The North American Veterinary Community, publisher of Today’s Veterinary Business, welcomes Marcie Whichard to lead its innovation and advocacy programs as the new vice president of professional and community relations.
Whichard has served in retail corporate management for more than 30 years, most recently as vice president of industry and public affairs and previously as the vice president of animal care, education and compliance for Petco Animal Supplies Inc.
A seasoned professional with broad domestic and global experience, Whichard’s strengths include internal and external corporate communications, community outreach, crisis management, message development, brand management, advocacy, ally development and budget accountability. Prior to leading the animal care initiatives at Petco, Whichard was the vice president of operations for the West Coast. She also sits on the board of directors for the Petco Foundation and Pet Partners.
In this new role at the NAVC, Whichard will serve as executive director of the Veterinary Innovation Council (VIC), will be responsible for building and managing strategic industry relationships, and will provide counsel to the NAVC’s CEO, lobbyist and senior staff on various state and federal legislative activities, including raising funds and awareness for the industry’s innovative political action committee PetsPAC. She will also lead the NAVC’s charitable endeavors.
“Innovative advocacy is now an official key part of the new NAVC strategic plan. I couldn’t think of anyone better to help lead us through the myriad of issues facing the veterinary profession at the state and national level,” said NAVC CEO Tom Bohn, CAE, MBA.