View VESPA's bylaws here.

(VESPA accepted these bylaws on April 17, 2007.)

Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR
President/Founder

Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR, began as a registered veterinary technician in 1992. In 2006 she became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). In 2008, she created InterFace Veterinary HR Systems, LLC. Katherine became a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) in June 2008, and a Compassion Fatigue Specialist in 2009. Katherine has been published in various industry journals in the United States and Canada, and has published two books through AAHA Press. She teaches on VSPN, and her public speaking experience includes many national, regional, and state meetings and conferences. Katherine was voted the 82^nd Annual Western Veterinary Conference Practice Management Continuing Educator of the Year in 2010.

Katherine founded VESPA in the summer of 2006, driven by the desire to connect other professionals involved in emergency and specialty practice. VESPA became incorporated in April of 2007, as a 501(c)(6) professional association.

Louise Dunn,
Vice President

After twenty one years of managing in the veterinary field, Ms. Dunn started Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting, which provides technical assistance to practice teams to meet their strategic plans. Snowgoose works with a wide variety of practices. They range from large specialty hospitals with 100 plus team-member companion animal referral centers, to mixed animal hospitals, to single veterinarian practices. Ms. Dunn conducts practice management workshops at numerous veterinary schools and works with many of the VBMA clubs. She has also contributed to a number of books including the 5 Minute Consult, Pathways to Ownership and Veterinary Clinics of North America and speaks internationally and nationally on various veterinary management topics at meetings including TNAVC, WVC, ACVIM, VSIPP, CVC, AAHA and AVMA . She was named Practice Management Educator of the Year at WVC 2007. Ms. Dunn is currently Vice President of VESPA and a member of the AAHA PMAG Leadership Advisory Committee, a founding member, past board member and officer of Vet Partners formerly the Association of Veterinary Practice Management Consultants and Advisors (AVMPCA, the. national VPI Leadership Council, and is a member of the  VHMA and AVMLA. She attended Hartford College for Women, Trinity College and AAHA’s Veterinary Management Institute at Purdue University. Ms. Dunn brings a unique combination of business, -in-the-trenches experience, and knowledge to the veterinary industry.

Brie D. Messier,
Secretary

Brie was born in St. Augustine, Florida, but grew up in eastern Connecticut. Brie has a deep respect and admiration for agriculture with past involvement in FFA and 4-H. She graduated from Flagler College of St. Augustine, Florida, with a BA in Business Administration, and is pursuing her MBA at Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. She achieved professional certification with the Certified Horsemanship Association in 1999 as a horseback riding instructor and trainer. She has 22 years experience in the equine field ranging from pleasure, training, showing, breeding, and instructing in the Western and English disciplines. Her prior veterinary experience was in small animal general practice as practice manager and she is currently the Hospital Administrator for Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic Specialists in Clarksburg, New Jersey. Brie's focus in on strategic management, organizational change, and marketing. Brie joined VESPA in the secretary position in 2007.

Paul Camilo
Treasurer

Paul Camilo started with Dr. Jan Bellows in 2001 as a dental assistant after attending school in Tallahassee Florida. Through dedication in insuring that patients and their owners are treated like guests, he worked his way to practice administrator.  Paul has a special interest in marketing, animal dentistry, and client communication. Paul has taught dental radiology labs for the past six years. Paul founded Veterinary Consultation Services where he has worked as a consultant advising practice owners and managers. He is a member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and VetPartners. He is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager and has earned his Business Administration degree. He is also a certified Toastmaster where he hones his public speaking skills. He has spoken for Merial, Fort Dodge, Pfizer, and Hill’s pet food on practice management and development. Paul enjoys his role as the Practice Administrator of All Pets Dental.

Eileen Schuck 
Marketing Committee, Chair

(Biography Coming Soon!) 

Dawn Ellis,
Member Resources Committee, Chair

Dawn Ellis was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana, near Chicago, Illinois. She has over 10 years experience in the animal field. Dawn completed her BS degree in Information Systems Computer Programming from Purdue University. Then she moved to Florida and completed her AS degree in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College, and subsequently passed the Veterinary Technician National Examination. Dawn moved to South Carolina and became the practice manager for the South Carolina Surgical Referral Service in Columbia. Dawn became the chair of the VESPA Member Resources Committee in 2007.