May 11, 2021

Aviagen North America appoints new vice president of veterinary services

Aviagen North America has appointed Dr. Kate Hayes as its new vice president of veterinary services.

Based in Elkmont, Alabama, the United States, Dr. Hayes will report to president of North America Dr. Marc de Beer. She will leads a team of veterinary, laboratory, biosecurity and animal welfare specialists to support the safety and security of the world's poultry supply. As such, she and her team will work together with Aviagen's internal experts worldwide to help customers continually improve the health and welfare of their flocks.

Dr. Hayes previously served in Aviagen as associate veterinarian and production programme veterinarian , where she effectively led the grandparent (GP) and great grandparent (GGP) operations of Aviagen's veterinary services, as well as the company's Elkmont, Alabama veterinary laboratory. During the tenure, she was instrumental in helping the company become the first primary breeder in the US to achieve the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) "Avian Influenza Clean Compartment" certification.

Alongside her Aviagen duties, Dr. Hayes further contributes to the industry as chair of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV) examination committee and co-chair of the mentorship subcommittee for the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) Membership Committee.

Dr. Hayes earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and a Master's in avian health and medicine from the University of Melbourne (Australia). She is also a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.

"Kate brings to this position a breadth of education and expertise, combined with proven leadership abilities and a passion for our birds and for people," said Dr. de Beer. "I have full confidence in her ability to successfully lead this role that is of vital importance to Aviagen and our customers."

"I am honored to serve our company in this new capacity, and am proud of the part we play in feeding current and future generations with a healthy and sustainable protein," said Dr. Hayes. "It is an inspiration to work each day alongside a tremendously talented and dedicated group of professionals with whom I share a passion for upholding our company's robust health, biosecurity and welfare standards as they serve to strengthen the safety and well-being of our birds."

- Aviagen