Dennis McCurnin, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS

President

Dr. Dennis McCurnin teaches practice management courses, counsels veterinary students, plans and develops continuing education courses, and provides career guidance to graduate veterinarians. He received his DVM degree in 1966 and MS (surgery) in 1970 from Iowa State University. Dr. McCurnin owned and operated a three-person small animal practice in Phoenix, Arizona, from 1970 to 1976. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1973 and, in 1976, he returned to Iowa State University as an Associate Professor of Surgery and Assistant Dean. From 1979 to 1990 Dr. McCurnin was Professor of Surgery and Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. From October 1990 to July 2006, he served as Professor of Surgery/Management and Hospital Director at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In July 2006 he began his full-time commitment to practice management, career guidance, and other areas of continuing education. Dr. McCurnin has received numerous awards, including the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, Iowa State University Stange Award, Arizona Veterinarian of the Year, Western Veterinary Conference Distinguished Service Award, AVPMCA Distinguished Life Member Award, AAHA Award, AVMA President’s Award, and the SWVS Visionary Award. He has given more than 500 papers and presentations at professional meetings and seminars throughout the United States and 30 foreign countries, published over 160 scientific articles, and contributed to 11 textbooks. Dr. McCurnin is co-editor of McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians (7th Edition, 2010) from Elsevier/Saunders, editor of Textbook of Veterinary Practice Management published by J. B. Lippincott, and co-editor of Small Animal Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Procedures published by Elsevier/Saunders. He is a Past President (2006) and current member of the Board of Directors of the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in Dallas, Texas, as well as Past Chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee (2000-2007) and current member of the Board of Directors of the NCVEI (2007-2010).

James E. Creed, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS

Immediate Past-President

Dr. Creed is a member of the Board of Governors and also monitors the surgery section of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates Clinical Proficiency Exam. From 1984 to 1992 Dr. Creed was chairman of the University of Missouri Department of Veterinary Medicine/Surgery. He returned to teaching surgery labs at the university in 2000. As chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention Management Program Committee, Dr. Creed developed a special interest in surgical instructional videos, producing 76 programs. He specialized in surgery during his 21-year career at Colorado State University and also held positions at the University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University. Dr. Creed has served in a number of leadership roles, including president of the Larimer County Colorado VMA in 1965, West Central Missouri VMA in 1992, and the North Central Oklahoma VMA in 1997. He earned a master’s degree in surgery in 1967 from Colorado State University and his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Missouri in 1954. He earned his DVM degree in 1961 from Colorado State University, where he is Professor Emeritus.

Randall G. Ezell, DVM

President-Elect

Dr. Randall Ezell has guided the Tropicana Veterinary Group as Chief Operating Officer since 2000. The Group employs more than 80 veterinarians and a staff of 800 in Las Vegas. Dr. Ezell also leads a veterinary student preceptor program, which involves all 14 of the Group’s hospitals and the Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center. He has assisted in the design and construction of more than 20 veterinary facilities and a specialty center in the Las Vegas area. Because of his interest and experience in hospital design, WVC appointed him Chairman of the Building Committee for the Oquendo Center for Clinical Education. Dr. Ezell was President and Treasurer of the Clark County Veterinary Medical Association from 1987 to 1988. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 1978 and his DVM degree from the University of Missouri in 1982.

George Dyck, DVM, MS

Vice-President

Dr. George Dyck has owned an equine ambulatory practice in the Los Angeles area for about 25 years. He hosts preceptor students in his office and enjoys the exchange of knowledge. After relocating to California in 1978, Dr. Dyck established several companion animal practices in southern California and sold them to his associates. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, and the California Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Dyck was President of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association in 1983. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1969, his master’s degree in 1972, and his DVM degree in 1976 from Colorado State University. Dr. Dyck has been a Western Veterinary Conference member and scientific program moderator for many years. He was elected to the board of directors in 2009 and serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. He is an examiner in the equine and bovine sections for WVC's administration of the AVMA Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduate Clinical Proficiency Examination.

