Meet the Authors
Here you’ll find bios and contact info for our talented team of blog contributors. We’d like to thank each of them from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to give us their thoughts and advice on veterinary practice management.
Martin Traub-Werner
CEO, VetSuccess
Martin Traub-Werner
Martin dressed up as a businessman for Halloween when he was seven. Since then, he’s spent almost 40 years refining his skills and honing his craft. Today he’s a dedicated owner/operator focused on providing the most value he can to his clients and colleagues.
Martin graduated from Cornell with a Masters degree in Strategic HR Management and he’s worked in a number of different industries for many large Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. Since 2010 Martin has been dedicated to the veterinary industry and in 2013 founded VetSuccess. VetSuccess is dedicated to unlocking the value of veterinary practice data for the industry. He has presented at national veterinary conferences and regularly speaks to veterinarians and practice managers about practice data and practice management and is a member of the VHMA and VetPartners.
When not on duty, you’ll find Martin on a spin bike or in his kitchen cooking up a storm for his family and friends.
Amber Barrett
Customer Support Specialist, VetSuccess
Amber Barrett
Amber has 16 years of experience as a Veterinary Technician, working with large animals, small animals, pocket pets, and exotics. Beyond her love for animals, Amber also has a passion for numbers and a background in forensic accounting. She went to Arkansas State University to get her Associates in Business and she interned at a CPA office before making her way to VetSuccess as a Customer Support Specialist.
Asa Pogrelis
Vice President of Marketing, Vetsource
Asa Pogrelis
Vice President of Marketing Asa Pogrelis has been with Vetsource since 2010. Drawing on his early experience working as a vet tech in suburban practice and emergency clinics, as well as his seven years in sales and marketing with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Asa brings unique insight into effective sales and marketing strategies in the veterinary pharmacy, nutrition, and eCommerce fields.
Ben Spinks, MBA, CVPM, SPHR
Hospital Administrator, Tipp City Veterinary Hospital
Ben Spinks
Ben has been the Hospital Administrator at Tipp City Veterinary Hospital since 2004. In addition to his role at TCVH, Ben helps other veterinary hospitals and small businesses run more efficiently through Branchworth Consulting. He is a 2004 graduate of Miami University (B.Phil.) and 2014 graduate of Wright State University (MBA).
Learn more at https://vetsupport.com/
Brandon Hess, CVPM, CCFP
Associate Consultant, VetSupport
Brandon Hess
Brandon has joined Tassava Consulting as Associate Consultant. He is an active member of VHMA and AAHA and is a founding member of the Southwestern Ohio Veterinary Management Association. He was most recently Practice Manager of the AAHA Specialty Practice of the Year. In his not so spare time, he enjoys travelling and scuba diving when he’s not in hot pursuit of a sports car to drive!
Learn more at https://vetsupport.com/
Brenda Tassava, CVPM, CVJ, VLCE
CEO and Business Consultant, VetSupport
Brenda Tassava
For more than 17 years now, Brenda Tassava has been showcasing her talents at managing veterinary practices and helping them grow. Her hands-on experience includes large animal, exotic, small animal and even diverse, multi-site practices—and each business she managed improved and developed under her watchful eye.
Today, Ms. Tassava shares her talents with a wider array of practices. As owner of Tassava Consulting, she travels throughout North America to help guide practices to greater success. In addition to on-site evaluations, she writes, lectures and conducts training seminars; many now focus on her newest passion, social media and technology.
She serves as immediate past Chair of the CVPM Board of Directors and is a long-standing member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). She is one of the co-founders of the Veterinary Management Association of Indiana (VMAI) where she now serves as an officer and board member. She is an active member of VetPartners and the American Society of Veterinary Journalists. If you haven’t yet seen it, pick up a copy of her book Social Media for Veterinary Professionals and learn how to spark new client connections and grow your business via social media.
With her tried-and-true guidance on how to grow a practice and her appealing approach to managing clients, staff and data, Ms. Tassava brings a unique and practical focus to VetSuccess’ future. We are delighted to have her on our team.
Learn more at https://vetsupport.com/
Chrissy McGregor
Veterinarian Recruiter, THRIVE Affordable Vet Care
Chrissy McGregor
Chrissy McGregor is a Veterinarian Recruiter for THRIVE Affordable Vet Care. She is passionate about veterinary medicine and has contributed her knowledge and expertise through numerous roles in the industry over the past 17 years. In addition to working at the hospital level as a technician, Chrissy has also held positions in Veterinary Sales, Sales Management, Training and Development, and Veterinary Recruiting. In her free time, Chrissy can be found on the volleyball courts and softball fields or planning her next vacation. Her other full-time job consists of caring for and doting on her 5 treasured, but extra needy pets; Bella, Aslan, Franklin, Ben, and Theodore.
