USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact:  Larry Mark - (703) 451-3954 - ldmark@erols.com

For immediate release:

BENJAMIN RICHEY NAMED AS FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF USAHA

     RICHMOND, VA, Oct. 24, 2006 -- Benjamin Richey has been named Executive Director of the 
United States Animal Health Association (USAHA).
 
            Richey will take the helm as chief administrator of the organization on Nov. 1.  During the next 
year, operations for USAHA will shift from Richmond, VA, to a new headquarters in Kansas City, MO.
 
             “We reviewed many candidates and selected Benjamin for his track record of strong leadership 
and for his outstanding communications skills,” said USAHA President Lee M. Myers, DVM.
 
             As Executive Director, Richey will be responsible for relocating the central office, expanding membership, 
and coordinating the work and reports of some 33 committees.  He will also begin coordinating details for the 2007 
annual meeting in Reno, NV, with an expanded trade show.
 
“Having a professional executive director is a new direction for us,” Myers said.  “USAHA has long been member-
driven and member-operated.  We’ve relied on the time, talents and energy of our individual members to plan meetings, 
coordinate committees, author reports and produce our newsletter – all this in addition to their full-time jobs.
 
             “The addition of Ben will free our executive staff from the daily administrative duties required for maintaining an 
organization this size.  He will also provide the continuity we need to ensure that the good work of USAHA continues as 
its officers change from year to year.  We are excited to have Ben join our team,” added Myers.
 
Richey is a recent graduate of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture and a native of New Castle, IN.  Previously, he 
has served as Director of Communications for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) and as an account 
executive for a Kansas City-based advertising agency.
 
             The U.S. Animal Health Association has served as the nation’s animal health forum for more than a century.  
The science-based, dues-supported, voluntary organization has a broad membership, including individuals from state, 
federal and international animal and public health agencies, allied industry and professional organizations, academia and 
animal health professionals.
 
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