James Peddie, DVM

Secretary/Treasurer

Dr. James Peddie acts as liaison between the Board of Directors and the WVC management team. He owns and operates a specialty practice for animal actors in film and television production, which he founded with his wife in 1991. Dr. Peddie is an examiner in anesthesia and small animal practice for WVC’s monthly administration of the American Veterinary Medical Association/Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates Clinical Proficiency Examination and serves as a trustee of the AVMA Group Health and Life Insurance Trust Program. Dr. Peddie was staff veterinarian at the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at Moorpark College, which is a unique veterinary technician program for students intending to enter medical care and training for animals in the entertainment industries. He became Program Director at Moorpark College in 1994 and retired in 2004. Dr. Peddie is a leader and member of the California Veterinary Medical Association, Santa Barbara Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, National Academies of Practice, Wild West Veterinary Meeting, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, and the Society of Aquatic Veterinary Medicine. He earned his DVM degree from Cornell University in 1965 and is a veteran of the US Army Veterinary Corps.

James E. Nave, DVM

Parliamentarian

Dr. James Nave advises the presiding officer in responding to points of order and parliamentary inquiries. He is the Chairman of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, the globalization agent for the World Veterinary Association, while practicing at Tropicana Veterinary Group in Las Vegas. Dr. Nave has served with the American Veterinary Medical Association in the House of Delegates on the District Five Executive Board, as Board Chairman, and as President in 2000. While President, he ushered in an era of worldwide acceptance of veterinary licensing standards, opening up universal licensing in many global areas. After graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1968, he served as a Captain in the US Army, completing a tour of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Jack O. Walther, DVM

CPE Coordinator

Dr. Jack Walther is responsible for overseeing and organizing all professional continuing education. He practices part-time in Elko, Nevada, near his ranch in Lamoille. Dr. Walther is the Chief Veterinary Consultant for the Elko Animal Shelter. For more than 40 years he practiced equine and then small animal medicine. Dr. Walther built three American Animal Hospital Association hospitals in the Reno area. He was involved in starting the pre-veterinary medicine program at the University of Nevada at Reno where he taught for many years. Dr. Walther was President of the Nevada State Veterinary Association in 1974 and the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2004 to 2005. For about 25 years he was responsible for all legislation involving veterinary issues before the Nevada legislature. In 1978 Dr. Walther authored a complete revision of the Veterinary Practice Act. He served as State Board of Veterinary Examiners Chairman from 1983 to 1993. Dr. Walther was named Nevada Veterinarian of the Year in 1977. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1959 and DVM degree at the University of California, Davis in 1963.

Brad White, DVM, MS (2009 - 2013)

Director

Dr. Brad White has taught at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine since 2005. His focus is on research and education related to beef production medicine and management. Dr. White works with both students and practitioners to promote programs leading to economically sustainable mixed animal veterinary practice. He has served on convention program planning committees for a number of professional organizations, including the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, and North American Veterinary Conference. Dr. White is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Society for Theriogenology, and Academy of Veterinary Consultants. In 2001 he assisted in the formation of Missouri Verified Beef, an alliance of beef producers committed to the promotion of effective marketing and improved information capture. Dr. White previously taught at Mississippi State University and owned a private practice in southeast Missouri. He received his DVM degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1997 and his master’s degree in 2005 from Mississippi State University.

Jon R. Pennell, DVM, MS, NREMT-I (2010 - 2014)

