President and CEO Bob Vetere to retire

Bob Vetere, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA) will retire following Global Pet Expo 2019 in March. Steve King, president of the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), has been chosen by the APPA board to be Vetere's successor. King will join APPA in January 2019; both will work together to ensure a smooth transition.Vetere has headed APPA since 2002. Under his leadership, APPA's membership has grown from 668 to 1 270 current members, according to the association. He has led several pet industry-wide initiatives and is credited with establishing the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, the Pets Add Life Campaign, and the Pet Leadership Council.