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


For immediate release:

GEORGIA STATE VETERINARIAN TO HEAD USAHA

	MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Oct. 18, 2006 -- Dr. Lee M. Myers, Georgia State Veterinarian, 
was elected president of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) at its 110th 
annual meeting here this week.  USAHA is an organization of state and federal animal health 
officials, practicing veterinarians, livestock producers, research scientists, and others concerned 
with animal health.

More than 1,400 people -- a record-breaking attendance for the fifth consecutive year - attended 
this year's week-long conference, held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American 
Association of Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), to discuss issues related to the health of 
farm livestock, wildlife, poultry and fish.  The future of animal disease surveillance was the featured 
topic at this year's joint scientific session.

"With the hiring of an Executive Director for the first time in the history of USAHA, we will be 'grazing 
new pastures,'" Dr. Myers said.  "During the coming year, we will be focused on elevating the organization 
to the next level to better serve our members."

President-elect of USAHA is James Leafstedt, South Dakota pork producer.  Other officers are Dr. Don 
Hoenig, Maine State Veterinarian, first vice-president; Dr. Richard Breitmeyer, California State Veterinarian, 
second vice-president; Dr. Steven Halstead, Michigan State Veterinarian, third vice-president; Dr. William L. 
Hartmann, Minnesota State Veterinarian, treasurer; and Dr. J Lee Alley, retired Alabama State Veterinarian, 
secretary.

Regional delegates are Dr. R.J. Eckroade of Pennsylvania and Dr. Ernie Zirkle of New Jersey for the northeast; 
Velmar Green of Michigan and Jay Hawley of Indiana for the North Central; Dr. Wayne Godwin of Florida and 
Greg Rosales of Alabama for the South; and Herbert Richards, III, of Hawaii and William Sauble of New 
Mexico for the west.

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