Janis Knoetzel, MSEd.

Scientific Program Manager

Janis Knoetzel develops and promotes WVC’s scientific program. Prior to joining the organization in 2005, she had a successful career as an elementary teacher, with special interest in science and literature. Janis also worked as a veterinary medical librarian. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in education, with an emphasis on curriculum. Janis moved to Las Vegas in 1982 with her husband, who is a local veterinarian.

Carolyn Verduzco

Registration Manager

Carolyn Verduzco manages and coordinates advance and onsite registration for the conference. She also maintains the registration database and serves as the office manager for the WVC administrative offices. Prior to her 11-year career with WVC, Carolyn worked for the Buena Park Chamber of Commerce and Visitors and Convention Bureau. She also worked as a media clerk for the Clark County School District. Carolyn has resided in Las Vegas since 1987.

Joel Altman

Exhibits Manager

Joel Altman promotes WVC to companies, educational associations and universities. He sells all exhibit hall advertising and sponsorship items. For more than five years, Joel has worked in the conference industry. As a manager with Mandalay Bay, he specialized in show management and logistics, working with corporations, organizations, general service contractors and third-party vendors. As a hotel operations manager Joel provided customer service and all hotel internal communications. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1993. Joel has lived in Las Vegas since 1978.

Tracy Covert

Marketing Manager

Tracy coordinates website management and marketing efforts for the Western Veterinary Conference. She is responsible for maintaining and updating the WVC corporate website, coordinating advertising efforts for the company as well as general administrative support. Prior to joining WVC in 2009, Tracy was a Marketing Coordinator for KB Home and Carpets N More where she managed multiple functions within the department. Tracy is a native to Las Vegas and has attended the College of Southern Nevada with focus on a Marketing degree.

Debbie Weinstein

IT/AV Support - Helpdesk

Debbie has lived in the Las Vegas valley for over 46 years and has worked with the WVC organization providing computer support for more than 13 years. Prior to her employment with WVC, she was self-employed, providing computer technical support for other small businesses. Married for 28 years with a 26 year old daughter who resides in Portland, Oregon, Debbie enjoys gourmet cooking, fly fishing, books, and knitting.

Eric Mitchell

Database & Systems Analyst

Eric brings a diversified technology experience working in both, start-up company (Internet Connect) and well established companies (General Electric, One Step Data). He has several years of experience in IT management, project management, administration, analysis, design, development, testing, production, and maintenance of databases, data warehouses, and information systems. Prior to joining WVC, Eric supported MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment data mining for large marketing campaigns. Eric holds a BA in Management Information Systems from California State University - Long Beach.

Jill Pierce

Events & Services Coordinator

Jill Pierce coordinates events, meetings, transportation, lodging and food for conference attendees, board members and affiliated groups. She also produces signage for all sessions, meetings and events. Prior to her eight year-career with WVC, Jill was a customer service representative. She also worked as a library aide in a Las Vegas elementary school. Jill moved to Las Vegas in 1989 and has attended the College of Southern Nevada.

Lindsay Sundberg

Program & Sponsorship Coordinator

Lindsay Sundberg, Scientific Program Assistant, supports the Scientific Program Manager in all aspects of Conference program development, including data entry of program lectures, coordinating speakers’ schedules, and providing Scientific Program content for the WVC Website. Before joining WVC, Lindsay spent five years with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., a civil engineering consulting firm in the Las Vegas Valley that specializes in land development and transportation planning for large-scale resort/casino developments. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Nevada.

Sandi Schroder

Executive Assistant

Sandi Schroder assists the board of directors, board president and WVC management team to manage successful board meetings. She has more than 30 years of experience in the Las Vegas tourism and hospitality industry. Sandi worked as sales director in several major Las Vegas casino hotels, focusing on the convention market. Most recently she directed the sales effort for the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino. Prior to that, Sandi was director of sales at the Excalibur for five years, where she worked with WVC to house the conference. As a native Las Vegan and a University of Nevada, Las Vegas alumni, she has strong community ties and interests in the future of the city. Sandi is a dedicated board member of two other nonprofit organizations and is also a Realtor.

Chi Stevenson

Administrative Assistant

After serving 2 years as main receptionist, Chi is now the Conference Administrative Assistant. Before joining WVC in 2009, Chi worked as a personal assistant/executive administrator for Siegfried & Roy and Lynette Chappell. This introduced her to animal non-profit organizations, which brought her to WVC. She volunteers for many local charities. Chi was educated in the Netherlands and Switzerland, where she earned the honor of International Understanding from the Northern European Council of International Schools. She also holds a Swiss Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Sandi Felkner

Receptionist

Sandra (Sandi) Felkner joined our team as the main receptionist for the WVC administrative offices. She also provides general administrative support to the organization. Before joining WVC, Sandi spent 3 years as Human Resources Manager for a hospital in Arkansas. Prior to that, she spent 6 years working in Human Resources and Marketing/Public Relations for a community health center, where she received personal recognition from then Mayor, Ray Baker. She moved to Las Vegas 3 years ago and has never looked back. She enjoys reading, volunteering at Valley Bible Fellowship, and spending time with her “pink” Labrador, Paris Hilton. We’d like to welcome Sandi to the WVC team.