2012 National VBMA Board
Your 2012 National VBMA Board
From left: Kristine Stellato, Al Claiborne, Jennifer Covington, Kristen Britton, & Leila Herndon
Thank you 2011 Board! We couldn't have asked for a better example!
2011 Officers: Shamus Brown, Misti Nuxoll, Kate Boatright, Ilyssa Meren, & Ashley Craig
President: Kristen Britton, Washington State University
Kristen is in the class of 2013 at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. She is originally from Idaho where she currently lives and commutes from. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.S. in Animal Science and minor in Business. Her passion for veterinary medicine stemmed from influences of her having a part time position at a small animal veterinary clinic while in high school. More recently, however, she has spent a few summers working with dairy cattle and appreciates this sector of our profession. Thus far, she is interested in mixed animal medicine in a rural setting. She has also participated in a Rural Animal Veterinary Services trip, the Live Oak Bank VBMA externship, and VLE. In her free time, she enjoys being with her husband, Shawn, and her cat, T-Pain. Together, they like to attend their alma mater’s college football and basketball games. Kristen is extremely enthusiastic about VBMA and what it has to offer all of our members. She is looking forward to the continued progress of this incredible organization!
Email Kristen!
Vice President: Jennifer Covington, University of Georgia
Jennifer is an active and involved member of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine class of 2014 – Go Dawgs! She grew up in Mobile, Alabama and then went to the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Economic Geography, followed by a Master of Science in Management from the Warrington College of Business.
Prior to entering to veterinary school Jennifer worked as a Management Consultant for Accenture, LTD in their Talent and Organization Performance Practice for 5 years. She looks forward to combining her business and management experiences with her passion for veterinary medicine by owning and leading a small animal practice in an urban area. Jennifer currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Troy, and her dogs Brandy and Buster.
Email Jennifer!
Compliance Chair: Kristine Stellato, University of Pennsylvania
After graduating from The University of Rochester with a music degree and biology minor, Kristine moved to New York City to continue her studies in musical theater. Music business burn-out led Kristine to an Upper West Side small animal hospital where she had the pleasure of meeting Regis’ cat and Kathleen Turner’s boxer. Soon after, Kristine’s business bug emerged when she started a dog walking/pet sitting business. With a desire to learn more about canine behavior, she moved to Texas, and received her certification in training and behavior from Triple Crown Academy. Kristine then moved back to her hometown in Pennsylvania, where she still owns and operates her dog training business, “The Constant Canine.” Now in her second year at Penn Vet, Kristine enjoys wildlife/zoo medicine and palpating cattle. She can be found in VBMA meetings, at Tri-State Bird Rescue, accompanying The Philadelphia Chorus, enjoying her two dogs and cat, or daydreaming about her skis, which are collecting dust.
Email Kristine!
Treasurer: Leila Herndon, Oregon State University
Leila spent a good deal of her childhood in a small town in Wisconsin, and later moved to Arizona. She attended school at the University of Arizona and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Veterinary Science and minors in Chemistry and Psychology in December, 2009. Leila was very involved with a multitude of leadership organizations, including Residence Hall Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, and Sigma Alpha during her undergraduate career. She is currently in her second year of veterinary school at Oregon State University and has been quite shocked with all of the rain that hits the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the VBMA, Leila is a Pfizer Animal Health Student Representative for OSU and is a member of the Lab Animal and Research Club. Leila hopes to work in veterinary research or pathology and is looking forward to a fantastic year!
Email Leila!
Marketing Chair: Al Claiborne, University of Tennessee
Al grew up in a small town in East Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Logistics. During his senior year of college, a number of events led him to pursue becoming a veterinarian. After an additional year of undergraduate coursework, he started at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. He is currently a second year student, and is active within the local VBMA chapter and SAVMA. After graduation, he plans to practice small or mixed animal medicine in rural Tennessee. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sara, spending time in the Smoky Mountains, and watching University of Tennessee football and basketball (even if both are “rebuilding”).
Email Al!