Meet the Speakers
Shawn Baier holds his MS degree from Iowa State University and a MBA from the University of Iowa. In 1997, he was hired by MTI Biotech as a Research Scientist. In 2007, Mr. Baier moved to the role of Director of Sales and Marketing, and in 2008, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In 2019, as part of a change in ownership interests with TSI Group, Mr. Baier became VP of Business Development for their Innovative Products Division. His responsibilities include new business development, research and development management, as well as identifying and acquiring new technologies for commercialization.
Mike Bober joined the Pet Advocacy Network as the Vice President of Government Affairs in 2013 and was named President and CEO in 2016. To spread the word about the power of pets and the benefits of the human-animal bond, Mike and the team at PAN have established or expanded several popular events on Capitol Hill including an annual legislative fly-in for the pet care community, Pet Night, and therapy animal interactions with Pet Partners. In the early days of COVID-19 response, Mike led PAN’s nationwide effort to ensure that pet retailers and service providers were included as “essential” businesses nationwide and permitted to remain open as closures went into effect across the country. Mike is a former Jeopardy! champion and a Certified Barbecue Judge. He and his family welcomed Scruffles, a cocker spaniel, as one of the earliest pandemic pups in 2020.
Bill Bookout is president, board chair, and a founding member of the National Animal Supplement Council. He has been an advocate for the animal supplement industry for nearly 25 years and is recognized as a leading expert on regulatory issues surrounding these types of products. Bill earned his BSc in physical sciences from the University of Wyoming and his MBA from the Pepperdine University Presidents and Key Executives program. He and his wife, Mary, divide their time between Arizona and Alaska, where they live with their two rescue cats, Marmalade and Yanaha.
Katie Brenner is NASC Senior Compliance Officer. In this role, Katie conducts new member onboarding training and monitors ongoing compliance, provides support to members in labeling, NAERS, and quality programs, conducts NASC Quality audits, and works closely with the rest of the NASC compliance team in developing and improving NASC’s member resources. Katie formerly held positions with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture as a feed regulator and PetIQ as Director of Regulatory Affairs. She earned her BS in Wildlife Management from the University of New Hampshire, and her MSc in Seafood Science and Nutrition from the University of Alaska. In her off-time, she can be found exploring the Boise Foothills or trying to outsmart her Border Collie mix, Chica.
Dr. Luis A. Camacho III earned his PhD in physical organic chemistry from Iowa State University, specializing in the design of thioamide protecting groups for use during peptide synthesis. His research used UPLC and HPLC to study the kinetics of peptide epimerization and racemization. Now a method development scientist at Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center, he works on beverage alcohol analysis, sensory instrumentation, and chondroitin sulfate analysis in complicated pet foods and treats. His work has been a big help to the field for chondroitin sulfate analysis along with other macromolecules. He continues to refine the art of analysis using unique molecular interactions and markers to his advantage. 
Ryan Cargo is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Animal Supplement Council, where he has played a key role since becoming the organization’s first paid employee in 2004. He led the development of the NASC Adverse Event Reporting System, shaping it into a robust tool that helps manage and monitor risk for animal products and ingredients. Ryan also oversees the NASC Audit Program and is actively involved with FDA, AAFCO, and the states to ensure the voice of NASC is heard and its interests well represented to all stakeholders. His expertise spans regulatory guidance, quality control, and risk management. Passionate about helping homeless pets, Ryan regularly gives time and financial support to animal rescue organizations. 
Jon Copeland is Research Manager at MarketPlace, leading an insights team specializing in consumer research for business and brand strategy. Focused on the pet and human nutrition categories, his work has generated insights into consumers’ motivations and behaviors. Having fielded numerous studies on behalf of pet brands, Jon is plugged into the needs of today’s pet parent. For the past several years, Jon has built a body of pet category research based on an annual survey of pet parents. Additionally, Jon has conducted primary research in the human nutrition space, where trends often precede those in the pet market.
Lauren DeVestern is a Managing Director in L.E.K. Consulting’s Consumer Practice. As the Head of L.E.K.’s Pet & Animal Practice in North America, she is a thought leader on all things pet/animal, has published numerous articles in the sector, and frequently participates in industry events. Lauren is also a leader in L.E.K.'s Beauty & Personal Care practice. She has extensive experience helping brands, retailers, and service providers, and has worked on many of the top beauty and personal care deals over the past decade. She advises clients on issues ranging from growth and channel/go-to-market strategy to brand positioning, and M&A support including due diligence and portfolio value enhancement (among others). Lauren joined L.E.K. in 2010. The recipient of Consulting Magazine’s 2020 Rising Stars Award, she received a BA in economics from Barnard College.
