Tom Whitten, DVM Glenwood City, Wisconsin Technical Field Support Vets Plus, Inc.
Please describe your agricultural background.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with an undergraduate degree in physiology. In 1983, I graduated from theU of M College of Veterinary Medicine.
I became interested in the dairy industry while I was in vet school. I worked in the mastitis lab for two years under the direction of Dr. Ralph Farnsworth, a renowned leader in mastitis research.
After graduation, I began working for a local veterinarian in Glenwood City, Wisconsin, and worked there from 1983 until 2010. In 2010, I was hired by a local feed mill as a nutritional consultant.
What territory will you cover?
National
What are your new responsibilities?
My responsibilities with Vets Plus, Inc. (VPI), are three-fold: First, to support the sales staff and answer any technical questions they have. I also will call on key accounts and work with them on new product development. Finally, I will work with Dr. Vijay Sasi to conduct field trials on new and existing products.
As needed, I am also on-staff to write reports on the trials, as well as articles that may be submitted to publications.
What excites you most about working in your new role?
I get to work with a lot of people who have varied backgrounds -- many of them with advanced degrees in fields such as microbiology, chemistry, dairy science and pharmacognosy.
I think VPI is going to be positioned as a world leader in the animal health industry because of the extensive background and expertise of the staff in how to maintain healthy animals while maximizing production and performance.
How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I am able to explain how our products benefit producers, animals and the producer’s profitability.
Why did you choose this company?
I did business with VPI when I was in practice and I know they have excellent quality products; they are involved in cutting-edge research. And, because VPI was a local company near where I was practicing, I was very familiar with them.
I am excited to be able to take my background as a veterinarian and represent our line and capabilities to customers. I’ve been on their side before and hope that experience will help me better relate to them and help grow their own farms and facilities.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I would like to help develop new products for the dairy industry and would like to also maximize the potential for the existing products we have. PD
