Karen Christensen, PhD, of Ft. Smith, AR, 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 Sept. 7. Director of technical services for O.K. Farms, Christensen was PAACO’s vice chair the previous two years. She succeeds David Hermes, DVM, of Washington, IN.
Named vice chairman was Terry Mader, PhD, Concord, NE, professor, Extension beef specialist for the University of Nebraska. Rounding out the officer team are Secretary Frank Owsley, PhD, of Auburn, AL, associate professor, Extension animal scientist, Auburn University; and Treasurer Kenton Kreager, DVM, Dallas Center, IA, senior technical service veterinarian for HyLine International. The organization’s executive director is Mike Simpson.
The PAACO board also welcomed two new directors, who were appointed by their respective member organizations:
- Cassandra Tucker, PhD, assistant professor, University of California-Davis – Federation of Animal Science Societies
- Jennifer Walker, DVM, PhD, director of dairy stewardship, Dean Foods, Dallas, TX – American Association of Bovine Practitioners
PAACO’s mission is to promote the humane treatment of animals through education and certification of animal audits and auditors. PAACO is an organization of five animal industry organizations with extensive expertise on best management practices and current science in animal agriculture. Founding and current organizations are the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS), American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS), American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) and American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP).