Veterinary Purchasing Company Limited Appoints a New CEO

ST. MARY'S, ON, Oct. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Veterinary Purchasing Company Limited (VPCL) today announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Rick Culbert takes over the role from Mr. Brendan Ginty, who is retiring after 39 years of leadership.

Mr. Culbert joins VPCL from Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., where he most recently served as President of the One Health business unit. He joined Bioniche (then Vetrepharm Inc.) in 1980 as the Ontario Regional Manager and held progressively senior roles in the Animal Health division of the Company before his One Health (Food Safety) leadership role. Mr. Culbert is a member of the Canadian Animal Health Institute's Board of Directors, where he has volunteered for 14 years, including serving as Chair from 2008 to 2010. He has also acted as Board member of the Ontario Centre for Rural Leadership.

Stated VPCL President & Board Chairman Dr. Greg Burke, "Mr. Culbert is a welcome addition to the VPCL team, and we look forward to working with him to continuously improve the service we provide to our member clinics. At the same time, on behalf of the Board of Directors, shareholders, employees and external partners of VPCL, I extend our great appreciation to Mr. Ginty for his almost four decades of excellent leadership. Mr. Ginty helped our organization to grow revenues from $11 million to $268 million and has established VPCL as a standard by which other veterinary distribution companies are measured." There will be retirement tribute for Mr. Ginty on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the Pyramid Centre in St Mary's, Ontario.

Mr. Culbert added his appreciation to Mr. Ginty, saying, "Building upon the solid foundation established by Brendan, I foresee a healthy future for the Veterinary Purchasing Company as we work with our members through the changing times in veterinary medicine, pet ownership and livestock rearing in Ontario."

"Being of service to member veterinary clinics, and appreciating the relationship between animal health, human health and environmental health is near and dear to my heart," added Mr. Culbert. " I look forward to meeting and working with our members in the coming years."

About Veterinary Purchasing Company Limited

VPCL is an organization owned solely by 1,100 licensed veterinarians. Its mandate is to purchase animal health products and hospital supplies for distribution to its members. The efficient inventory distribution provided by VPCL frees up clinic staff from these time consuming activities, and allows the 1,400 member clinics to focus on what they do best - provide excellent veterinary care for livestock and pets. For more information, please visit www.vpcl.on.ca.

SOURCE: Veterinary Purchasing Company Limited

Mr. Rick Culbert, CEO
Phone:  [phone]
Email: [email protected]