Board of Directors & Leaders
To get where the veterinary profession needs to go, it takes a dynamic group of people leading the way. Get to know our leadership team.
Executive Board
Rene A. Varela
MS, VMD, MPH
President
Jennifer Goessling
DVM
President Elect
Monica Capella
DVM
Vice-President
Elizabeth Cottrell
DVM
Secretary/Treasurer
Ashley I. Nichols
DVM
Immediate Past President
Andrew O’Carroll
DVM
AVMA Delegate
Jennifer Krueger
DVM
AVMA Alternate Delegate
Robert D. Silcox
DVM
Director At Large
Rich Streett, III
DVM
Director At Large
Regional Delegates
Philip Palmer
DVM
Region 1 Delegate
Shannon Skevakis
DVM
Region 2 Delegate
Vacant
Region 2 Delegate
Vacant
Region 3 Delegate
Vacant
Region 3 Delegate
Megan Noyes
DVM
Region 4 Delegate
Vacant
Region 5 Delegate
Practice Representatives
Tanya Tag
DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified Specialist Representative
James Casey
DVM, MS
Equine Representative
Matthew Weeman
DVM, MS
Food Animal Representative
Elizabeth Hepner
DVM, MPH
Government / Corporate / Academic Representative
Vacant
Poultry / Avian / Exotics Representative
Vacant
Small Animal Representative
Committee Chairpersons
Shannon Skevakis
DVM
College (NV)
Matthew Weeman
DVM, MS
Legislative (NV)
Elizabeth Hepner
DVM, MPH
Membership (NV)
Vacant
PAC (NV)
Ashley I. Nichols
DVM
Continuing Education (NV)
David Handel
DVM, CVA, CCRP, CTPEP
Continuing Education (NV)
Honorary Board Representatives
Erin Casey
DVM
AVMA District II Representative (NV)
Jennifer Trout
DVM
Maryland State Veterinarian (NV)
Carol Schwartz
VMD
Technicians Representative (NV)
Elizabeth Callahan
DVM, DACT, DABVP, MS
State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Board Member (NV)
Nathaniel E. Boan
State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Executive Director (NV)
Executive Staff
Danielle Bauer Farace
Executive Director
Government Relations
Hannah Garagiola
President, Compass Government Relations Partners
Morgan Mills
Assistant Director Compass Government Relations Partners
Past Presidents
2023-2024
Dr. Ashley Nichols
2022-2023
Dr. Elizabeth Hepner
2021-2022
Dr. David Handel
2020-2021
Dr. Shadawn Salmond-Jimenez
2019-2020
Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell
2018-2019
Dr. Rich Burgess
2017-2018
Dr. Rick Lewis
2016-2017
Dr. Rich Streett, III
2015-2016
Dr. Robert Silcox
2014-2015
Dr. Justin Sobota
2013-2014
Dr. Jan Ginsky
2012-2013
Dr. Krista Evans
2011-2012
Dr. Thomas J. Armitage
2010-2011
Dr. John Kable
2009-2010
Dr. James B. Reed
2008-2009
Dr. Jack O’Mara
2006-2007
Dr. Gregory S. Svoboda
2005-2006
Dr. Cindy Burnsteel
2004-2005
Dr. Ronald O. Schueler
2003-2004
Dr. Robert Z. Goodman
2002-2003
Dr. Perry S. Crowl
2001-2002
Dr. Fred Everhart, Jr.
2000-2001
Dr. Michael Erskine
1999-2000
Dr. Joanne Howl
1998-1999
Dr. Edward H. Stephenson
1996-1997
Dr. Jimmy Tibbs
1994-1995
Dr. Jane Brunt
1992-1993
Dr. Gary Hauptmann
1991-1992
Dr. John Brooks
1988-1989
Dr. Ed Jendrek
1987-1988
Dr. James McClellan
1986-1987
Dr. Mike Radebaugh
1983-1984
Dr. Gerald TePaske
1982-1983
Dr. Carvel Tiekert
1979-1980
Dr. Bob Batchelor
1978-1979
Dr. Gary Roop
1972-1973
Dr. Cleve Brown