Rob Downey is the founder of Annamaet Petfoods, a pet nutrition expert, and a champion dog sled racer. With nearly 40 years in Alaskan sled dog racing, Downey’s deep connection to dogs has shaped both his career and life. His memoir, Until the Last Dog, shares his journey, including overcoming hardships, founding Annamaet, and a life-threatening moose encounter that reinforced his bond with his dogs. Through resilience and passion, Downey has dedicated his life to advancing pet nutrition and honoring the human-animal connection. His story continues to inspire those who share his commitment to animal health and well-being.
Dr. Bart Dunsford earned his B.S. in Animal Science from Kansas State University, his M.S. in Nutrition, and his Ph.D. in Veterinary Anatomy from Texas A&M University. His graduate work focused on the effect of nutrients in the development of the gastrointestinal tract. He was an assistant professor at Virginia Tech and has spent over 25 years in industry positions, with his main focus on GI health. He has over 50 publications and over 30 invited presentations. He has worked for ADM, Farmland Industries, AFB, Dad’s Pet Care, GTC Nutrition, Penford, Lallemand, and currently Petfood Product Manager for plus4pet, a business unit of Vetagro.
Erik Fuglseth is a skilled entrepreneur with a formal background from the field of organic chemistry. He received his MSc and PhD from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and since gained experience from omega-3 research and technology transfer. In 2014 he took part in founding ORIVO AS, a provider of unique authenticity verification services in the food, feed and dietary supplement industry. Erik is today in charge of technology development in new business areas for ORIVO.
Jennifer Gornnert is NASC Compliance Officer and AAFCO Liaison, having joined the team in 2023. With over 20 years working in the agricultural industry, her career path has allowed her to have an array of experiences and lessons learned. From Agriculture Science teacher to Department of Agriculture Director, to her current role as part the Compliance Team with NASC, Jennifer says she has consistently welcomed opportunities that challenge her while allowing her to serve the greater good. As someone who has a big heart for animals, being able to work closely with NASC members to support their efforts in developing quality supplements for dogs, cats and horses has allowed her to play a small role in supporting the animal supplement industry, and most importantly, the animals themselves.
Dr. Lydia Gray is a lifelong horse owner with a DVM, and an MA in Communication. She has been in private practice, at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Director of Owner Education for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and Executive Director of the Hooved Animal Humane Society. Throughout her 16-year career with SmartPak, Lydia provided horse health and nutrition education through a variety of channels, directed supplement research, led new product development, served as regulatory compliance officer, and was responsible for veterinary marketing. She now offers many of the same services out of her company Lydia Gray Consulting. Her newest business venture is becoming the owner, editor, and publisher of the only independent carriage driving magazine in North America, Driving Digest. Lydia competes in dressage and combined driving, also serving as a judge in both disciplines. She looks forward to an exciting season with her eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding "Stan Lee” and the mini pair “Pippen” and Bilbo.” 
Allen Gritton is Sales Director for Pharmore Ingredients, Inc., the very first company to join the NASC Preferred Supplier program. He was elected to the NASC Board of Directors in 2020 and re-elected in 2023. Over the years, Allen has helped countless NASC members overcome obstacles in sourcing quality raw ingredients and identifying and avoiding unscrupulous suppliers. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and insight from the perspective of the ingredient, import, testing and regulatory side of the business, which is imperative to NASC members’ ability to continue producing quality products today, and staying ahead of the curve as new challenges and opportunities present themselves in the future. Allen lives with his family in Utah and is a life-long pet owner, animal lover and outdoor enthusiast.
Terri Grow is a trailblazer in feline health and wellness, leveraging her unique blend of experience, knowledge, and advocacy. After a decade in corporate marketing and advertising, Terri founded PetSage®, a pioneering holistic pet resource center in Northern Virginia that for 20 years successfully integrated holistic healthcare, pet owner education, advocacy, and responsible product commerce. In 2020, she transitioned to consulting, speaking, and partnering with global pet health companies — championing optimal dietary, health and welfare practices for cats. As a certified expert in Traditional Chinese Herbology and Natural Animal Nutrition, Terri is also a respected lecturer on feline nutrition at the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. 
