Connecting members with the latest news from USAHA, and with each other.

December 2024

Hey USAHA, What's Up?

We trust that by now, two months after the close of the 2024 Annual Meeting, you have fully settled back into “regular life” so it seems like a perfect time to recap, reminisce a little, provide you with some brain teasers, and set the tone for 2025.

A lot has happened since we left Nashville – two supermoons have risen and set; a once-in-a-millenium comet was visible with the naked eye in our night skies (and has a name that will be the source of grade school Spelling B championship rounds forever more); spectacular meteor showers have dazzled us; and the aurora borealis viewing has been unprecedented in many parts of the country. But putting aside these celestial wonders, we know that one of the most inspiring things enhancing our daily lives here on earth, and especially in our small world of agriculture, is the connection that we have with USAHA colleagues and friends, some of whom only gather in person once a year in sites across the country for a short time in October. We’ve been doing it for xxx years, and there is fortunately no end in sight.

In this edition of Connection, we are pleased to provide you with an Annual Meeting wrap up, and we look forward to continuing to connect you all in the months in between Annual Meetings in 2025 and beyond. Enjoy the read this time around!     

Barb was an influential member of the USAHA executive committee from 2014 – 2019 and served as USAHA president in 2018. During that tenure and since, Barb has worked tirelessly to raise and modernize the profile of USAHA. She led her team at Heartland Marketing Group in the pro bono revision and modernization of the USAHA logo into what we enjoy today. Barb’s contributions to USAHA’s website, informational brochures, and media relations speak to her ongoing passion and commitment to our organization. And let’s not forget the pivotal role Barb has served in the annual Government Relations Committee meeting and her coordination of the accompanying Hill visits, which have elevated USAHA’s profile with key lawmakers over multiple Administrations.

Barb posing with Steve Crawford,

2024 USAHA president.

Despite her lengthy list of noteworthy professional accomplishments, Barb is proudest of the accomplishment she and her husband Steve have shared – their family. Barb and Steve have raised 3 successful children and now enjoy as much time as possible on the farm with their 3 grandchildren. Barb’s oldest, Lucy, told her grandmother that the Medal of Distinction looks like an Olympic medal, perhaps in a mildly envious way since Lucy is a competitive swimmer and the recipient of several medals herself. Barb’s middle-little, Archie, waxed a little less poetically and got right to the point with “It’s really heavy.” Well stated, Archie, and for the time being, Barb’s “really heavy” gold medal is packaged up safely until the perfect office spot for its display can be determined.

(Above) Barb with her grandchildren - Lucy (far left); Archie (middle right);

and Eli (front and center) - and her husband, Steve

We recently asked Barb to reminisce a bit about the USAHA logo revision, and she summed things up perfectly by saying “We don’t only communicate on a letterhead anymore.” Barb noted that the current USAHA logo is the result of honoring tradition while also ensuring relevance in today’s marketing world. Versatility is key, and the USAHA logo allows for modified use by the USAHA districts, appears clean and professional in USAHA’s digital media, and is immediately recognizable on USAHA’s print materials. It also looks darn good on a hat!

Barb and Steve enjoying some

down time over Thanksgiving

Federal Partnership Award

USAHA’s federal members and partners are instrumental in our organization’s success, and USAHA recognizes that importance annually through the presentation of the Federal Partnership Award to a worthy recipient who has demonstrated outstanding service to the betterment of animal health in the United States (US). Steven Olsen has been doing exactly that for the last 33 years, spearheading research and advancements that support the control and understanding of brucellosis, a disease that has impacted US agriculture for more than a century. Steven is a worthy recipient of the 2024 Federal Partnership Award, and in true USAHA form, he, too, was surprised at the announcement of his name during the awards ceremony in Nashville.

As a Research Veterinary Medical Officer at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa, Steven’s research directly supports the USDA federal and state cooperative brucellosis eradication effort and has focused on vaccines and vaccine platforms for cattle, bison, and elk. In fact, he was instrumental in the approval and licensure of the brucellosis vaccine RB51, which replaced and improved upon the previously utilized strain 19 vaccine. Add those benchmark accomplishments to Steven’s track record of being able to communicate and advocate across every agricultural stakeholder sector and provide an influential voice in MANY brucellosis working groups and committees, and you have an exemplary partner. In short, every USAHA member, regardless of discipline, has benefitted directly or indirectly from Steven’s work.

One may wonder how Steven maintains a healthy work-life balance considering his many professional obligations. His recipe for success on that front is to stay busy with home projects and recreational pursuits. Steven does have livestock on his 10-acre farm – primarily sheep and steers – and he also enjoys his “petstock”, primarily in the form of canine companions. He and his wife have 3 children, all of driving age, so Steven has developed an affinity for and expertise in DIY vehicle maintenance. He also admits to showing the same love for his multiple tractors; he has one for each day of the week, to be exact! When pressed, Steven admitted to being the beneficiary of the words “have I got a deal for you…” more than once. When not perfecting his amateur mechanical skills, Steven works diligently on his family’s 1902 Victorian home. Although the foundation, plumbing, and electric overhauls were completed years ago, the woodworking improvements and finishing touches are works in progress and a labor of love.

