A Much-Anticipated Return to the Pet Industry

Time flies when you’re having fun, and I can’t believe I’ve been with the APPA team for over a month. From attending SuperZoo to conducting media interviews, attending board meetings and more, it’s been a busy 30 days! As I continue to get settled, I wanted to share a few things about myself and what I’m looking forward to achieving together now, in the near future and long term.

1.???It’s been a much-anticipated return to the pet care community!

This isn’t my first rodeo with the pet industry. Over the past 20 years, I have had the opportunity to lead various associations. During that time, I have worked to develop strong cultures of empowerment that drive digital transformation, product innovation, and member experiences to deliver top-line growth and financial health to the organization. But the position that introduced me to the pet care community was my role as chief operating officer of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. For more than six years, I had the pleasure of working alongside members of this thriving industry, including APPA leadership, as well as dedicated and passionate organizations like the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), working to advance the human animal bond.

2.???I am a dog person.

While all pets are an incredible source of unconditional love, I must confess that I’m a bit biased toward my mini Goldendoodle, Tucker. Is there anything better than being greeted by your dog when you come home after a long day of work or after just a few minutes of running errands?! Tucker is a hugger, and there are times he’ll come up and hug me out of the blue. He brightens any day, and my wife and I can’t imagine not having him as a part of our lives.

3.???The pet industry has so much potential; let’s harness it and grow together.

The pet industry is a bit unique in its willingness to embrace different opinions, develop strong relationships and partnerships, team up on likeminded ventures, and prioritize advancing the lives of pets and those who love and care for them first. As you all know, the pet industry is not only a market-leading industry but also a community that wants to see mutual success among all its stakeholders. According to APPA’s State of the Industry data, the pet industry reached $123.6 billion in sales in 2021, the highest level in history and its second consecutive record-setting year, with continued growth expected for 2022. Let’s work together to build relationships and connect the dots to create new and lasting opportunities for our community. My ultimate goal is to grow and empower the people in this industry while building dynamic organizational culture and engagement.

I look forward to connecting with all of you in the coming months, as this certainly isn’t the last time you’ll hear from me. I’m extremely excited and proud to be a part of this growing, thriving organization, and I’m looking forward to all we will accomplish together.?