Todd Harrison is co-chair of Venable's FDA Group, and in this role guides clients through the myriad government regulations associated with food and drug labeling and marketing. Working extensively in the areas of food and dietary supplement safety, labeling, and advertising claims, Todd helps clients in the consumer products, drug and medical device, and dietary products industries comply with government regulations. He regularly achieves favorable results in defending clients against Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advertising complaints, enforcement actions, and prosecutions, and overcoming competitor challenges in courts and other forums.
Dr. Erik Hedrick received his Ph.D. in Toxicology from Texas A&M University and has fourteen years of experience in toxicology. He has published over 20 publications and has presented at over 20 scientific conferences including annual SOT meetings. Erik's has extensive experience ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance for human and animal ingredients before they come out onto the market within the United States and the European Union. This includes working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within the United States as well as with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) within the European Union (EU).
Nicole Hill is the Executive Director of Strategy at MarketPlace, a leading strategy firm that specializes in strategy, research, branding, and marketing for pet and human nutrition companies. In more than 12 years at MarketPlace, Nicole has worked with global B2B companies and national consumer brands in the pet and human nutrition categories to inspire innovation, launch new products, and develop and market major brands. Nicole also leads MarketPlace’s ready-to-use research storefront: NextinResearch.com. Nextin provides turnkey access to MarketPlace’s highly valued consumer research and insights. Rooted in consumer trends, Nextin helps pet professionals anticipate what’s next in the category.
Will Ji is President of OptiMized Ingredients at TSI Group, bringing over 16 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, with a strong focus on raw material innovation and optimization. Under his leadership, the team has consistently pushed industry boundaries through a deep commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer-centric performance. By working closely with partners to address industry challenges, Will has driven the development of solutions that redefine what’s possible in ingredient performance and application. He believes it’s not the customer’s job to make an ingredient work — it’s our job to deliver ingredients that work exactly the way customers need.
Scott Karolchyk MS, RPh, FAPC, is a pharmaceutical scientist with experience in product development, as well as pharmaceutical formulation design, neuropharmacology, ophthalmic formulations, oral dosage forms, surface phenomena, and compounded preparation research. Scott has three US Patents on TriMoxi ophthalmic injection and its combination ophthalmic topicals, and was granted over 40 additional drug formulation and methodology related patents. 
Shannon Landry is the Brand Manager for Packaged Facts Pet, a leading authority on the U.S. pet industry and a division of the Freedonia Group. She has been researching the pet market for over a decade, covering a range of topics including pet food and treats and non-food supplies, with a focus on the US market. She is a regular contributor to PETS International magazine and VetWatch, presented at the Pet Food Association of Canada’s 2023 conference, served as a panelist at Petfood Forum 2024, and is scheduled to present at GlobalPETS forum in 2025.
Nicole Lin is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in online and offline retail buying and the China cross-border e-commerce market. She is currently leading the business development for various categories, including pet products, on Tmall Global, China’s top cross-border e-commerce platform under the Alibaba Group.
Jennifer Lott is passionate about helping companies grow and succeed. Jennifer specializes in Food and Product Safety Management Systems; her expertise in all aspects of certification, including training and project management. Jennifer is committed to excellence and has a positive can-do attitude. She is always looking for opportunities to develop solutions to meet clients' needs. Jennifer enjoys hiking, volunteering, creating new recipes from leftovers, and spending time with her family outside of work.
Dr. Pedro Machado holds a DVM, a master’s in Pathology, a bachelor’s in Economic Science, and a PhD in Applied Economics. With over eight years as a principal investigator in animal health and nutrition research, Dr. Machado specializes in experimentation and data generation for product development and market launch. He has also led product development for top Contract Manufacturing organizations. This interdisciplinary expertise allows a unique perspective on both scientific and market challenges in creating effective health supplements. Dr. Machado is currently the VP of R&D at VetsPlus Inc., where he provides evidence-based insights for targeted animal health solutions.
Rene Marcel Martinez is the Vice President Business Development of CompletePet.