Ever heard of Ragbrai? We will let you google that one, but we will just say here that Steven and his wife are seasoned experts in this bike ride across Iowa. Steven participates annually, and his wife has completed Ragbrai in its entirety twice. 80,000 bikes, lots of beer tents, plenty of food, and camaraderie – what could be better?!

Steven is a team player at home and at work, and he speaks very highly of his NADC colleagues who are part of his work team. Steven also let us know how important USAHA is to the work for which he and his NADC team are responsible. He stated “The ability to network with state and federal animal health officials and with industry representatives is critical to my NADC team because we are so tightly integrated with regulatory animal health programs across the US. USAHA provides a forum to share important disease research information with others and to learn of the needs of partners that may inform NADC’s research priorities. Even the spontaneous hallway conversations at the Annual Meeting can turn into something valuable that allows me to gain novel insights that need follow-up when back at home.” We couldn’t agree more with Steven about the perks of USAHA and congratulate him on his well-deserved Federal Partnership Award.

Q&A with Kate Levine, USAHA’s Newest

Executive Committee Member

Maintaining continuity of leadership and ensuring mentorship are two of the many things that USAHA does very well. Each year, a USAHA member in good standing is nominated by their district, elected by the membership, and codified by the Board of Directors (BOD) to join the USAHA executive committee (EC) as 3rd vice president (VP). It is a 6-year commitment, and by all accounts to date, it is worth every minute. The USAHA bylaws ensure that the seasoned immediate past president and coming 3rd VP originate from the same USAHA district, thereby facilitating a comfortable mechanism for mentorship by the EC’s most experienced leadership member for the benefit of our least. After all, what could be more rewarding and comfortable than learning the ropes from a colleague with whom you are “in the trenches back at home.” During the 2024 Annual Meeting, we bore witness to Steve Crawford (NH) rotating out of the USAHA presidency for the 2nd time (thank you, Steve), and we also celebrated Kate Levine (VT) (pronounced “le-VEENE”) becoming USAHA’s latest 3rd VP.

The northeast team: 3rd Vice President Kate Levine (center); Immediate Past President and one of Kate’s mentors, Steve Crawford (left); and Executive Director Ben Richey (right).

Kate will be completing a successful term as president of USAHA’s northeast district in spring 2025 and will carry the lessons learned during her district leadership tenure into her national leadership role for benefit of all USAHA members. We recently interviewed Kate to help you learn a little bit more about her. Keep reading to do just that!

Q: What inspired you to put your name in the hat as 3rd VP on the USAHA EC?

A: Several colleagues in the northeast had served as president of USAHA, including my first supervisor in regulatory veterinary medicine. Her passion for this organization set the stage for me to throw myself into leadership, first in the northeast and now on the national level. I have been told by people that I respect and admire that this is the best thing they've ever done professionally, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to experience the same.

Q: What is your favorite thing about USAHA?

A: USAHA is a unique opportunity to discuss our niche experiences and make tangible change for the better. Our backgrounds may be diverse but the enthusiasm is universal. I leave each USAHA meeting energized and inspired to push our industries forward. It truly reminds me of why I love my job and reinforces the fact that I have found “my people!”

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as an EC member over the next 6 years?

A: USAHA can look to AAVLD as an organization that is making strong efforts toward inclusion and diversity. I would like us to match their efforts in encouraging a greater range of experiences. Additionally, USDA has focused recent funding programs on Tribal Nations, but there is no tribal representation on the USAHA BOD. As various national policy programs are discussed in coming years, including as many perspectives as possible on the BOD will benefit USAHA and US agriculture. 

Q: What is something about you that not many people know but that you don’t mind sharing with USAHA members?

A: My love language is food. I love to bake and plan meals, especially if there is a theme or a person I am specifically creating for. A three-course meal using every part of the duck, desserts that are allergen free, a Superbowl themed high tea... I once prepared trout 4 different ways using just the fish we caught and ingredients I could find at a gas station! 

Q: What is your favorite hobby and how do you enjoy spending your time when not working?

A: I love to travel! I am currently perfecting my techniques for 104-hour trips along the eastern US and western Europe. And when not traveling, I am spending an embarrassing amount of time listening to Eurovision music and watching sumo wrestling... (note from the editor: this will definitely prompt a future Connection article!)

And Kate left us with this sentiment - which embodies one of the things that is so rewarding about USAHA – the interpersonal connections we all develop and carry through our careers: “If you see me around, come talk to me about the niche things you know and love. My favorite things are hearing about the unique knowledge and passions that people have. Be prepared for questions because I will go with you down the rabbit hole!”



