Pet leadership council to form in the USA

The Board of Directors of the American Pet Products Association (APPA) voted unanimously to form what is to be known as the Pet Leadership Council. It will consist of approximately 20 company leaders from all segments of the industry and will focus on strengthening and consolidating key objectives and initiatives to keep the pet industry strong and vibrant. Its goal is also to consolidate the involvement and funding for key initiatives needed in order to promote, develop and maintain the advancement of the pet industry. The Pet Leadership Council will serve to foster research, development and training, promote a better understanding of the various segments of the industry, cooperatively address concerns of mutual interest, maintain a liaison between government and the industry, and provide joint publicity and public relations for the pet industry. APPA’s President and CEO Bob Vetere will oversee the new council as well as serve as a member (non-voting) of APPA’s Board of Directors. The APPA Board of Directors will now consist of nine voting members including: New Chairman Jim Heim of Central Garden & Pet; Secretary/Treasurer Robert Merar of General Pet Supply; Michael Farmer of GlobalOne Pet Products; Steve Ware of Ware Manufacturing; Brent Weinmann of Vitakraft Sunseed; Roger Morgan of PawTree LLC; Rodolfo Spielmann of Nutro; and the addition of two new members.