Debbie Hill, CVPM, SPHR, SHRM-CPE
Hospital Administrator, Pet Care Hospital
Debbie Hill
Debbie enjoys all things management and has spoken nationally at Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Florida Veterinary Medical Association, Wild West Veterinary Conference and Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conferences. In addition, she speaks to several manager groups around the country each year and has been an instructor for Patterson Management University since 2008.
She is an active hospital administrator for a veterinarian with 4 practices in Florida. She entered the profession at the front desk of a one doctor practice in Denver in 1989 and has worked with 10 hospitals with 4-45 employees in 3 states, often as multiple practice settings.
In addition to this experience, her training includes AAHA’s VMDS, VMI and continues to attend multiple veterinary conferences each year to stay current in veterinary management. While her hospitals grew, she received her Certified Veterinary Hospital Manager designation in 2005. She is also certified in Human Resources as a Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) and uses these certifications to help manage her own teams. Debbie served 6 years on the Veterinary Hospital Manager Association’s Board of Directors and is the Co-Chair for the CVPM Board of Directors.
Realizing she has been privileged with a wealth of exposure to management experience and education, Debbie has a strong desire to share with others.
Denise Tumblin, CPA
President, WTA Veterinary Consultants
Denise Tumblin
Denise Tumblin, owner of WTA Veterinary Consultants, provides management, valuation, and transition services to independently-owned veterinary practices across the U.S. Her company authors the Well-Managed Practice® Benchmarks Study, and Denise is the co-founder and facilitator of the WellMP® Management Groups.
Denise speaks regularly at national and regional meetings on valuation and management issues and has authored numerous veterinary management articles.
Denise is a graduate of The Ohio State University and is a member of:
- The AICPA, the OSCPA, and NACVA
- VetPartners – serves on the Valuation Council and is a past Board Member
- Veterinary Team Brief Advisory Board
- AAHA
- The Capital Area Humane Society
Elissa Fesyk
Owner, Fesyk Marketing
Elissa Fesyk
Elissa Fesyk is the owner of Fesyk Marketing and specializes in building impactful brand identities and designing and managing custom marketing plans. With a background in event planning, social media management, and community relations, Elissa has traveled the world and put her skills to work for some notable companies including the US Olympic Committee and the San Jose Sharks. Outside of work you can find her spending time with her family in Edmonton, Alberta.
Esther Fraser
Data Analyst, VetSuccess
Esther Fraser
Esther Fraser is a Data Analyst for VetSuccess. She uses her degree in (you guessed it) math to uncover actionable trends in veterinary data. When she’s not doing that, you can find her experimenting with crochet patterns and baking gluten-free treats. To swap recipes (or learn more about what data can do for you), send her an email!
Glenn Hanner, CPA
Tax & Consulting Partner, Whitley Penn, LLC
Glenn Hanner
Glenn is the tax and consulting partner in charge of the veterinary medicine practice at Whitley Penn, LLP. He has over 30 years experience helping veterinarians navigate the complex world of accounting. In addition to being a CPA, Glenn is a Certified Information Technology Professional and a Certified Valuation Analyst. He is committed to helping veterinarians create long term value for their practices and to achieve their professional goals.
Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR
Director of Education, Encore Veterinary Group
Heather Prendergast
Heather Prendergast has spent over 25 years in the veterinary industry, with 20 years in small animal practice. She has taught several years for both veterinary technology and assistance programs and has authored the book “Front Office Management for the Veterinary Team”, now in its 3rd edition.
Heather is well known and lectures nationally and internationally and has authored several articles with the goal of developing leadership and management structure in the veterinary practice.
Currently, Heather is the Director of Education for Encore Veterinary Group. Heather serves on several advisory boards, including the WVC Board of Directors, Pet Nutrition Alliance, and the Fear Free Advisory Board. Heather also serves as Co-Chair for the NAVTA Veterinary Nurse Initiative. She has received Speaker of the Year awards for both 2016 and 2017 from the Western Veterinary Conference.
Jen Kowalski
Business Analyst, VetSuccess
Jen Kowalski
Every business needs a vision and every vision needs an exhaustive list of technical specs if it’s ever to become a reality. We’re talking copious nitty-gritty details that visionaries would rather not think about. Enter Jen.
