VHMA Board 2025-2027

Boudreau

President

Leslie Boudreau, BASVT, RVTg, CVPM, SPHR, PHR, PHRca (Huntington Beach, CA)

Leslie has been a Veterinary Technologist and Practice Manager in Southern California for over 30 years. She earned her A.S. in Veterinary Technology from Mt. San Antonio College and her BASVT in Veterinary Technology – Hospital Management from St. Petersburg College. In 2011, Leslie became a CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager). Leslie also holds three human resources certifications, which she uses daily at her busy practice of 60 staff members. Leslie is currently the Practice Manager/Administrator at Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach, an eight-veterinarian, AAHA-accredited, small animal and exotic practice.

In addition to practice management, she is passionate about veterinary technician issues and is a past President of CaRVTA (California Registered Veterinary Technician Association). She sits on the advisory boards for two veterinary technician colleges and volunteers on AVMA site visit teams as an RVT member. She serves on the AVMA Committee on Advancing Veterinary Technicians and Technologists (CAVTT) as the representative for VHMA.

Leslie has authored practice management articles for Firstline Magazine and was a practice management consultant for Novartis Animal Health. In addition, Leslie speaks on a wide range of practice management topics as a presenter for local and national practice management and veterinary technician conferences and programs.

Leslie is very active with the Orange County Veterinary Hospital Manager's Group and is a founding member and frequent speaker. The group aims to mentor and encourage local managers to become CVPMs.

Leslie is avid about veterinary practice management, helping the profession grow and adapt to future changes. Since 2013, she has enjoyed volunteering her time with the VHMA. She started serving on the Program Committee and then, in 2017, was elected as a Director and recently served as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President on the VHMA Board.

Kim Hettinga

Vice President

Kim Hettinga-Moore, BSN, CVPM (Seattle, WA)

With more than 30 years of experience in veterinary practice management, Kim brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to leadership grounded in mentorship, collaboration, and continuous improvement. She is deeply committed to developing and retaining high-performing teams and driving professional and organizational growth.

Her passion for the veterinary industry began while working at a small animal hospital in Seattle as she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington. This experience inspired her long-standing commitment to leadership, education, and mentorship.

A dedicated member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) since 2000, Kim has actively pursued professional excellence throughout her career. She earned her Certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration from Purdue University in 2001 and achieved Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification in 2006, a milestone she considers among her most meaningful accomplishments.

Kim spent 26 years as Hospital Administrator of AAHA-accredited Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in Seattle, where she played an integral role in expanding the practice from a small team to a thriving, 9-doctor hospital with more than 40 team members. Under her leadership, the hospital was recognized as Seattle's Best Veterinary Practice in the 2018 Readers' Choice Poll. She later continued her leadership journey in a growing South Seattle practice, further broadening her experience and impact.

Her background includes other leadership roles in single-site and multi-site practices, as well as in an emergency, critical care, and specialty setting. In addition to her operational expertise, Kim has contributed to the profession through volunteer service, including work with AAHA's ACE Committee and the VHMA Education and Programming Advisory Group.

Since joining the VHMA Board of Directors in 2019, Kim has served in multiple leadership roles, including Director, Secretary, Treasurer, and, most recently, Vice President. She is passionate about supporting the growth and success of veterinary leaders. She is honored to give back to the association and community that has been foundational to her own professional journey.

Jacobs

Treasurer

Kim Jacobs, CVPM, CCFP (Hickory Creek, TX)

Kim's career in veterinary management began as a happy accident. After 13 years in retail leadership, she came across a help-wanted ad for a local veterinary clinic and was ready for a new challenge. With 24 years in the veterinary industry, Kim reflects on those early days as the clinic's only employee—wearing every hat from receptionist to technician assistant and gaining hands-on experience in every aspect of the practice. In 2004, she was promoted to Practice Manager, and everything clicked. Under her leadership and with the support of a forward-thinking practice owner, the clinic has grown into a four-doctor, seventeen-staff hospital. Her innovative mindset included a staff daycare in the new hospital she helped design.