Director

Dr. Pennell is a small animal practitioner in Las Vegas, Nevada. He grew up in Southern Idaho where his father was a mixed animal veterinary practitioner and his mother was a registered nurse. He was active in Boy Scouts and attained his Eagle Scout award. Early in his career he bought Rancho Animal Clinic where he managed and practiced successfully for 18 years. After selling his practice Dr. Pennell joined the staff of Spencer Springs Animal Hospital, where he currently practices. Jon enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine with a special interest in dentistry. In 1997 Dr. Pennell was appointed by the Governor of Nevada to serve on the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. He served three terms for a total of nine years and was the Board President during his last two years of service. Dr. Pennell serves as Vice President of the North Las Vegas Canine Teams, a non-profit group that raises money for the North Las Vegas Police Canine Unit. He is the current chairman of the advisory board for the technology program at the College of Southern Nevada. He is a member of the American Veterinary Dental Society, American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Pennell is a member of the Nevada Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and is on their Disaster Preparedness Committee. He served as a NVMA Director from 2007 until July of 2009. At that time he resigned as Director to become Nevada’s Alternate Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. Dr. Pennell is an examiner in anesthesia for the AVMA/ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination, which is given at WVC’s Oquendo Center for Clinical Education. Dr. Pennell has a keen interest in both disaster preparedness and the One Health One Medicine concept. He volunteers as a veterinarian and an EMT for the Southern Nevada Medical Reserve Corps and was a speaker at the 2007 Medical Reserve Corps National Leadership Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Pennell also volunteers for several preparedness teams and is a member of National Veterinary Response Team 4, National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps, Veterinary Medical Assistance Team 5 and American Medical Response Disaster Response Team. In 2006 Dr. Pennell became an EMT. He works part-time for MedicWest Ambulance as an EMT-Intermediate and has his National Registry certification. Working as an EMT has helped him broaden his interest in human medicine and complements his training in veterinary medicine. Dr. Pennell received his B.S. from the University of Arizona in 1972 and his M.S. in veterinary science from the University of Idaho in 1976. He graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. He married his wife Kathy in 1973. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren and are lucky enough to have all of them in Las Vegas where they can enjoy many family activities.

John G. Kirkpatrick, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Food Animal) (2010 - 2014)

Director

Since January 2005, Dr. Kirkpatrick has provided veterinary consultation services to primarily beef cattle operations, relief veterinary service to private practitioners, lectures to veterinary students, continuing education programs for veterinarians, and cooperative veterinary extension programs for beef producers. He presently serves as chair of the Oklahoma Voluntary Johne’s Disease Eradication Program and is a member of the Oklahoma Tuberculosis Surveillance Advisory Committees. Dr. Kirkpatrick serves as an examiner for the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates Clinical Proficiency Exam in Las Vegas, Nevada. He administers the examination at either the Bovine Procedures or Obstetrics station. He attended the examiner orientation program prior to the first examination administered at the Las Vegas site. From June 1965 until June 1972 Dr. Kirkpatrick joined Drs. C. R. Love and L. W. Nightengale in their mixed animal practice at Ardmore, Oklahoma. He established a veterinary practice in Shattuck, Oklahoma, and provided mixed animal veterinary services until May 1992. The following month he joined the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty as an instructor in the Food Animal Section of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. He became an Associate Professor in 1995. Dr. Kirkpatrick served as a Food Animal Clinician, Director of Veterinary Extension, and Director of the Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital during his time at Oklahoma State University. He retired from Oklahoma State University in January 2005. Dr. Kirkpatrick is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, and American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He achieved Diplomate status in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certification in Food Animal Practice, in 1991 and was recertified in 2001. He maintains his license in Oklahoma and his Texas license is held in inactive status. A manuscript he submitted to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association was published July 1, 2008. Dr. John Kirkpatrick received his bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1963 and his DVM degree in 1965 at Oklahoma State University.

Joe M. Howell, DVM (2011 - 2014)

Director

Dr. Joe Howell is a companion animal practitioner and co-owner of the Britton Road Veterinary Clinic in Oklahoma City. A graduate of the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, he has practiced veterinary medicine in Oklahoma City for his entire veterinary career. He also consulted 5 years for Hill’s Pet Nutrition and a large group of veterinary hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Howell served as president, vice president, and secretary of the Oklahoma County Veterinary Medical Association. He has served on the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Executive Board and received the OVMA President’s Award in 1990. In addition, Dr. Howell has served on the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners including 3 years as its president. Nationally, prior to serving as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 2002-2003 president, Dr. Howell served on the AVMA Executive Board and was the AVMA Executive Board Chairman while serving as the immediate past president. He also served as the alternate delegate in the AVMA House of Delegates representing Oklahoma. While serving in leadership capacities with the AVMA, Dr. Howell gave presentations to the veterinary associations of almost all 50 states, several international veterinary associations, and many of the allied associations. He has also interacted with the Center for Disease Control and several government agencies dealing with potential bioterrorist activities involving animal disease being used to target humans or animals. Dr. Howell also chaired the AVMA President’s Roundtable in Washington, DC, interacting with government and military veterinarians and the deans of US veterinary colleges. Dr. Howell is an active alumnus of Oklahoma State University, chairing the CVM’s “Bring Dreams to Life” campaign that raised over $26 million for the veterinary school. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Committee, and the Board of Governors of the OSU Foundation. Active in community and civic affairs, Dr. Howell belongs to many organizations, including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art as a trustee and past president, Leadership Oklahoma City, and Leadership Oklahoma. He also serves as a trustee and vice president of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, which is the largest benefactor to animal welfare causes as well as education and the arts in Oklahoma City. Dr. Howell has received the Oklahoma City Art Museum’s Outstanding Trustee Award and its Development Award. He was honored with Leadership Oklahoma City’s Paragon Award for Leadership Skills and the Paragon Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Howell and his wife, Jayme, have two children, Sumrall Jane and Martin Joseph.

