Staff Information

Working For You to Better the Profession

Executive Director

Executive Director

Troy Alexander

Troy Alexander is TVMA’s chief administrative officer and serves as CEO of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation as well. He directs the staff in pursuit of TVMA’s mission, which includes advocacy, continuing education, member services and public relations. He is responsible for staff development and for staying abreast of new ways that TVMA can better serve veterinary medicine in Texas. Troy is responsible to the TVMA Executive Committee.

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Associate Executive Director

Associate Executive Director

Angela Russell, CMP, CAE

Angela works with the Executive Director in support of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and all committees, task forces, and working groups. She works with groups to organize their meetings and identify areas for staff support. She serves as staff liaison to the Leadership Development Committee and the TVMA Leadership Academy.

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Director of Government Relations/General Counsel

Director of Government Relations/General Counsel

Trent Hightower, JD

Trent's responsibilities include addressing the legal questions of the membership covering a diverse range of issues including practice, ethics and employment law; as well as questions regarding the rules and regulations of state and federal agencies. Trent also assists TVMA’s leaders in designating the legislative priorities of TVMA and works as an advocate for TVMA before the state legislature, working to protect and promote the profession of veterinary medicine.

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Chief Communications & Technology Officer

Chief Communications & Technology Officer

Abel Almendarez

Abel manages TVMA’s member and public communications through print and electronic media. He serves as the association’s creative director, designer, website administrator and manages the Communications Department. Abel also sets publications schedules and continually updates the design of eNewsletters, the Texas Veterinarian magazine and the TVMA website.

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Media Specialist

Kane Russi

Kane manages the development of TVMA's public-facing website, TexVetPets.org, and oversees classified ads. He also assists the Communications Department with public relations, podcasts, videocasts, the Texas Veterinarian magazine, the TVMA website, research and other communication efforts.

Director of Education and Meetings

Erin Scott

Erin manages all meeting functions and continuing education programs. She plans, organizes, develops, markets and implements the TVMA Annual Conference, regional conferences and other meetings. Erin negotiates and manages meeting agendas and brochures, exhibitor and sponsorship solicitation and event contracts. She also provides full staff support for the TVMA CE & Conference Committee.

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Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Sharon Swedlow

Sharon manages the financial functions of TVMA and its related entities through financial reporting, budget planning and budget preparation supervision. She also advises the TVMA Treasurer and other officers within TVMA’s financial scope.

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Accounting Assistant

Deborah Walton

Deborah processes all incoming Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable for TVMA, TVMF and VPAC and assists the Chief Financial & Operations Officer with special projects. She additionally supports membership renewals and product ordering overflow.

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Director of Credentialing

Director of Credentialing

Larisa Respondek, CVA

Larisa manages the certification program for Certified Veterinary Assistants (CVA). She is the TVMA liaison for the Veterinary Paraprofessional Committee, Credentialing Committee and the Practice Management Committee.

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Credentialing Coordinator

Brandy Callis

Brandy works with the credentialing department. Her job includes helping certify new Certified Veterinary Assistants (CVA’s), managing their accounts, and adding new technology student members to TVMA. She also helps with our CVA social media pages.

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Director of Membership and Marketing

Director of Membership and Marketing

Donna M. Eberhart, CAE

Donna is responsible for membership services, member retention, and new member reruitment and welcome. She is responsible for member-related communications, marketing efforts, and leading the membership team. She serves as a staff liaison for the Membership and Recent Graduate and Student Liaison Committees.

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Business Development Manager

Jyll Vertuno, CPCE

Jyll manages and develops sponsorship programs across all TVMA departments through strategic and innovative initiatives. To expand business opportunities, she procures and contracts exhibit booth sales from vendors for the TVMA Annual Conference & Expo. Jyll is the staff liaison for the Industry Advisory Committee as well as the Business Alliance Committee. She is the point person for advertising contracts for digital and print TVMA publications, including the TVMA podcast.

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Membership Assistant

Ruthie Smith

Ruthie supports membership efforts by processing new member applications, updating member information, and creating membership reports. She also manages the membership portion of the monthly e-newsletter.

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Administrative Assistant

Emanuela Moise

Emanuela serves as first contact and provides administrative support. She takes care of order receipt and fulfillment, greeting and visitor assistance, and call routing. Additionally, she provides support to the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Memorial Gift Program.

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Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Chief Operating Officer

Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Chief Operating Officer

Leah Ann Tibbitts

Leah Ann serves as the chief administrative staff of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation. She is responsible for promoting Foundation events and programs, growing Foundation donations and developing new revenue streams.

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Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation Director of Development & External Relations

Casey McBee

Casey manages the development and fundraising functions of the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation. She also assists in building awareness of TVMF and its mission and creates, organizes and guides giving and fundraising events throughout the year.

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Feline Relations Specialist

Feline Relations Specialist

Luna

Luna is the voice of (and keeps TVMA in touch with) the feline community. She also provides a much-needed therapeutic service to the staff through her role as the official office cuddler. Luna’s medical care is provided by the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation.

A heartfelt thank you to Epicur Pharma/Stokes Pharmacy for their generous sponsorship of Luna's medications.