Brad is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the animal health industry. As an owner and/or founder of several small businesses, including Creative Science, Butler Sales Associates, Provetica, and Butler Innovations, he has dedicated his career to developing and marketing innovative products that enhance the health and well-being of animals. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Brad served as Chief Operating Officer for Ceva Animal Health. A Missouri native, he is also a proud graduate of the University of Missouri. Brad also runs Butler Innovations, an investment company with consulting capabilities, with a mission to support partner businesses by providing the tools, resources, and strategies necessary to drive sustainable, long-term growth.
Mike has more than thirty years of experience in animal health. He holds a BA in business from the University of Northern Iowa, and an MBA from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Mike's childhood on the family farm in Iowa set him on his path in animal health and helping veterinarians optimize the health of their patients and their veterinary practices. His experience includes the last twenty years as President and CEO of N. American Operations with Dechra Pharmaceuticals. As Dechra’s first employee in the U.S., he built the U.S., Mexican and Canadian teams to more than 250 people and helped grow sales to 191.6 million. Mike is currently President and CEO of Eldred Animal Health Consulting, LLC., providing business development and strategic advising for global animal health initiatives and projects.
A lifelong Kansan, Fritz graduated from the University of Kansas in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business/Management. He spent the first nine years of his career as a management consultant for a global consultancy. One of his clients was a pet nutrition company, through which he was introduced to the veterinary industry and to more and more veterinarians. He began to focus exclusively on the veterinary profession and started conducting research on productivity and attributes of high-performing practices. He has now worked with veterinarians for over 30 years. In addition to private consulting and training, he presents at continuing education meetings, sales meetings, training sessions and at several veterinary colleges. He also serves on industry boards and writes on both veterinary practice management and personal finance.
Chuck has over twenty five years of experience in animal health. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Missouri - Saint Louis, and MBA from Webster University in 1997, Chuck began his distinguished career dedicated to animal health and the health of veterinary practices across the country. His passion for animal health began on a family farm in Missouri where his family raised over 500 head of registered black angus cattle along with row cropping. His experience includes high-level positions with Ceva Animal Health, Elanco, KindredBio, Vetio, and his current position as Senior VP of Sales for Gateway Services, Inc. Chuck is also a founder and partner in VetVenture, which owns Veterinary Care Center and Urgent Care and Central West End Veterinary and Urgent Care in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Tockman began his career as an associate in a 2-doctor veterinary practice near St. Louis Missouri after graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. Shortly thereafter, he became a partner in Page Animal Hospital and initiated a growth plan that within 7 years created a 5 veterinary hospital network which was renamed Veterinary Care Center of St. Louis. While still in practice, Dr. Tockman began working with Abaxis, a manufacturer of point-of-care diagnostic analyzers and tests. He was a founding member of the Advisory Board and was eventually hired as Director of Professional Services. he worked as a consultant and then became a founding member of the Advisory Board. Dr. Tockman then was hired by the company as the Director of Professional Services. He was ultimately hired as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. When Abaxis was acquired by Zoetis in 2018, he stayed with the company as Global Head of Diagnostics Products and Innovation. Dr. Tockman became President of Companion Animal Health in March 2020 and ran that company for 3 years before moving to Chief Commercial Officer for Oncura Partners Diagnostics. He currently owns Synergistic Animal Health Solutions, LLC, a veterinary consulting firm.