Vice-Presidential candidate

Dr Mike Senn

Iam humbled and honored for the AASV vice president nomination. When asked if I would accept the nomination, I welcomed another opportunity to continue to serve the organization that has contributed to both my personal and professional development. The AASV has been my professional anchor, not only for top continuing education at each annual meeting, but also for the advocacy and strong relationships that it provides.

My involvement in agriculture began as a youth being raised on a diversified livestock and crop farm in Kansas and continues as the 4th generation engaged in its operation. My wife Stephanie and I have two children, Annika and Jakob, who are a senior and junior in high school.

Participation in 4-H and FFA as a youth set the foundation for volunteerism and leadership and I have served as a club and chapter officer, member of the veterinary school book store board of directors, county fair 4-H superintendent, and county fair board president. The AASV has continued giving opportunities to serve, including two terms on the board of directors, committee member, chair of the Foreign Animal Disease Committee (now Committee on Transboundary and Emerging Diseases), and student presentation judge. All these roles have provided me with the opportunity to not only serve, but also develop professional relationships and friendships that I will always cherish.

After obtaining my DVM from Kansas State University in 1991, I had the great opportunity to practice 4 years in 2 multi-veterinarian mixed animal practices in Minnesota and Kansas. The mentorship that I received from AASV members during my early career and throughout my career confirmed my passion for swine medicine and AASV. My wish for lifelong learning next lead me to Iowa State University as an Adjunct Instructor and Extension Swine Veterinarian while completing my MS in Swine Production Medicine in 1996. The mentoring and guidance of Drs Brad Thacker, Jim McKean, Jeff Zimmerman, and many other faculty and colleagues provided a strong basis for critical thinking and clinical research that have been instrumental to my career in veterinary medicine. Upon graduation from Iowa State University, I managed the health and biosecurity for the breeding stock division of a rapidly growing pork production system in the Midwest focusing on disease prevention, surveillance, and epidemiology in established and new farms. In 1998, I joined Pharmacia and Upjohn as a Technical Services Veterinarian, which lead to a nearly 20-year career with multiple mergers and acquisitions and company names ending with a leadership role with Zoetis in 2018. During this time, I provided technical support for products and I focused on clinical research, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, antibiotic regulatory issues, and emerging infectious disease surveillance. Since leaving Zoetis, I have continued to work as an independent consultant focusing in the livestock and animal health sectors.

In 2001, I became a Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician at Plum Island Animal Disease Center. This experience not only provided firsthand experience with devastating transboundary pathogens, but also concerns about preparedness and vulnerabilities of livestock in the United States and the world. The introduction of a transboundary disease, whether accidental or intentional, is a real and significant threat to the animals and clients that we serve. As an organization, we must continue to keep up and enhance our relationships with governmental agencies and producer groups to assure adequate organized surveillance and response programs. The AASV must continue taking a leadership role in the discussions at all levels of the process for these collaborations to best serve the swine industry.

One of the missions of AASV is to create opportunities that inspire personal and professional growth and interaction. I am pleased to see that the AASV board formed the Early Career Committee at their fall meeting to assess the needs of our recently graduated members. The transition from veterinary school to a post-graduation career is a challenging time, especially for those with low levels of mentoring and peer support. As those needs are assessed by the new committee, I expect new opportunities for our membership to step up and give guidance, coaching, and mentorship to this vital group of future leaders.

The challenges that AASV faces today, including changing regulatory issues, emerging and transboundary disease, animal well-being, and others will continue, and new challenges will surely evolve. Through the collaborative efforts of its members, AASV has and will continue to adapt, organize, and lead responses to these challenges. I am honored and excited for the opportunity to continue to serve this organization and address future challenges.