With a background in engineering and a self-proclaimed obsession with minutia, Jen helps the VetSuccess team turn their ideas into robust, fluid and user-friendly products. And then there’s her “why not give it a shot?” attitude.
Outside of work, Jen’s willingness to try just about anything once has resulted in a diverse suite of hobbies that includes swing dancing, photography, axe-throwing, sewing, hiking, languages, baking, and yelling out the answers to Jeopardy questions. This talented individual is an asset to the VetSuccess team!
Jesi Tassava
Executive Assistant, VetSupport
Jesi Tassava
Jesi Tassava began working as an Executive Assistant for Tassava Consulting after graduating from Butler University in May 2016. She is also currently a graduate student at Michigan State University. Not only is she a real life “Millenial-in-the-workplace,” but she is also the pet parent to 2 cats, named Sierra and Opal, and a betta fish named Paul.
Learn more at https://vetsupport.com/
Jessica Petty
Executive Director, Retrieving Independence
Jessica Petty
In 2017, Jessica Petty left her corporate life in pharmaceutical leadership, including Novartis and Elanco Animal Health, to rest for one year. She’s now the Executive Director of Retrieving Independence, a nonprofit service dog organization in Nashville, TN, where her days are focused on helping individuals living with mental and physical disabilities regain independence through the unconditional love and service of an exceptionally trained dog. You can reach her anytime at jessica@jessicapetty.com.
Johana Beresky, MBA, CVPM
Regional Operations Manager, Pathway
Johana Beresky
Johana Beresky is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager with over 15 years of experience in the veterinary industry. She has presented nationally at practice management meetings and speaks regularly to veterinary owners and practice managers about strategic planning, marketing tactics, and data management. Johana has ventured into the entrepreneurial space by creating Bear Sky Technologies, a Seattle based management firm that helps micro businesses overcome day to day challenges by leveraging their use of technology.
In 2013 she received the prestigious Emerging Leaders Scholarship from the Veterinary Hospital Manager’s Association and is the Chair of the Marketing Committee for VHMA. Johana is also an active member of the Puget Sound’s American Marketing Association. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Cornell University and completed her graduate studies at Pepperdine University with a focus on Marketing Management.
Karyn Ekola, CVPM
Director of Operations, Vet2Pet App Builders
Karyn Ekola
Karyn started her veterinary industry career in 2002 at Riverview Animal Hospital in Durango, CO, and by 2011 worked her way up from kennel tech to hospital manager. Over the years, she played an integral role in leading the hospital towards greater efficiency and technological advancements, by creating and launching new systems to improve the overall functioning of the hospital. She led the initiative to go paperless and succeeded in incorporating technology into daily business success.
Karyn began working with Vet2Pet in 2010, assisting with the development and launch of their mobile app. Karyn joined Vet2Pet full time in 2017, after sharing her time with VetSuccess as Practice Success Coach.
Kate Zirkle
Marketing Manager, VetSuccess
Kate Zirkle
Kate received a bachelor’s degree in advertising, with minors in marketing and psychology, from Kent State University. Her career has focused on marketing for companies like Cleveland.com and Embrace Pet Insurance, with the bulk of her experience residing in the animal health and veterinary industry.
Kate considers herself a lifelong learner and makes personal development a priority in her life while also remembering to laugh and have fun along the way. She shares her home in Cleveland, Ohio with her wonderful fiancé and a menagerie of animals. Beyond their own fur babies, they also foster cats and kittens and are passionate about animal rescue.
When not working, you can usually find Kate kayaking, traveling, writing, or curled up with a good book. She is firmly planted on Team Audiobooks = Reading and welcomes you to fight her on that.
Katie McClean
COO, VetSuccess
Katie McClean
Katie Sorrell
Customer Success Manager, VetSuccess
Katie Sorrell
Originally from Nova Scotia, Katie moved to Toronto to complete her undergraduate degree in art and art history. During that time, she took a part-time job as a kennel attendant and never looked back. Over the next decade, Katie worked tirelessly in almost every role a veterinary clinic has to offer. From client communication to inventory management, from cat wrangling to hamster anesthesia, Katie's varied experience in the veterinary world is certainly an asset.
In addition to finding her true calling in the veterinary world, Katie has stayed true to her artistic roots: she ran a small business selling her handmade designs and has widely exhibited her work across Ontario.