Robert Linford, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS (2011 - 2014)

Director

Dr. Robert Linford accepted a faculty appointment at Mississippi State University in 1995, initially serving as associate professor and then later as full professor and chief of Equine Medicine and Surgery. He continues to teach Equine Medicine, Surgery, and Anatomy at the school and has received numerous teaching awards, including the Norden Distinguished Teaching Award three times and the Pegasus Award for Teaching Excellence twice. Dr. Linford has mentored six fourth-year veterinary students that have received a prestigious National AAEP/ALSIC Scholarship award from the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Livestock Insurance Company. The scholarship is awarded annually, on the basis of academic excellence, leadership ability, and involvement in activities that benefit the horse, to the top six to eight students in America planning to enter equine practice. Dr. Linford was raised in Montana and received a BS degree from Montana State University in 1975 and a DVM degree from Colorado State University in 1978. He received additional training at the University of California, Davis, in equine surgery and radiology, earning residency certificates in both areas, as well as a PhD, before joining the UCDavis faculty as an assistant professor of Equine Surgery in 1987. Dr. Linford is active in the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association and has served as the faculty advisor to the Mississippi State University Student Chapter of the AVMA since 1997. He has been a member of multiple AVMA workshop panels to develop the current Basic and Clinical Sciences Exam for Step 3 of the AVMA’s Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) licensing process. He has administered the equine sections of the Clinical Proficiency portion of the licensing examination for the AVMA since 1995 and has worked with WVC as an examiner for the equine sections of the Clinical Proficiency Examination since the inaugural exam administered at the WVC in Las Vegas in 2006. Dr. Linford and his wife Karen have been married for 33 years and have 2 children, John and Amanda. Dr. Linford maintains roots in Montana as co-owner of the family ranch that his brother Jack operates.

Clayton MacKay, DVM

Director

Dr. MacKay is a 2nd generation veterinarian. He, like his father, graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College. During his undergraduate years, Clayton was Vice President of the University of Guelph Student Union and President of the OTS fraternity. He entered private practice and became a partner in MacKay Animal Clinic. By 1989, the practice had become a 6 doctor, 35 employee, AAHA accredited general and specialty facility offering referral care in surgery, internal medicine, dentistry, behaviour and dermatology. In 1993 Dr. MacKay returned to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Ontario Veterinary College as their Director. This facility was supported by 50 clinical and teaching faculty and 125 employees. In January 1997, Dr. MacKay became the Director of Veterinary Affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada, Inc., and remained in that role until January 2010. Here he was responsible for the Hill’s Canada relationships with every veterinary and pet related organization in that country, as well as several international assignments for the global Hill’s business. An abbreviated list of his involvement in organized veterinary medicine include: Board positions including Presidency of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (1980), Board positions including Presidency of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (1986), Board positions including becoming the first Canadian President of the American Animal Hospital Association (1995-6), Board Positions including Presidency of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics (2008-9), Board Position including Presidency of the Toronto Academy of Veterinary Medicine (2006), Committee member and Chair of the AVMA animal welfare committee (1988-93). During his practice career, Clayton consulted for the pharmaceutical and biological industry (Norden, Smith Kline and Pfizer), Pet Identification (Infopet) and Pet Insurance industries. He was a founding director of the Canadian Human Animal Bond Association and of Pet Trust at the University of Guelph. He also served as the veterinary advisor to the Pickering, Ajax and Whitby Animal Control for 15 years. From 1974 to 1998, Dr. MacKay was involved in a large number of public relations efforts on behalf of veterinarians including newspaper columns, appearances on all major Canadian TV networks and served as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporations veterinary expert on Radio Noon in Toronto from 1986 to 1998. Dr. MacKay currently is an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College, Chair of the World Small Animal Associations’ Nutritional Guidelines Committee, Vet Partners Ethics Task Force member, AAHAs’ Task Force on Animal Welfare and their Leadership Identification Committee. In his current role as a consultant to the veterinary industry and private companion animal practice, he maintains membership in many veterinary professional organizations (AAHA, AVMA, CVO, OVMA, SVME, TAVM, Vet Partners, and WSAVA). His career has been recognized with several awards including twice being honoured as Veterinary of the Year (Ontario VMA in 1990 and Massachusetts SPCA and American Humane Education Society 1995), the Leadership Award from the Canadian Animal Health Institute (2009), the Industry Award by the Canadian VMA (2007) and lifetime honorary membership from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (2010) and Toronto Academy (2011).

