The North American Veterinary Community, publisher of Today’s Veterinary Business, announced that its board of directors has, by unanimous vote, named Gene O’Neill chief executive officer, effective immediately.
O’Neill, who has served as interim CEO since October 1, 2019, joined NAVC in 2013 as chief financial officer and was promoted to Deputy CEO and CFO in 2018.
“Gene has provided exceptional leadership and direction for NAVC as interim CEO over the past six months and helped us achieve unprecedented double-digit growth and product diversification in his role as deputy CEO and CFO,” said NAVC board President Paige Allen, MS, RVT. “Gene has seamlessly steered our organization and staff through uncharted times this year and led our team to host the most successful VMX in NAVC’s history earlier this year.
“Gene has a true entrepreneurial spirit grounded in sound financial and business experience. He was without peer when it came to selecting who would set the future course for NAVC. I speak for all of the NAVC board in saying we could not be happier in having Gene as our permanent CEO.”
Over the last seven years, O’Neill helped transform the NAVC’s portfolio, which primarily included its annual veterinary conference to now include:
- A media division that today is the veterinary industry’s largest trade publisher.
- An online news station.
- A certification program.
- A service group supporting smaller veterinary associations.
- An online recruiting tool for veterinarians.
This strategy enabled NAVC to more than double its revenue and more than triple the size of its staff.
Prior to joining NAVC, O’Neill served as vice president of finance at the Institute of Internal Auditors and interim CEO for IIA-Australia, and he held various finance and administration positions at SeaWorld of Florida. He has held CPA and CIA designations throughout his career.
He also spent eight years as the general manager of Baseball City Sports Complex, the spring training site of the Kansas City Royals. A New Jersey native, he has lived in the Orlando area since 1986.
O’Neill succeeds Thomas Bohn, who resigned last year to lead the Association for Corporate Growth.
Did you know a subscription to Today’s Veterinary Business is free to qualified veterinary professionals? All you have to do is sign up here (and renew each year). You also can sign up to receive the Today’s Veterinary Business weekly e-newsletter.