Dr. Jennifer Walker elected new PAACO chair

Jennifer Walker, DVM, PhD, of Dallas, Texas, 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.

Director of Dairy Stewardship for Dean Foods, Walker was the organization's vice chairman the past two years. She succeeds Terry Mader, PhD, of Mader Consulting, LLC, Gretna, Nebraska.

"I am proud to serve PAACO," said Walker.

"I am excited about helping implement our new strategic plan which will ensure that PAACO remains the authority in animal welfare audit certification and auditor trainings."

Named vice chairman was Angela Baysinger, DVM, Bruning, Nebraska, health assurance veterinarian for Merck Animal Health.

Rounding out the officer team are Secretary Ted Friend, PhD, animal science professor at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, and Treasurer Dave Sjeklocha, DVM, operations manager of animal health and welfare at Cattle Empire, LLC, Satanta, Kansas.

The organization's executive director is Mike Simpson.

Paul Beck, PhD, professor at University of Arkansas is a newly-appointed board member representing the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS).

He replaces Mader as one of three ARPAS appointees.

PAACO's mission is to promote animal welfare through auditor training and audit certification.