Kim joined the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) in 2007 and was immediately inspired by its education and sense of community, thinking, "These are my people!" She earned her Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential in 2010 and set a goal to empower and uplift fellow managers across the profession.

Kim's passion for the field led her to volunteer with the VHMA Ethics Committee in 2014, where she was appointed Chair in 2019. Since 2021, she has served on the VHMA Board as Director and Secretary. Outside of VHMA, Kim became certified in Compassion Fatigue in 2020 and co-moderates an online peer support group for veterinary professionals facing burnout—an initiative driven by empathy and a deep commitment to colleague well-being. She is one of the founders of the Denton County Veterinary Practice Managers Group, a local network of practice managers dedicated to sharing knowledge, building connections, and supporting one another in leadership. Kim looks forward to continuing her service on the VHMA Board and giving back to the profession that has shaped her journey.

Crockett

Secretary

Susie Crockett, CVPM (Brownsburg, IN)

Susie Crockett began her veterinary career as a receptionist in 1999 for a two-facility practice while attending Purdue University. She graduated from Purdue University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication.

She has managed General Practice, Emergency, Low Cost, and Specialty Hospitals throughout her career. She is the Director of Practice Management for Noah's Animal Hospital, overseeing eight practice managers and operations for nine locations.

She actively participated in the Veterinary Management Association of Indiana (VMAI) as Vice President and President. Susie joined the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) in 2008, earning her CVPM certification in 2009. She has served on the Membership Committee and was a 2013 Special Education Task Force member. She was an elected member of the CVPM Board for 10 years, serving all positions. She is a current member and past chair of the VHMA DEI Task Force. Susie is a member of the Credentialing Task Force and the Industry Advisory Panel. She was elected to serve as Director on the VHMA Board in 2023.

Susie is a contributing author to articles in AAHA Trends and has worked with the AVMA as a presenter on the Workplace Wellbeing Certificate Program: Setting the Foundation. She also contributed a module to the AVMA Journey for Teams program. She has been a member of multiple committees within several organizations, including the Veterinary Management Association of Indiana and Veterinary Medical Association Executives.

Susie is a speaker on a regular basis for a group of veterinary managers and leaders. She has given presentations for industry partners, VHMA, AVMA, IVMA, NAVC (HiVE and Vetfolio), WVC, and VetGirl, with a primary focus on topics for Veterinary Practice Management, Leadership and Veterinary Business Operations.

Graham

Director

Joanne Graham, MS, CVPM, SHRM-CP (Nashville, TN)

Joanne Graham is a seasoned veterinary operations leader with over a decade of experience driving growth and excellence in veterinary practice management, providing operational and financial performance, driving efficiency, profitability, and strategic growth.

With a strong foundation in veterinary practice management, Joanne has held regional operational roles for over eight years, previously serving as a practice manager in companion animal, large animal, and hybrid emergency/general practice settings. Her diverse background enables her to navigate the complexities of veterinary business operations while fostering a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and medical excellence.

Joanne became a CVPM in 2015, one of the best decisions she ever made! She holds a master's degree in organizational psychology, a discipline that fuels her passion for workplace dynamics, leadership development, and team performance. Her expertise in behavioral science and organizational effectiveness allows her to implement strategies that enhance employee engagement, strengthen workplace culture, and drive sustainable business growth. She is passionate about mentorship, change management, and fostering high-performing veterinary teams.

Joanne is deeply committed to developing leaders, mentorship, and education, empowering veterinary professionals to grow and succeed. She believes in the power of coaching and continuous learning to cultivate strong, engaged teams. Her leadership is rooted in a dedication to medical excellence and client experience, ensuring that veterinary hospitals provide exceptional care while maintaining operational efficiency and a thriving workplace culture.

Joanne was selected as a VHMA Emerging Leader in 2015 and served on the VHMA Board as a Director from 2019 to 2021.

