Felsted named CEO of NCVEI

Schaumburg, Ill.

- The National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) named Karen E. Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM its new chief executive officer.

Felsted leaves Los Angeles-based Gatto McFerson CPAs, a veterinary-focused financial and consulting firm.

"The NCVEI has played a significant role in the increase of veterinarians' earnings over the past five years," Felsted says in a prepared statement, "and there continue to be so many more things we need to do to keep our profession economically strong. This economic vitality is critical to providing outstanding patient care, fulfilling the expectations of veterinarians in the public and corporate arenas, and continuing to attract the best and brightest students to our profession," she adds.

Felsted gained more than 15 years experience consulting with veterinary practices and animal-health companies on business related issues. She has worked with Brakke Consulting, Owen E. McCafferty, CPA, Inc., a veterinary tax, accounting and practice management service, and served on the editorial advisory board of Veterinary Economics magazine (www.vetecon.com).

Felsted graduated magna cum laude from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and practiced both small-animal and emergency medicine for three years prior to joining Owen E. McCafferty, CPA, Inc.

Felsted is the second CEO of NCVEI and succeeds Howard Rubin, who left the post to become CEO of Brightheart Veterinary Centers in Armonk, N.Y.NCVEI was founded in January 2000. The not-for-profit organization is governed by a Board of Directors representing the three founding organizations: American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.