(Karen Christensen of O.K. Farms is named PAACO Vice Chairman)

David R. Hermes, DVM, of Washington, IN, was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) at the group’s annual meeting in Kansas City last month.  Regional veterinarian for broiler chickens and turkeys for Perdue Farms, Inc., Hermes was PAACO’s vice chair the previous two years.  He succeeds James Barton, DVM, of Fayetteville, AR.  Named vice chairman was Karen Christensen, MS, director of technical services at O.K. Farms, Inc., in Fort Smith, AR.  Rounding out the officer team are Secretary Tom Noffsinger, DVM, of Benkelman, NE; and Treasurer Terry Mader, PhD, of Concord, NE,  professor and Extension beef specialist for the University of Nebraska.

“I am honored to be elected as one of the leaders from our 15-member board,” said Dr. Hermes.  “From its beginnings in 2004, the organization has come a long way in developing services to be recognized as a value to the animal industry community from production to customers.”

Currently more than 300 individuals have been through or are in the process of completing certification requirements for animal welfare auditing.  In addition, welfare audit instruments for meat plants, dairy production and layers are being reviewed or certified based on quality criteria.  The PAACO board also welcomed five new directors, who were appointed by their respective member organizations: 
-Angela Baysinger, DVM, professional service veterinarian, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bruning, NE – American Association of Swine Veterinarians
-D. Dee Griffin, DVM, professor and feedlot production management veterinarian, University of Nebraska Great Plains Veterinary Education Center, Clay Center, NE – American Association of Bovine Practitioners
-Kenton Kreager, DVM, senior technical service veterinarian, Hy-Line International, Dallas Center, IA – American Association of Avian Pathologists
-Frank M. Mitloehner, PhD, associate professor and Extension specialist, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA – Federation of Animal Science Societies
-W.F. “Frank” Owsley, PhD, Extension animal scientist and associate professor, Auburn University, Auburn, AL – American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.

PAACO’s mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through education and certification of animal auditors, as well as the review and/or certification of animal audit instruments, assessments and programs.  Organization and program information can be found at the organization’s website www.animalauditor.org.
 

Source:  PAACO
P.O. Box 31 ● Redfield, Iowa 50233