(PRESS RELEASE) The World Pet Association has announced key changes to its leadership team as it looks to forge greater ties within the pet community. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the organization seeks to grow its industry-leading event business while seeking to foster greater innovation with new media endeavors planned throughout the year. Industry veteran Vic Mason, named interim president, effective immediately, will lead these new initiatives.
“Our foundation in the pet industry is primed for launching new ventures across the consumer, B2B and pet community and I am proud to lead this organization through these new endeavors,” said Mason.
He will be joined by Chris Clevers, a 44-year industry veteran as chairman of the board. Outgoing President Jacinthe Moreau has resigned to pursue new opportunities.
Vic Mason has a 40-year tenure in the pet industry. Mason served as CEO and co-founder of Replenish Pet. Previously, he was director of business development and key accounts at Veterinary Service, a large West Coast distributor servicing the animal health industry. Mason has been a WPA board member since 2010 most recently serving as chairman.
Clevers has worked in aquatics related businesses at various levels for almost 44 years. He has worked with the Hikari nutrition team and Hikari Sales USA for the past 22 years. Clevers has been a board member of WPA since 2013 and served on the executive committee as well as the liaison to the Pet Care Trust in addition to other committees and task forces.
Founded in 1950, WPA is the pet industry’s oldest nonprofit organization. Based in Southern California, WPA coordinates industry-defining trade shows — SuperZoo, Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference and America’s Family Pet Expo, a consumer pet and pet product expo. Through WPA’s Good Works program, proceeds from these events are funneled back into key industry organizations and nonprofits with the goal of making it easier for pet industry professionals to do business. WPA’s mission is to support the business needs of pet retailers and to promote responsible growth and development of the pet industry by providing thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues; lead efforts in the public sector to inform consumers and ensure safe, healthy lifestyles for all animals; and provide business resources, education, content and services to ensure pet product retailers have the support they need to be competitive.
worldpetassociation.org