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Exceptional leadership in the veterinary sector greatly impacts the quality of pet care and enhances the professional growth of their teams. Cultivating a culture of progress and staying well informed of the latest developments in veterinary medicine, industry leaders can help maintain standards and excellence in pet health care.
Various veterinary businesses and organizations have recently announced new promotions and appointments. The following individuals are among those making career advancements:
Sharon Fernandez CEO, Independence Pet Holdings
Sharon Fernandez is now the new chief executive officer of Independence Pet Holdings (IPH), a pet insurance organization for North America. He has more than 25 years of expertise in the insurance industry, having previously served as CEO Insurance and Corporate COO at Buckle Insurance. Previous roles include president of Farmers Commercial Insurance, president of Bristol West Insurance, and executive vice president of operations at Farmers Insurance.1
“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead IPH at this exciting time,” Fernandez said in a statement. “With a full stack of resources, capital, and services supporting a multi brand and omni channel approach, our talented leadership team is ready to take our brands and services to the next level to create a better future for pets and pet parents.”1
“I am excited to announce Sharon’s appointment, which helps advance our mission of building a better future for pets and pet parents,” said Dirk Beeckman, CEO of JAB Pet Holdings, an affiliate of IPH. “With Sharon’s extensive experience and proven track record in the financial services industry, we are well positioned to continue developing and elevating products and solutions to simplify the pet parenthood journey and improve the well-being of pets.”1
Fernando Delgado chief growth officer, Bond Vet
Fernando Delgado has been appointed as chief growth officer (CGO) of Bond Vet and joins the veterinary clinic network with more than 20 years of marketing and business experience. His previous roles spanned multiple industries, including retail and hospitality, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and consumer packaged goods. Delgado’s most recent position was global head of marketing at CSL Plasma.2
“I am incredibly excited to join such a mission-driven team dedicated to providing an exceptional client experience and excellent patient care,” said Fernando Delgado, CGO, in a release. “I look forward to bringing Bond Vet’s exceptional services to even more clients and pets as we expand across the country.”2
“I am delighted to welcome Fernando to Bond Vet,” said Garrett Lewis, CEO of Bond Vet. “Fernando has spent his career focusing on customers and how brands can best serve them. I am confident that he is the right person to bring our exceptional service to even more clients and pets, which will ultimately increase Bond’s impact in the new and existing communities we serve.”2
Adrianna Smith, president of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association
Adrianna Smith, DVM, is now the 2024 president of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. Smith is from Chicago and received his DVM degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. After 3 years in general practice, he shifted his efforts to community and shelter medicine. As a member of the Louisiana SPCA, she splits her time between community clinics and shelters and during disasters, Smith participates in response teams that provide medical treatment, transportation assistance, veterinary assistance, and assistance in the community.3
Michael Kascask, vice president of talent acquisition, CityVet
Michael Kascask has joined the CityVet team as vice president of talent acquisition. His most recent role, prior to joining CityVet was Head of SWE Sourcing for Google, North America and he has 20 years of previous experience in executive leadership roles within talent acquisition and recruiting.4
“I’ve always loved pets and animals, so at this point in my career, I’ve been given the opportunity to move into a new industry that marries my talent acquisition experience in an industry that’s near and dear to me . . ,” Kascask said in the CityVet release.4
At CityVet, Kascask will play a key role in helping the company expand and his responsibilities will include developing strategies to improve the efficiency of hiring processes and optimize them as the brand undergoes in growth. This will require facilitating the recruitment of new DVMs, veterinary technicians, and clinic staff to facilitate the opening of new locations.
“Michael brings a depth of talent acquisition knowledge to CityVet and we are thrilled for him to join our growing team,” said CityVet CEO David Boguslawski. “We are impressed with his diverse background in various industries and we are confident that his experience in efficiently managing the candidate journey to yield the best results for applicants and companies is perfectly aligned with our goals as we continue to expand our footprint.”4
Kevin DeWalt, president of CASCO Pet US
Previously serving as vice president of sales for CASCO Pet, Kevin DeWalt will become president of the company’s US business. DeWalt has been in the pet and veterinary company for nearly 10 years and has thus far increased sales growth, expanded the customer base, and led successful teams.5
“It is a great honor to be promoted to President at CASCO Pet, and I am excited about the new opportunities this promotion will present. As a sales-driven leader, I look forward to working with our team in this new capacity to innovative and thought-leading products that are revolutionizing pet health around the world and delivering real value to our customers,” DeWalt said in a company statement.5
“Kevin has helped grow our US operations over the past decade, and delivered impressive sales growth as our Vice President of Sales. This promotion is a recognition of his significant contributions and expertise. With his passion for innovation and dedication to our customers, I am confident that the business will grow from strength to strength under his leadership,” said CEO, Matthew Bubear.
Sources
- Independence Pet Holdings has named Sharon Fernandez as chief executive officer. News release. Independence Pet Holdings. February 13, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/independence-pet-holdings-names-sharon-fernandez-chief-executive-officer-302061124.html
- Fernando Delgado has joined Bond Vet as chief growth officer. News release. Bond Vet. February 15, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215332745/en
- LVMA announced the installation of the 2024 association president. News release. Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association. January 30, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024.
- CityVet announced Michael Kascask as vice president of talent acquisition. News release. CityVet. February 22, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024.
- CASCO Pet promotes Kevin DeWalt as president of our US business. News release. CASCO Pet. January 26, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. https://cascopet.com/us/the-world-of-casco-pet/our-blog/casco-pet-promotes-kevin-dewalt-to- president-of -our business/
