This article was originally printed in the July/August 2026 issue of the California Veterinarian magazine.

I am one lucky President. Why, you say? Well, the CVMA Board of Governors has decided to change the Board year term from a business year (July 1 to June 30) to a simple calendar year (January 1 to December 31). We have made that change for several reasons.

First, this aligns with the legislative year. State Senate and Assembly Bills are filed in February, run through committees over the next several months, finish off on each floor in the summer, and then end up on the governor’s desk by October. So, for bills we support, the Board can see those bills through their whole journey. For the legislation that we hope to stop, the same team stays locked in to fight them.

Second, the calendar year aligns more closely with our new fiscal year, which will help maintain consistency with our CE offerings and conferences.

Finally, the Board can now get right to action within a few weeks of swearing-in, as our first big meeting of the year—the Leadership Forum—happens annually in late January or early February. Formerly, we had to sit idle for several months after swearing in at the Pacific Veterinary Conference, which is typically hosted in June, and wait for our first Board meeting at the Fall Seminar in October.

As a result of this transition, I’m lucky to spend another six months as CVMA President this year and continue to carry out the tasks and events that we have initiated.

One of my primary missions as President has been to support and advance rural veterinary practice and strengthen the connection between the CVMA and local VMAs. I’m proud to have led our “Northern California Roadshows,” where CVMA leadership traveled to our northernmost local veterinary medical associations, providing targeted support for rural practitioners’ goals, and reigniting local organized veterinary medicine efforts. In doing so, we have been able to reintroduce the Northern California Veterinary Medical Association to full constituent standing with representation in the CVMA’s House of Delegates.

I have been fortunate to visit several other active local veterinary medical associations as well, and I hope to visit a few more during these extra six months. The CVMA is committed to supporting strong local associations. So, for any of you in local leadership, please reach out if there is anything the CVMA can do to make your local association thrive in the way you envision.

And that’s not all. I get one more chance to preside over some of the most unique continuing education opportunities the world has to offer. Over my term, the CVMA has visited Monterey, San Diego, Long Beach, and, most recently, Yosemite for the Spring Seminar.

For those who can make plans a year from now, Yosemite should not be missed. Even with a surprise snowfall, the Yosemite Valley was beautiful. The Tenaya Lodge and its amenities are first-rate for veterinarians attending solo or accompanied by friends or family.

I was also excited that the CVMA moved PacVet 2026 to Sacramento just last month. Thank you to everyone who joined us in California’s Capital City, where we spread our wings out further at the newly remodeled convention center, explored the neighborhoods abutting the Capitol building, or ventured further afield into wine country and the Sierra Nevada mountains and foothills.

Finally, I will end my presidential year at our Fall Seminar, which will take place for the first time at the luxurious Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard. Join me for one last hurrah and perhaps a toast on the beach!

But, as mentioned above, the CVMA Presidency isn’t always just about fun and travel. We have the legislative year to handle.

The good news is that, through the hard work of our Legislative Affairs Team, we have put several bills that are antithetical to California veterinarians to bed for this year, and perhaps permanently. Therefore, our legislative team can now focus on supporting bills that will improve the lives of veterinarians and the animals we support.

Please watch our newsletters to see how you can assist us and help educate your representatives on these bills. I, for one, had a lovely morning with some of our state’s newest representatives during a “getting to know you” coffee round table in February, and I recommend that you visit your local representative’s office and say “hi.” Legislative teams tend to love veterinarians, and the relationships you build provide long-term strength for our organization.

Hard work brought us the start of a great legislative year, and I’m lucky enough to have participated in small ways. Mostly, I look forward to promoting the positive bills for the rest of the year in Sacramento. I will see many of you at our upcoming CE events, and I hope to finish the CVMA year strong and with an association that is poised to support you and your team for the future—and beyond!