Dr. Dee Ellis joins IIAD as project manager

Dee Ellis, DVM, MPA, has joined the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD), a Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence, as project manager effective June 1, 2016.

Ellis will serve as part of the Institute's AgConnect® team and work closely with the AgConnect® Program Director, Matt Cochran, DVM, MIA, in order to extend the outreach of the program and provide professional oversight. Ellis will also be providing targeted management of research, training, design and implementation of the AgConnect suite of tools.

"Dr. Ellis brings a wealth of knowledge about the livestock industry to the AgConnect team," said Cochran. "From health issues facing the industry and experience on the regulatory side of veterinary medicine to identification of needed tools for better health program management and delivery, I believe his experience will greatly benefit not only the AgConnect program, but also the Institute as a whole."

In December 2015, Ellis retired and ended more than 30 years of service to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency, where he had served as the state veterinarian and executive director since 2010.

After graduating with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 1984, Ellis began his veterinary career as a mixed animal practitioner at the Gonzales Animal Clinic in Gonzales, Texas. In the Fall of 1985, Ellis began his career at TAHC as a field veterinarian in Wharton, Texas. Ellis then went on to serve TAHC as a region director for central Texas, staff veterinarian and assistant state veterinarian before being appointed as the state veterinarian and executive director.

"I am excited to be a part of the IIAD team," said Ellis. "I believe my experience as the Texas State Veterinarian and the relationships I developed throughout my career with the various animal agriculture industries of Texas and the US will assist and enhance the exemplary service IIAD has provided over the years".
In addition to AgConnect, Ellis will also be assisting the Institute with other projects, preparing performance reports, writing proposals, assessing programs and identifying funding opportunities.

Ellis holds a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University.