CompletePet is a premiere contract manufacturer of pet wellness solutions including soft chews, liquid toppers, powders, and topical dermatological and grooming solutions. The company operates brand-new cGMP manufacturing facilities in both Miami, Florida and Burlington, Vermont.
Rene Martinez has spent his entire life at Complete Pet (formerly Custom Veterinary Services). Working warehouse and manufacturing roles part time in high school and college then administrative roles such as accounting and human resources after graduating with his bachelor's degree in accounting and his Master's in Business Administration. He has spent the last 7 years in Business and Product Development, spearing an industry leading team for innovation and operational excellence. 

 

 
Seth McGinn is the visionary founder of Mid-West Nutrition, Inc., a premier supplier of nutraceuticals, vitamins, amino acids, herbs, and herbal extracts. With a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science, and a minor in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Seth brings a strong academic foundation to the industry. With over 25 years of extensive experience, Mid-West Nutrition proudly stands as one of the earliest suppliers to partner with the NASC, affirming its commitment to quality and innovation in animal nutrition!
Shawn Pate leads the Pet Supplies team at TikTok Shop, joining in June 2024 to build a pet-focused team. His team spans category management, creator growth, and business development. A rough collie lover from childhood, he brings a passion for pets to work. Prior to this, Shawn worked at Amazon where he launched international 1P businesses in 9 countries. His deep ecommerce experience spans diverse channels and environments.
Courtlandt Pennell is Vice President of Sales - Specialty and Animal with KND Labs and has helped lead the growth of CBD within the pet space for many years. His passion for his work comes from a deep understanding of the ingredient itself, as well as a strong knowledge of the numerous benefits CBD can provide for animals. Courtlandt and his wife of 29 years, Anne, a speech pathologist, have three grown daughters and a young Brittany dog. The whole family shares Courtlandt’s passion for living an active lifestyle. Anne and Courtlandt recently moved back home to Vermont, where they garden, keep bees and chickens, and Courtlandt tinkers with endless carpentry projects.
Sara J. Phillips is the Vice President of Global Pet Business for FoodScience® LLC, where she currently leads two successful pet supplement brands: VetriScience® Laboratories and Pet Naturals®; a strong international business unit, and an exploding contract manufacturing business. Throughout Sara’s 15 years with FoodScience, she has held several management positions driving success for all pet brands, private label, and contract manufacturing business units under the FoodScience umbrella. This scope now includes leading the strategic and business operations of Pet Tech Labs, acquired by FoodScience in September 2021. Sara was elected to the NASC Board of Directors in 2022. She is a visionary leader known for investing in talent within her team and encouraging innovation. A deep love of pets as well as her commitment to health and wellness contributes to Sara’s natural drive in the space of pet supplements.
Shahin Rothermel is an experienced counselor and defender who helps advertisers, retailers, merchants, and marketers advance their business goals while reducing legal and regulatory risks. Shahin provides clients with up-to-date, practical insights into the constantly evolving advertising, marketing, and e-commerce regulations, which allows her clients to make informed decisions. She has achieved successful resolutions, dismissals, and full walkaways in court, saving clients millions of dollars. She takes a pragmatic approach as a counselor, considering the implications of her advice for her clients' marketing campaigns and their bottom lines.
Pete Scott is a seasoned association executive who has developed a reputation for leading transformational change, driving product innovation, and building strong cultures of empowerment and accountability that consistently exceed expectations. As CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Scott helps lead the association toward its mission of advancing the pet industry by elevating the global pet care community and promoting responsible pet ownership.
Dr. Ravi Sheth received his PhD as a NSF and Hertz fellow from Columbia University. His work on the microbiome and genomics has been the subject of numerous papers published in leading scientific journals including Science, Nature Biotechnology and more. He currently leads technical work at Kingdom Supercultures, a biotechnology startup developing new pro- and postbiotic functional ingredients. This work is supported by the NSF, USDA, and EPA through millions of dollars of SBIR awards. He previously worked at the Gates foundation developing new interventions to address malnutrition, including live biotherapeutics and fermented foods.
Austin Therrell is Executive Director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Prior to his current role, he served on the Board of Directors and as the Co-Chair of the AAFCO Feed & Feed Ingredient Manufacturing Committee, as a member of the AAFCO Pet Food Committee, and as a member of the Current Issues and Outreach Committee. Austin previously served as the Animal Feed Program Manager for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture where he oversaw animal food inspection priorities across the state, product registrations, labeling compliance, and a statewide sampling program. He graduated from Clemson University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Veterinary Science and a minor in business administration.
