranger to large-scale financial management.

"I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge and new task," he says. "My experience in public service will be helpful. The AVMA's been on good footing, with good reserves and good membership numbers."

Early start

As the nation's youngest state veterinarian, Marsh brings with him years of high-level experience.

After earning a bachelor's in animal sciences in 1981 and doctor of veterinary medicine in 1984 from Purdue University, Marsh entered public service despite early aspirations to enter beef practice. He started at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health as a training officer in meat and poultry inspection and went on to direct swine heath programs within the state agency.

In 1994, then 35-year-old Marsh was named state veterinarian. The largely administrative role includes overseeing the state's animal health laws, implementing disease control and eradication programs, advancing food safety initiatives and administering other animal health programs.

State service isn't Marsh's only forte. He's served 10 years as an AVMA delegate and two terms on the House Advisory Committee. Most recently, he aided an initiative to overhaul the association's longstanding constitution and bylaws.

Numbers management

Marsh's knack for budgeting might aid his abilities to analyze AVMA balance sheets, which show last year's total liabilities reached more than $38.7 million, compared to $34.1 million in 2003. The challenges at the non-profit association are much like those facing the state, where funds must be stretched to fuel new and old initiatives, Marsh says.

"At AVMA, there are constantly requests for new programs as officers change," he says. "My job is to make sure there are resources to accomplish new goals as well as what's already in place. Trying to strike that balance is one of the greatest challenges."