McCue

Director

Joan McCue, CVPM (Aiken, SC)

Veterinary medicine is a second act for Joan; her professional background was in public relations, marketing, and event planning until she took some time to be home with her two children. In 2014, she joined Brookfield Animal Hospital in Brookfield, CT, as their practice manager, with no prior veterinary experience. The learning curve was indeed steep, but Joan embraced the challenge and felt she had found her professional niche. She was an active member of the Veterinary Management Council of CT (VMCC) and served a term on their Board of Directors.

In 2020, Joan and her husband moved to South Carolina. Joan spent about a year working part-time for a veterinary consulting firm and used that time to earn her CVPM. Joan joined All God's Creatures Veterinary Hospital in Augusta, Georgia in January of 2022 as their practice manager and served on the inaugural Practice Safety Committee for Heartland Veterinary Partners. Almost exactly a year later, in 2023, she accepted her current position as Hospital Manager of Veterinary Services of Aiken, a four-doctor, AAHA-Accredited, Feline Friendly Certified practice and boarding facility. As a manager, Joan is a fierce advocate for her team, believes in servant leadership, and leads firmly, fairly, and with kindness. She is dedicated to raising the professional bar in our field while modeling a healthy work-life balance and leading by example.
Joan enjoys coaching other managers and learning from her colleagues. In her spare time, Joan competes in the sport of dressage with her equine partner, Southern Belle, and is an avid South Carolina Gamecocks football fan.

A VHMA member since 2014, Joan volunteers for the CVPM Jumpstart Ambassador program, serves on the Education and Program Committee, and volunteers for the Certification Board, serving the new CVOM program.

Bankovich

Director

Bethany Bankovich Mihalik, CVPM, MHRM, CVT, CCFP (Lancaster, PA)

Bethany currently serves as the Hospital Administrator of Neffsville Veterinary Clinic, a 10-doctor, AAHA-accredited small animal practice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With over 17 years of veterinary industry experience, she has been managing practices since 2008 and briefly worked as an Account Training Manager for Vetstreet in 2011.

Working in private practice gives Bethany the unique opportunity to lead from the front—developing and testing innovative ideas, workflows, and strategies to address some of the biggest challenges in the profession. From tackling burnout and improving team culture to refining client communication and operational efficiency, she's passionate about creating sustainable, forward-thinking solutions that work in the real world of veterinary medicine.

She earned her B.S. in Communications from Clarion University in 2004, followed by an M.H.R.M./M.B.A. from Saint Francis University in 2006. She later completed her A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology at the Bel-Rea Institute in Denver, Colorado in 2010. She became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) in 2015 and earned her Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) credentials in 2019. An NCAA All-American and college record holder in the 200 butterfly at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Bethany attributes her leadership and perseverance in veterinary management to the resilience she developed through years of competitive swimming.

Bethany is deeply committed to animal welfare and community engagement. She served nine years on the Board of Directors for the Lehigh Valley Humane Society in Allentown, PA, including multiple terms in various officer positions and, most recently, as Immediate Past President. She currently volunteers as Treasurer for the Manheim Township K-9 Foundation, supporting the local police K-9 program, a role she has held since 2023.

She remains active in the veterinary profession through her membership with the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), contributing to industry publications such as Veterinary Team Brief and PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Magazine, and speaking nationally for various industry partners. Bethany was appointed to the VHMA Board of Directors in 2024.

Norris

Director

Kristen Norris, CVPM, CPACO (Bryan, TX)

With over 20 years in the veterinary industry and more than a decade as a practice manager, Kristen has developed a deep passion for veterinary practice management, especially mentoring others and supporting their professional growth.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries from Texas A&M University, she became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) in 2019 and earned her Certified Professional Animal Care Operator (CPACO) credential in 2024. Kristen is an active member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), where she has served on the Educational and Programming Committee, the Industry Advisory Panel, and participated in CVPM Question Writing Workshops. Most recently, she was honored to serve as the emcee for the VHMA 2024 Annual Conference. She is also a committed member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), expanding her knowledge in people management, employee engagement, and organizational development.

