December 12, 2012, Lenexa, Kan. - Ceva Animal Health today announced Dr. Karen Padgett will join the Companion Animal Group as Chief Operating Officer effective January 1, 2013. Padgett is a 28-year veteran of the animal health industry, most of which has been spent at Hill's Pet Nutrition, a division of Colgate-Palmolive.

"Dr. Padgett's breadth of industry experience and combination of leadership, integrity and inspired innovation are unique in the industry. We welcome her to our organization and know she will be a tremendous asset setting a vision and building on our commitment to the veterinary profession" said Craig Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of Ceva LLC.

Dr. Padgett's leadership with products and programming to help the practicing veterinarian has been extensive. She has also led by example, continually forming integrated teams of research, academic affairs, scientific affairs, marketing and technical services to innovate. 
During her most recent position as Hill's National Sales Director, Vet Channel, she launched a new go to market coverage plan and led the global team to launch a transformative new product. 

As Chief of the Veterinary Business Channel, North America, she chaired an internal Global Veterinary Leadership Council. Her prior positions included key accomplishments in veterinary product launches, technical services and marketing. Early in her career she created disease category focus programs to market products that are still used today.

Dr. Padgett has been recognized for her business leadership nationally. She is not only the three time recipient of the prestigious Colgate-Palmolive Chairman's You Make a Difference Award, but was selected as the Colgate sole participant from the entire single annual Colgate organization-wide representative to participate in the NY-based Women's Unlimited FEW program, a national program to develop women business leaders. Padgett is also the recipient of the YWCA New York's Salute to Women Leadership Award.

"Ceva is a global company that is rapidly growing but shows true commitment to the veterinary profession. I am thrilled to join the organization to lead a dynamic team and continue to contribute to the veterinary profession in a meaningful way. It's a tremendous opportunity," said Padgett. 
Before joining Hill's, Dr. Padgett gained practical veterinary experience as an associate veterinarian at Caudle Veterinary Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Padgett received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens Georgia and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia School of Agriculture.

About Ceva Animal Health: Ceva's key companion animal products include the Vectra® line of parasiticides, D.A.P.® and Feliway® pheromone behavior aids and Senilife® neuroprotection for aging pets. Ceva Biomune's key poultry products include CEVAC® Transmune IBD, Vectormune® FP and Vectormune® HVT.  Ceva Biomune Campus and the North America Zone headquarters are both located in Lenexa, Kansas. Visit www.ceva.us.

About Ceva Santé Animale: Ceva's parent company is a global veterinary health company focused on the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceutical products and vaccines for pets, livestock, swine and poultry. Its headquarters is in Libourne, France. Visit www.ceva.com.

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Contact:
Lea-Ann Germinder, APR Fellow PRSA
Germinder & Associates, Inc.
lgerminder@germinder.com
 917-334-8682 or 212-367-5480

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