The American Veterinary Medical Assn. has named Ron DeHaven, DVM, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, as the new executive vice president. Dr. DeHaven will succeed Bruce Little, DVM, who has held the position of executive vice president since 1996 and is retiring at the end of this year. As APHIS administrator, DeHaven oversees a $1.9-billion budget and 8,300 employees. He is also responsible for the protection of U.S. agriculture and natural resources from exotic pests and diseases, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. “This position at the AVMA will provide me an exciting opportunity to give back to the profession,” DeHaven said. “I will be in a leadership position in the organization that represents 75,000 veterinarians at a time when the profession is at a crossroads. We are facing a future where the intersection of animal health and public health, and food supply veterinary medicine is becoming critical to meeting the needs of a global society.” DeHaven began his career at APHIS in 1979 as a veterinary medical officer, and later served as a regional director, veterinary staff officer, deputy administrator and acting associate administrator until he was appointed administrator in 2004.
