Michael T. Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP

A 1983 graduate of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Cavanaugh became the executive director of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) in January 2010. As such, Dr. Cavanaugh is responsible for AAHA’s national headquarters located in Denver, Colo. where he oversees a staff of 75 and an annual budget in excess of $11 million.

Dr. Cavanaugh manages the administrative affairs of the Association, carrying out its programs and policies. He also represents AAHA on the board of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) and at the North American Veterinary Medical Educational Consortium. 

Dr. Cavanaugh practiced at AAHA-accredited hospitals in Illinois and Colorado before opening the AAHA-accredited West Ridge Animal Hospital in Topeka, Kan. in 1988. During his practice years, Dr. Cavanaugh was very active in organized veterinary medicine and held numerous volunteer leadership and committee positions within AAHA. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Canine and Feline) in 1996, and recertified in 2006. 

In addition to his experience as a companion animal practitioner, Dr. Cavanaugh gained valuable experience working in the animal health industry. He served as a part-time consultant with Hill’s Pet Nutrition until 1996 when he sold his practice, and as a technical services director for Heska Corporation for four years prior to joining Pfizer Animal Health in 2000. At Pfizer, Dr. Cavanaugh held positions of increasing responsibility, including director of veterinary hospital services where he led a group of nearly 50 veterinarians. 

In 2002 he received the Alumni Recognition Award from Kansas State University, and in 2009, was named Industry Partner of the Year by the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. He is an affiliate faculty member in the department of clinical sciences at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. 

Sam L. Romano

Sam L. Romano is currently president and co-owner of Central Veterinary Emergency Services located in The Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado (VRCC).  VRCC is a multi-specialty practice serving the Denver and front-range community since 1992.  He has a special interest in communication skills training and coaches junior veterinary students in the communication skills lab at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Sam has also served as a veterinary student mentor for Colorado Veterinary Medical Association the past several years.
Dr. Romano consults in the veterinary industry and has additional training in business management, strategic planning and organizational development. He is current president of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society.

Beth Spencer

Dr. Beth Spencer has practiced small animal medicine in Denver since 2001.  For the past 5 years, she has been the Medical Director at Firehouse Animal Hospital.   Her hospital participated in an intense year long communications program through Argus.  Dr. Spencer received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and her BS from Yale University. Dr. Spencer lives with her husband, their children and their amusing, yet sweet dogs, Kyrie and Carson.  In her free time she enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and playing piano...