W. Mark Hilton, DVM, Dipl. ABVP-Beef Cattle

Director

Dr. W. Mark Hilton is a clinical associate professor at Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hilton teaches veterinary students in all four years of the curriculum with the greatest emphasis on the third and fourth year students teaching Cattle Production Medicine, Achieving Success in Private Practice (business and communications course) and taking students on food animal ambulatory visits. He also teaches veterinary technology students at Purdue and is a strong proponent of utilizing veterinary technicians in small and large animal practice. Dr. Hilton has served on convention program planning committees with the Iowa and Indiana Veterinary Medical Associations, American Association of Bovine Practitioners and American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Dr. Hilton has been a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Bovine Practitioners since his graduation from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1983. He is also a member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, Academy of Rural Veterinarians, and Academy of Veterinary Consultants. He is the state coordinator of the Indiana Beef Integrated Resource Management Program and helped to initiate the Indiana Quality Plus Beef Program in 1999. Dr. Hilton was co-owner of a progressive mixed animal private practice in Iowa from 1983 until 1998 when he was recruited to teach at Purdue. He became board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the beef cattle specialty in 1996 and recertified in 2006. He served as exam chairman of the beef section from 1997-2005. Dr. Hilton’s passion for teaching has earned him numerous teaching awards including the outstanding teacher in the veterinary technology program, the Purdue alumni teaching award, the Weedon faculty recognition award and the award for excellence in engagement from Purdue. In 2000, he was named the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association National Teacher of the Year. Dr. Hilton is active in delivering continuing education programs to veterinarians and veterinary technicians via local, state, national and international meetings where he speaks on beef production medicine, veterinary business and communication topics and educating the veterinary team. He was honored as the Western Veterinary Conference Continuing Educator of the Year for the Food Animal category in 2009. Dr. Hilton and his wife, Denise have been married for 31 years and have two sons, Matthew and Steven.

E. David Stearns, RVT

Veterinary Technician Director

Mr. David Stearns has operated his own marketing and sales consulting firm that specializes in the pet and livestock industry for the last two years. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Globe University in their Veterinary Technology program, where he teaches radiology and serves as the Radiation Safety Officer. Prior to teaching and being an entrepreneur, Mr. Stearns was employed at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. for over sixteen years. At IDEXX, he managed national sales teams for practice management software and digital radiography systems. After undergraduate studies at Kansas State University and graduation from Colby Community College’s Veterinary Technology Program in 1979, Mr. Stearns worked as a Registered Veterinary Technician in a private, mixed animal practice in Shattuck, Oklahoma and several years as the Hospital Administrator of a small animal practice in Wichita, Kansas. Mr. Stearns is a charter member and was part of the founding group of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). He served as Treasurer Pro-Tem and was NAVTA’s first elected President. He is also a Past-President of the Oklahoma Veterinary Technician Association and the Kansas Veterinary Technician Association and is a current member of the Wisconsin Veterinary Technician Association. Mr. Stearns has lectured and authored several papers on the use of computers in veterinary practice, including authoring a chapter in the Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 5th Edition by Dr. Dennis McCurnin. He has served on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee for Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and was Chairperson of the National Board Exam Committee.