USAHA members, you have been duly warned, and Kate, welcome to the EC and thank you for stepping into this role!

Kate enjoys some down time up in the saddle perfecting her bull riding skills

during an evening out at the 2023 Annual Meeting

In August, we asked you to get ‘em out, line ‘em up, and bring ‘em along. And you did. In spades. And while some boots were too busy in Nashville getting attendees to and from meetings or dancing the night away out on the town, a few pairs of boots insisted that their people enter them in this inaugural Annual Meeting contest. And out of that trailblazer group of boots, a clear winner emerged. Congratulations to the solemates of MaRyka Smith for taking home the gold!

A slide taken from our Hot Topics speaker’s presentation about influenza could also double as a map of the Gaylord Opryland. Many breadcrumbs were sprinkled!

Thank you, Sponsors!

Generosity makes the world go ‘round, and our sponsors, many of whom are also USAHA members, colleagues, and friends, helped make the 2024 Annual Meeting go ‘round. And they did it with grace under challenging circumstances. As an attendee, even if you successfully found your way to the various committee meeting rooms and to the food and coffee, you may not have thrown enough breadcrumbs to make it to the exhibition hall to network directly with our wonderful sponsors.

These generous companies made sure meeting attendees did not go without. They fed us, kept us hydrated with daytime and nighttime beverages, provided lovely environments for professional networking and camaraderie, and answered our questions about their products and services. Many of our sponsor company representatives also hold USAHA leadership positions and therefore wear multiple proverbial hats at the Annual Meeting. In short, the USAHA Annual Meeting would not be what it is today without sponsor support. We are pleased to recognize and thank the companies referenced below.

And we didn’t catch up with every sponsor, but we convinced some of them to pose for the camera. Please enjoy some candid photos of some of our bighearted sponsors sporting big smiles!

Michael McGrath (left), Brian McCluskey (center), and Kathy Finnerty (right) were among those representing Trace First.

Thank you again, friends, for your generous support of USAHA!

Now, if you are game for a brain teaser that is very sponsor-oriented (hint hint), let’s play “What in the Heck is That?”

Todd Adams (left), Kasey Blagg (left center), Dave “the tag guy” McElhaney (right center), and Kody Dee Williams (right) enjoying some work time while also representing Allflex/Merck Animal Health RFID Infrastructure Team.

Above: Becca Johnson (left), Michelle Sheepstra (left center), Marty Zaluski (right center); Michael Russell (right) standing strong during the evening reception sponsored by GlobalVetLink.

Any ideas? The answer to this pressing question will be revealed in the next edition of Connection, in addition to a shout-out to the savvy winner. If you think you know, send your answer to us at kelly@usaha.org and we will highlight your game winning prowess in 2025. Please note: the purveyors of this product may have to recuse themselves from playing, or at least from winning!

What happens after the Annual Meeting lights go down?

You guessed it – there is always still work to be done, for our organization as a whole and for you as members. In the immediate aftermath of all Annual Meetings, there is the breakdown event, not to be confused with the breakdancing event because, c’mon, nobody wants to see that! As you are touching back down in your home airport, all the nuts and bolts of the meeting get packed up by USAHA’s hardworking staff and a few rookie members in preparation for shipping back to the home office. Leftover caffeinated beverages and work room chocolate fuel this effort, keeping all responders alert and on task…

Although both were fueled on plenty of caffeine, only one of these breakdown rookies actually participated in the exercise. But we don’t want to out anyone here so will let you be the judge!

and as long as the rookies stay mostly out of the way of those who actually know what they are doing, the job gets done!

As those in the know, Kaylin Taylor and Kelly Janicek banish Steve Rommereim and Ben Richey to the observation-only gallery.

Every successful mission needs a great boss; Kim Sprout expertly directs Ben Richey.

Once satisfied with the packing job, our USAHA executive director completes his final inspection.

Ben Richey contemplates the best configuration for the ratchet straps. And who are we kidding? He most certainly is already thinking about the 2025 Annual Meeting. An excellent executive director’s mind is never idle.



And then the Annual Meeting is a wrap!

The Annual Meeting is always a blast but getting home is great, too!

But you still may have work to do so we will close 2024 out with a few reminders and important links:

2024 USAHA Resolutions

As a whole, USAHA membership approved 25 total combined resolutions.

Visit https://usaha.org/usaha-resolutions/ to view them.

You have heard it before – the USAHA resolutions are our organization’s most important work products! Over the past decade, we have produced between 18 and 44 resolutions annually, and 18 was a low-end outlier in 2020 due to the pandemic. USAHA resolutions embody a significant amount of work completed by members of our 19 committees and 12 subcommittees (including those we share with AAVLD) and reflect the important issues of our time. Resolutions drive change, set policy, and clarify goals for collaborations with partner agencies and organizations. In short, they are important and deserve our collective due diligence.  

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