Julie Legred, CVT, has been named executive director of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), a role she filled on an interim basis for the past year. The technicians group and NAVC in November announced a partnership that brought NAVTA under the larger organization’s oversight. The arrangement allowed NAVTA, a volunteer-run group, to maintain its independence while relying on NAVC to handle many of the day-to-day responsibilities. "With NAVC and NAVTA working together, it opens up tremendous opportunities to provide unique, leading-edge educational formats, as well as bringing the veterinary technician profession together to foster change and progression with the best use of people and resources,” Legred said. "Now I can truly concentrate on not only the day-to-day activities but also moving forward on strategies and opportunities specifically for the veterinary technician profession, working to bring great ideas from our NAVTA board, NAVTA members and veterinary technicians closer to becoming a reality,” she added. Legred is a two-time president of NAVTA and the owner of Veterinary Technician Advancements, a consulting company. She agreed to transfer current clients to her business partners, NAVC reported Tuesday. "Julie brings with her a wealth of experience in the veterinary technician arena, from working in the trenches to teaching,” said Tom Bohn, CEO of the Gainesville, Fla.-based NAVC. "Julie is well-known in the veterinary community as a strong advocate for veterinary technicians and as a speaker and moderator at NAVC conferences.” As NAVTA’s executive director, Legred is responsible for the group’s strategic direction, membership recruitment, publications and website, NAVC stated. She also represents NAVTA and NAVC veterinary technician programs through conferences, social media and press interviews. NAVC organizes one of the veterinary industry’s largest conferences. The 2014 show begins Jan. 18 in Orlando, Fla.
