NVA Appoints Ken Burdick Executive Chairman Ahead of Future IPO

Board further strengthened with appointment of Mike McFarland as Director

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Veterinary Associates Group (“NVA”), a leading veterinary care organization, today announced it has strengthened its Board with the appointments of Ken Burdick as Executive Chairman and Dr. James “Mike” McFarland as Director. These executives bring substantial healthcare and public company experience ahead of the company’s future IPO.

Burdick is a seasoned public company executive with more than 40 years of healthcare experience. He currently serves as Executive Chairman at LifeStance Health (NASDAQ: LFST), a leading U.S. provider of outpatient mental healthcare. Since joining LifeStance as Chairman and CEO in 2022, he has led significant financial and operational transformation at the company. Previously, he spent six years as CEO of WellCare Health Plans, during which time the company delivered superb performance in both topline and profit margin expansion, resulting in exceptional value creation prior to being acquired by Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC). He previously held senior leadership positions at United Healthcare and Cigna Corporation. Burdick brings extensive public and private board experience. He has also devoted decades of service to non-profit organizations, including United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Tampa General Hospital.

Dr. McFarland also brings substantial public company experience, including more than 40 years in the veterinary healthcare industry. For the past 11 years, he held senior leadership roles at Zoetis, Inc., including Group Director of United States Companion Animal Marketing, Executive Vice President and Group President of the Accelerated Growth Businesses, and Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Before joining Zoetis, Mike spent 15 years in emergency medicine, including five years as the Medical Director for one of the country's first and largest after-hours emergency practices. Previously, he spent 13 years at Pfizer, Inc., serving as Group Director of CAD Veterinary Operations, Group Director of U.S. Veterinary Medical Services, and Director of Specialty Hospital Services for Pfizer Animal Health. Dr. McFarland earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1985.

Greg Hartmann, NVA Chairman, will remain on the Board and remains invested in the company, reinforcing his enduring confidence in NVA’s strategy and profitable growth opportunities.

“It is a privilege to welcome executives of their caliber,” said Hartmann. “Ken’s extensive public company and multi-site clinical experience will be a tremendous asset for NVA, our care teams and the veterinary profession. Mike brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and strategic acumen, shaped by decades of leadership in animal health, that will further strengthen our Board. I am excited to work closely with Ken, Mike, the Board and the NVA leadership team as we continue NVA’s journey of value creation.”

“I am honored to lead NVA as it continues on its pathway to becoming a blue-chip veterinary care company,” added Burdick. “NVA’s mission, culture, and commitment to compassionate clinical excellence resonate strongly with me, and I look forward to working with the Board and leadership team as we continue to build on NVA’s strong foundation to create long-term value for all stakeholders.”

“Having spent my career in animal health, I’ve long admired NVA’s focus on quality care, community, and clinical autonomy,” said McFarland. “I’m pleased to join the Board and help advance NVA’s continued growth and commitment to supporting veterinary teams and the pets they serve.”

About NVA

National Veterinary Associates Group is defining the future of pet health. NVA is a community of approximately 1,300+ premier locations across North America consisting of general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos Veterinary Health, which consists of world-class specialty and emergency hospitals, equine hospitals and pet resorts. For more information, visit http://www.nva.com.