Katie one day dreams of owning a small hobby farm, with a wide assortment of animals. She told her partner on their first date "I love waterfowl!" ... and he stuck around! For now, they live together with their retired racing greyhound Wellington, and Chyna, the best cat in the world.
Kevin Keystone
Former Head of Product, VetSuccess
Kevin Keystone
Great software is a form of magic, in that it transforms ideas into engaging, delightful, and interactive experiences. Kevin first discovered this magic while geeking out on a Tandy home computer and Commodore 64. Today, he helps create it as the Head of Product for VetSuccess.
Ever curious about people and culture, he graduated from the University of British Columbia with a combined Honors degree in Anthropology, Public Health, and Business Administration. Before joining VetSuccess, Kevin honed his product management skills in various positions he held across a wide range of industries, including community services, public health, finance, education, accounting, food, construction, communications, and more.
Now, he’s honored to be helping practices take better care of their pets and the people who love them. Although he hasn’t yet persuaded his partner to get a dog, he dedicates his work to the loving memory of Dudley, his childhood Lab.
Kristen Clark
Product Manager, VetSuccess
Kristen Clark
VetSuccess Product Manager and self-professed data and UX nerd, Kristen uses her love of storytelling and her inquisitive nature to go beyond the numbers and show the full picture behind the data. She’s been known to nerd out over things like color-coded spreadsheets, trend lines, and solving data conundrums. Outside of work, Kristen can be found at one of the many film festivals or independent cinemas in Toronto.
Linda Whitehead
Marketing Consultant, Zuz Marketing
Linda Whitehead
Linda knows marketing. She really does. And she’s a pro. There is no such thing as a half-baked job. Her history is peppered with success after success in various industries. After consulting to VetSuccess for a year she agreed to spend even more time with us and we couldn’t be luckier.
Linda is responsible for all our client-facing communication. She makes sure that our website works, our emails are well conceived and optimized, our Twitter feed tweets, our blog is bloggy, that we’re thinking about PR, that we’ve got good sales support material… Her marketing talents truly know no bounds!
When not working with VetSuccess Linda chairs not-for-profit ventures, works with a few other companies to keep their marketing machines humming, cooks and entertains for family and friends, and is an avid traveler. Want to know her secret? Send her an email.
Lisa Yackel, CVPM, PHR, SPHR-CP
Associate Consultant, VetSupport
Lisa Yackel
Lisa Yackel is a CVPM, PHR, SPHR-CP whose life after work centers around her husband, children, and grandson. She loves the water, home decorating, and being with her Cairn Terrier/Jack Russell rescue dog, Jake. She has been in the veterinary industry for over 40 years and still learns something new each day.
Learn more at https://vetsupport.com/
Mary Ann Vande Linde, DVM
Founder, Vande Linde and Associates
Mary Ann Vande Linde
Helping people, practices and pet-related companies be more successful has been Dr. Vande Linde’s focus for more than 30 years. From her humble beginning as a mixed animal practitioner in Georgia to the world-traveled speaker, trainer and lecturer of today, she consistently brings her engaging and entertaining style and a passion for excellence to her work.
Her firm, Vande Linde & Associates, specializes in client communications, exam room training, conflict management and practice development. Prior to setting it up, Dr. Vande Linde directed training and educational functions for such companies as Hills Pet Nutrition and IDEXX Laboratories. She also served as director of organization development for a multi-hospital practice outside of Washington, D.C. Dr. Vande Linde was a popular speaker at veterinary colleges and technician schools, speaking on exam room skills and practice development.
Today, you are more likely to find Dr. Vande Linde speaking at veterinary conferences, conducting in-practice training or hosting her own executive retreats to help women leaders in veterinary medicine find ways to be more successful. She has recently been named to the Advisory Board of the Companion Animal Parasite Council. Adding her warmth, Southern charm and passion for excellence to our Advisory Board will surely help us forge innovative new approaches to helping practices grow.
Meg Oliver, CVPM
Practice Manager, Cicero Animal Clinic
Meg Oliver
Meg Oliver is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager at Cicero Animal Clinic, P.C. in Syracuse, NY. She is also a finalist in the Practice Manager of the Year Contest. Over the past 20 years, Meg has worked in many aspects of the veterinary industry, in both Syracuse and Buffalo. Working her way up from receptionist to Practice Manager in various clinics has given her the experience and insight to understand the internal workings of a successful practice. Meg is passionate about preventive care, customer service, and financial management and focuses her energies on these areas. Meg and her husband Rob share their life with their daughter Faye and are currently in the process of expanding their family through adoption.