Kristen currently manages a thriving private practice in Texas and takes a special interest in helping other privately owned practices grow and succeed. She is leading a major expansion of her hospital and lodging facility and is passionate about sharing what she learns to help others navigate the challenges of construction and facility development.

Her areas of expertise include staff development and optimization, KPI tracking and evaluation, and anything involving an Excel spreadsheet. Kristen’s leadership style is rooted in integrity, positivity, and a strong commitment to her team and clients. She lives by the advice of Mark Opperman: “The number one limiting factor to your success is the quality of your employees.”

Outside of work, she volunteers for local animal shelters and runs a reptile rescue, continuing her lifelong dedication to animal care and community service.

Waldrop

Director

Cody Waldrop, MBA, CVPM, SHRM-CP (Land O'Lakes, FL)

With 20 years in the veterinary field, Cody has evolved from hands-on patient care to overseeing multi-site, multi-state operations. His diverse experience spans general practice, mixed animal, cat-only, and hybrid general practice/urgent care settings, as well as private, corporate, partnership, and franchise business models. He is well-versed in both acquisitions and de novo development, with a proven track record of successfully onboarding and integrating new practices into scalable operational systems.

In 2019, Cody was promoted to a multi-site leadership role, where he initially managed his home hospital and three additional hospitals in Florida. Due to his leadership, he was entrusted with an additional three practices, expanding his network to seven practices across the state. He then joined a start-up at the pre-revenue stage, where he played a key role in growing the network from zero to sixteen practices across twelve states.

Today, Cody serves as a Principal Veterinary Business Consultant at PetSmart Veterinary Services, supporting 23 practices across 10 states and Puerto Rico. He leverages his knowledge of the field, practice management, and leadership to oversee and guide practices nationwide, optimizing standard operating procedures, communication, and workplace culture to create a positive and efficient environment for his current and future teams.

Cody holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a Minor in Biomedical Physics from the University of South Florida. He is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) and a SHRM-Certified Human Resource Professional (SHRM-CP), with core strengths in strategic leadership, operational efficiency, team development, and project execution.

Cody's involvement in the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) began in 2018 and has been instrumental in his success, providing a supportive community of peers and resources. He has served on the VHMA Industry Advisory Panel since 2019 and the VHMA Board of Directors since 2023. He is also an active member of the One Health Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Cody is passionate about all aspects of practice management, with a particular interest in One Health, OSHA compliance, and fostering the human-animal bond.

Zimmerman

Immediate Past President

Scott Zimmerman, BFA, CVPM (Decatur, GA)

Scott began working in veterinary medicine in 2010 as the Practice Manager for Dearborn Animal Hospital in Decatur, GA. In 2020, he became Dearborn's Hospital Administrator. Before his current position, he spent 25+ years in nonprofit management, primarily in youth leadership and development programs such as the Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire USA. He also served as the Managing Director of a professional theatre Company. Scott has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Design and Production in Drama from the University of Oklahoma.

Scott has had many highlights at Dearborn, including overseeing the design and build-out of a new hospital. He led his team to meet AAHA standards and become an accredited hospital. He has grown his practice from three to six doctors and more than tripled his staff and budget in the past 16 years. Joining the VMHA has allowed him to continue growing his knowledge and build a network of top professionals. In 2015, he achieved one of his goals, becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). Scott is a part-owner of Dearborn and continues to plan for the hospital's success and future. Plans are already underway to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Dearborn as an independently owned and operated hospital.
Scott joined the VHMA Membership Committee/Advisory Panel in 2014 and, in 2015, stepped into the role of committee chair until joining the Board of Directors eight years ago. Since then, Scott has served on the VHMA Board as a Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and President in 2023 - 2025. He served on the VHMA Critical Issue Task Forces (Value-Based Strategic Pricing and Workforce Crisis).

He always enjoys serving as a conference buddy for our new members and first-time attendees at the VHMA conferences. Scott is a firm believer in using the resources that VHMA has for our members, and developing a strong network of managers is a critical part of success for all managers in veterinary hospitals.