Worth Turner is the CEO of CompletePet, a premiere contract manufacturer of pet wellness solutions including soft chews, liquid toppers, powders, and topical dermatological and grooming solutions. The company operates brand-new cGMP manufacturing facilities in both Miami, Florida and Burlington, Vermont. Prior to CompletePet, Worth was CEO of a leading manufacturer of natural beauty products. He started his career in investment banking and then spent nine years at a lower middle market private equity fund. Worth lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and two young boys, aged 9 and 8. 
Andrea Uckele is an Account Executive for Uckele Health and Nutrition, a third-generation, family-owned business that manufactures vitamins and supplements for both humans and animals. With her nine years of experience in this role, Andrea Uckele brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sales industry. Prior to joining the family business, Andrea worked for the federal government, where she handled health care policy, gaining a deep understanding of the healthcare and wellness landscape. She studied political science and public relations at Eastern Michigan University. Outside of her professional life, she has a deep love for all dogs, particularly her Boston Terrier, Jack. She is passionate about fostering relationships, building trust with clients, and finding solutions that drive business success.
Charles Vesey, R.Ph., M.S., is Senior Formulation Technology Manager for Colorcon and is responsible for all technical aspects of the company’s Formulation Technology business in North America in support of solid oral dose design and development. With over 25 years of experience, Chuck is recognized as a thought leader in the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement and veterinary formulation dosage forms. Chuck received both his bachelor’s in pharmacy and his masters in Pharmaceutics from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He is a member of the American Pharmacists Association, a licensed pharmacist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and a United States Pharmacopeia Expert Committee Member.
Bryan Vincent is the President and CEO of Precision Science. Since 2006, Bryan has worked to transform Precision Science from a small manufacturer of one product into the global contract manufacturer of animal pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals it is today. Bryan’s career has focused on building businesses. Prior to Precision Science, he formed BVA, a company that pioneered cloud/managed service platforms. He believes that at its core, business is about creating value, not only for clients, but for team members and the greater community. He supports new thinking at Precision Science encouraging innovation to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
Ivan Wasserman is a leading attorney specializing in health, wellness, beauty, and consumer products. As Managing Partner of Amin Wasserman Gurnani, he helps companies navigate FDA, FTC, and CPSC regulations, ensuring compliance for food, supplements, cosmetics, OTC drugs, and medical devices. Known for his deep industry knowledge and humor, he has guided countless product launches and marketing campaigns. A sought-after speaker and recognized in Best Lawyers® and Chambers USA, Ivan also serves as counsel to the International Probiotics Association. In his free time, he educates his daughters on the legal quirks of food labeling—and moonlights as a “Probiotic Comic.”
Miriam Wood is an NASC Compliance Specialist, providing training, audits, and guidance to help members achieve compliant labels, marketing materials, and websites. She began her career in the commercial swine industry at Smithfield Foods before transitioning to regulatory work with the NC Department of Agriculture’s Animal Feed Program, where she led Compliance and Inspection. An active AAFCO participant, she chaired multiple committees and helped train inspectors. Miriam holds a B.S. in Animal Science from NC State University. A lifelong animal lover, Miriam lives in Southeastern North Carolina with her dog Bell, horse Sonny, and a few adopted farm cats.
Kelli Younker is an NASC Compliance Specialist, responsible for new member onboarding, label training, website reviews, NAERS monitoring, and day-to-day member support. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University, majoring in agriculture and extension education with a minor in equine science. With over a decade as a veterinary technician and five years as a feed specialist for the NM Department of Agriculture, Kelli brings extensive industry experience. A lifelong equestrian and competitor who could ride before she could walk, Kelli enjoys archery, hunting, and farm life with her many animals.
Matt Ziegler serves as Founder and Chief Scientist of HydroScience Custom Formulations (HSCF), with 15+ years’ experience in the supplement industry and the successful development of 1000+ science-based supplements. HSCF offers science-based, custom dietary and pet supplement formulation, product development, supply chain sourcing, regulatory compliance, and end-to-end lifecycle consulting. Matt has served as formulator, scientific advisor, manufacturing expert, quality consultant, and as Director of Product Development for multiple dietary supplement companies.