Meghan Bingham, CVPM
Practice Manager, West Alabama Animal Clinic
Meghan Bingham
Meghan S. Bingham, CVPM, is the practice manager at West Alabama Animal Clinic, a 10-doctor, small-animal practice in the heart of Houston, Texas. She has worked at the practice for more than 20 years and jokes that she has held every position but veterinarian. Meghan earned her CVPM certification in 2017, was elected one of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Associations Emerging Leaders and is currently a finalist for DVM360s Practice Manager of the Year! Meghan enjoys most everything related to practice management, but is especially excited about increasing heartworm and flea compliance. Meghan is passionate about spending time with her 5-year-old son, taking naps and eating French fries–in that order!
Michelle Guercio-Winter, CVT, CVPM
Former Education Development Specialist, Patterson Veterinary
Michelle Guercio-Winter
Michelle is the former Education Development Specialist at Patterson Veterinary. She brings to her speaking and writing an unmatched passion for the business side of veterinary medicine and more than 30 years of practical experience including technician, management and a consulting background. She developed the original Patterson Veterinary University (PVU) Management courses in 2006. After joining the Patterson team in 2008, she led the continual expansion of the PVU course offerings which include specialized classes for practice owners, managers, the veterinary team and senior veterinary students. Michelle remains committed to developing relevant education materials to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s veterinary professionals.
Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA
Executive Director, SCVMA
Peter Weinstein
After earning his undergrad at Cornell University and DVM at the University of Illinois, Dr. Peter Weinstein worked as an associate for three years before opening his own practice. That’s when he identified the need for increased business acumen and embarked on an MBA at the University of Redlands while working full-time. After graduating, he was able to relocate, expand and sell his practice.
Dr. Weinstein has served as President of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, the California Veterinary Medical Association and VetPartners. He has also acted as Medical Director for Veterinary Pet Insurance and provided small business and corporate consulting via his company, PAW Consulting. Presently, he is the Executive Director for the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Weinstein has spoken and written extensively on practice management, team building, leadership, and other topics relevant to the veterinary profession. Most recently, he co-authored The EMyth Veterinarian – Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It, with Michael E Gerber.
Rachel Ray, CVPM
Director of Marketing, Caring Hands Animal Hospital
Rachel Ray
Rachel began her veterinary career at Caring Hands Animal Hospital in 2007. She learned the ropes through nearly every position in the hospital as a CCS, assistant, inventory manager, office manager, and practice manager. In 2014, she moved into overseeing marketing efforts for all 8 locations. Rachel is passionate about the client experience, hospital culture, branding, technology, and time management. She earned her CVPM in 2018. She shares her home with her husband and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys all the tv shows, reading, and traveling (10 countries and counting!).
Ria Botzler, CVPM
Hospital Administrator
Ria Botzler
Ria Botzler has 25 years experience in management with 20 years being dedicated to veterinary practice management. She has a passion for customer service, marketing, and sales, and brings creativity and efficiency to everything she does. She speaks both locally and nationally on management related topics. Ria is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, an active member of the Veterinary Hospital Management Association, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association and founder of the Southern Colorado Veterinary Management Group.
Sally Jackson
Director of National Accounts, VetSuccess
Sally Jackson
Sally has been in the veterinary industry for over 30 years (she started when she was 10) and has been surrounded her whole life by creatures great and small. She grew up showing dogs, horses and rehabilitating wildlife. After college she worked as a large animal surgery technician at the Univ. of GA School of Veterinary Medicine and then jumped into the corporate world of veterinary pharmaceutical sales, consulting and practice data companies. Sally is determined to make data a GOOD 4 letter word!
Sally lives life full throttle and can be found dodging alligators (not very successfully) and wild pigs on her mountain bike or throwing a cast net to catch a delicious mess of GA shrimp for supper!
Sarah Susut
Product Manager, VetSuccess
Sarah Susut
Sarah’s a Canadian who grew up in Hawaii… And then moved back to cold, cold, Canada. Seriously.
She’s also managed veterinary practices and has a secret and perverse appreciation for organizing practice management codes. We all have our thing and we’re lucky for Sarah’s secret love of organizing codes. Sarah manages our team of Practice Data Specialists and ensures that our code mappings make sense. She’s our (now not-so-secret) weapon and the first line of defence in our quest to truly normalize veterinary practices data. Weird, huh?
Want to know something else? Sarah’s a singer! She can teach you to sing. If you want to ask her about that or maybe veterinary practice management code questions, send her an email.
