Executive Bios

Dr. Noam Pik

BVSc, BMVS, MBA, MACVS

CEO

BVSc, BMVS, MBA, MACVS

CEO

Graduated as a veterinary surgeon from Murdoch University, WA. Australia in 1996 after completing an independent research project on the effects of Progesterone on exercise physiology in racing mares. Noam gained further qualification in business management and marketing and has lectured at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel before returning to Australia in 2001 and establishing the South Eastern Animal Emergency Centre in 2003 and the Veterinary Referral Hospital in 2005. He is a member of the ANZCVS in the chapter of Emergency and Critical Care.

In 2008 Noam established the Australian Specialized Veterinary Pathology (ASAP) Laboratory (now part of Primary Healthcare) and Orivet Genetics Laboratory in 2010. The latter is focused on delivering personalized medicine and genetic solutions to veterinarians, pet owners and breeders of companion animals. He also helped build the Veterinary Genetics Assurance (VGA) program to breeders in Australia and around the world. Noam is a strategic consultant to Biotempus Ltd an Australian biotechnology company focusing on cancer and immune mediated diseases in both human and animals. Noam has a keen interest in delivering high quality clinically-oriented services to the veterinary community and especially in the fields of pathology, genetics, immunology and applied bioinformatics.

Dr. Lowell Akerman

DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS

VP Global Strategy & Business Development

DVM, DACVD, MBA,

MPA, CVA, MRCVS

VP Global Strategy

& Business Dev

Dr. Ackerman received his veterinary degree from the Ontario Veterinary College (Canada), and board certification from the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. Dr. Ackerman has a deep and rich knowledge of both the medical and business aspects of animal health.

In addition to his veterinary credentials, Dr. Ackerman also holds a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, a Certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration from Purdue University, and he is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) through the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).

He has extensive experience within the profession, with prior involvement in industry, private practice, academia, writing, and lecturing. He has authored or co-authored several books (including Five-Minute Veterinary Practice Management Consult, The Genetic Connection, Behavior Problems of the Dog & Cat, and Atlas of Small Animal Dermatology), and has lectured extensively on a global basis, on topics in both medicine and management.

George Sofronidis

BSc (Hons)

Managing Director

BSc (Hons)

Managing Director

George Sofronidis has over 20 years of dedicated experience in molecular biology and the way it can assist in areas of human and animal management. Following his initial work and research in forensic science at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and human diagnostics he moved his focus into the area of animal reproduction and conservation. George has worked at Monash University, Melbourne University and the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board. His strong appreciation for the benefits animals bring to our society saw George in 2000 establish Genetic Science Services, a company dedicated to bringing animals into the DNA testing revolution. George joined and managed the Animal Division at Genetic Technologies in 2003 managing facilities locally and in the Asia Pacific Region. George has developed a respected canine testing business and in October of 2010 he moved to Australian Specialized Animal Pathology (ASAP Laboratory) joining a team of highly qualified veterinary pathologists and scientists.

In January 2014 he became Managing Director of Orivet Genetic Pet Care and has a reputation of a Petrepreneur providing informative education seminars on companion animal genetics. “Genetic George” has continued to focus on educating breeders, vets, associations and pet owners on the benefits of DNA testing, in particular the insight it brings to dog and cat owners.

Dr. Wendy Hauser

DVM

Advisory Board Member

DVM

Advisory Board Member

Wendy Hauser, DVM earned her veterinary degree from Oklahoma State University in 1988. A small animal practitioner, she has been an associate, practice owner and has enjoyed a successful practice sale. In January 2015 Dr. Hauser left her position as an industry Technical Services Veterinarian to establish Peak Veterinary Consulting. She has been highly engaged in AAHA in both new initiatives and as an AAHA Board Member and Vice-President. She currently serves as the AAHA Delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates. Dr. Hauser was responsible for helping design and facilitate Colorado VMA’s Power of Ten, a recent graduate leadership academy and is in the process of creating a Power of Ten/Practice Managers program for Colorado Veterinary Practice Managers. Dr. Hauser is a communications coach at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hauser’s most recent career move is as AVP, Veterinary Relations, Crum and Forster Pet Insurance Group.

The published co-author of “The Veterinarian’s Guide to Healthy Pet Plans”, she enjoys consulting with hospitals and presenting workshops on hospital culture, associate development, leadership, client relations and operations.