Sheri Gilmartin
VP Sales & Marketing, VetSuccess
Sheri Gilmartin
Sheri may be a relative newcomer to VetSuccess but make no mistake; this veterinary veteran knows this business like the back of her hand.
With two and a half decades of experience behind her, she’s both a credentialed vet tech and a sales and marketing guru. Sheri also happens to boast an incredible track record when it comes to building long-term relationships and industry-wide credibility. In short, she’s the best of all worlds and we feel pretty darned lucky to have her on board!
During business hours, you’ll find Sheri immersed in our marketing and business strategy while excelling in her role as VP of Sales. Beyond VetSuccess, you’ll find her breaking a sweat with some physical activity, chilling to her favorite tunes, geeking out on Sci-Fi, or spending time with the six she holds dearest – namely her husband, two kids, and three fur babies.
Dr. Stacee Santi, DVM
Founder and CEO, Vet2Pet App Builders
Dr. Stacee Santi
Dr. Stacee Santi graduated CSU in 1996 and began her veterinary career in Portland Oregon at an 13-doctor ER hospital. In 2002, she accepted a position at Riverview Animal Hospital in Durango, Colorado and began managing the hospital in 2007. Being a veterinarian herself, she knows the challenges the industry faces to stay connected to clients. In 2013, Dr. Santi founded Vet2Pet and began working on new contemporary strategies to connect with clients…the first being a custom veterinary app.
In addition to managing her hospital, Dr. Santi launched a 24-hour ER service in 2010 in addition to an accredited annual CE meeting for the SW Colorado region. She has also been a strategic member on the National Veterinary Associates Medical Advisory Board for 5 years and featured in AAHA Trends multiple times. She has been a guest speaker for Zoetis, Ark Sciences, Vet Girl on the Run, and National Veterinary Associates. Dr. Santi is also a member of VetPartners, AAHA, and CVMA.
Stith Keiser
CEO, Blue Heron Consulting (BHC)
Stith Keiser
Stith Keiser is the CEO for Blue Heron Consulting (BHC). BHC collaborates with practice owners to improve their lives and the lives of their team members while enhancing client experience, building sustainable practice profitability and elevating the quality of care for pets. Stith is also managing partner for a handful of veterinary practices and helps new owners build a legacy by overseeing team development, operations and financial management.
Prior to his role at BHC, Stith was the founder and CEO of My Veterinary Career. Furthermore, he has facilitated workshops at veterinary conferences and written for Veterinary Team Brief, AAHA’s Trends Magazine and Veterinarian’s Money Digest. Stith also conducts career development-related workshops at veterinary schools across the country.
Stith recently collaborated on the development and delivery of professional development curricula at several veterinary schools. He is also working under a federal grant with the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences to explore and design strategies for successful rural veterinary practice ownership. On the volunteer front, Stith serves as Chair of the Practice Management Special Interest Group for VetPartners, participates in Washington State University’s CVM “Diagnostic Challenge” and serves on several task forces for the AVMA’s Economic Committee.
In his free time, Stith enjoys spending time with his family, friends, Red Heeler (with too much energy!) and Black Lab, while horseback riding, hiking and camping.
Wendy Hauser, DVM
Assistant Vice President, Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group
Wendy Hauser
Wendy Hauser, DVM, established Peak Veterinary Consulting in January 2015 after working as an industry Technical Services Veterinarian. With a DVM from OK State in 1988, she practiced for 28 years as an associate and owner. She is highly engaged in AAHA leadership having served as a member of the Board of Directors, as the Board Vice-President and currently serves as the AAHA Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. She helped design and facilitate Colorado VMA’s Power of Ten. Dr. Hauser is a communications coach at CSU’s CVM. The co-author of “The Veterinarian’s Guide to Healthy Pet Plans”, she enjoys consulting and presenting workshops on hospital culture, leadership, client relations and operations. She may be reached at drhauser@peakveterinaryconsulting.com
Wendy Jureski, CCFC
Practice Manager
Wendy Jureski
Wendy, currently a business manager for a small animal practice in Jacksonville, has worked in veterinary medicine for the past 20 years. In 2016, her interest in reducing compassion fatigue within the industry prompted her to create Saving Fido’s Friends – an organization that promotes healthier practice environments by providing valuable information and resources to vet professionals. She is also one of several administrators for Veterinary Support Staff Unleashed, a Facebook group currently offering support to more than 5,900 members.