Maj Angarano, DVM, PhD

Dr. Maj Angarano received her DVM degree from Texas A&M in 1992, and a PhD in 2007, after which she joined Hill's Pet Nutrition as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian in 2008.  In her current position, she educates veterinary and technician students, as well as health care teams in practice on advances in small animal dietary technology using a variety of platforms including national webinars.  Dr. Angarano actively assists with internal training and is often invited to speak at local and regional veterinary educational events.  During her career she has enjoyed a decade of practicing small animal medicine, instructing in several veterinary technician programs, and publishing her PhD research in peer reviewed journals.

Darren Berger, DVM, DACVD

Dr. Darren Berger is a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist with extensive experience in clinical practice, research, and education.  Dr. Berger obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Iowa State University.  He worked as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Des Moines, Iowa, prior to completing a private practice dermatology residency in Phoenix, Arizona.  He is an accomplished speaker who has previously served as a consultant for multiple animal heath companies.  He is also an author and editor, having written many journal articles and his own textbook, and has served on the editorial boards of several veterinary journals.  He has special interests in clinical pharmacology and the management of allergic skin diseases.  Prior to joining Elanco Animal Health, he was a tenured professor at Iowa State University, who had also taught at the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State.  Dr. Berger resides in Iowa with his family, but you will often find him sharing his passion for Dermatology through speaking events around the country and internationally.

Dawn M. Boothe, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP

Dr. Dawn M. Boothe graduated from Texas A&M University (TAMU) with a Bachelor of Science and DVM, later completing an MS in physiology, a residency in small animal internal medicine (becoming board certified in 1985), a PhRMA Fellowship, and a PhD in veterinary clinical pharmacology.  She is among the first class of diplomates in the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology.

In 1990, she joined TAMU, reaching professor in 2003.  She then joined Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine.  After retiring from Auburn in 2022 as an alumni professor emeritus, she joined the Veterinary Information Network, where she serves as an editor, consultant, and general provisioner of clinical pharmacology support.

Marc Bordelon, DVM, MBA

Dr. Marc Bordelon serves as Director of Veterinary Technical Services at Hilltop Bio, where he provides strategic leadership and clinical oversight for the company's research and product development initiatives.  He leads a network of key opinion leaders supporting study design for the FDA approval process, clinical data analysis, and real-world validation of Hilltop Bio's technologies, while also contributing to technical publications and scientific communications that support commercial strategy.

Dr. Bordelon brings more than 17 years of clinical and operational experience in veterinary medicine.  He owned and led multiple veterinary hospitals in Louisiana, including a 24/7 emergency hospital recognized as the 2023 AAHA Practice of the Year and a multispecialty referral center.  His leadership experience spans medical operations, team development, education and professional speaking for both students and veterinary professionals.  

With a focused interest in regenerative medicine, internal medicine, and ultrasonography, Dr. Bordelon has successfully integrated many innovative business practices and medical therapies into his hospitals in pursuit of continuous self and staff improvement.  He maintains active involvement in leading professional organizations and continues clinical practice to remain closely aligned with evolving standards of veterinary care.

Patricia Burbano, DVM

Dr. Patricia Burbano is a 2006 graduate of Texas A&M University whose veterinary career spans mixed-animal practice, corporate leadership, emergency medicine as a traveling ER doctor, and industry.  Throughout her career, she has provided relief veterinary services in her local communities.  She is known for her adaptability and her ability to quickly integrate with and support new teams.  She is proud to work for Merck Animal Health and enjoys supporting veterinary teams with new tools and education.  Her hobbies include traveling with her husband and spending time with their two dogs, Dagny and Rocky.

Wayne Crouch, DVM

Dr. Wayne Crouch earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2000 from Texas A&M University and he serves as the Regional Manager for the Pleasanton Region with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).  Prior to joining TAHC, Dr. Crouch spent 25 years in private practice as an equine veterinarian, developing extensive experience in animal health and management.  A South Texas native, Dr. Crouch maintains strong ties to the region's agricultural community and operates a family ranch southwest of Charlotte, TX.

Trent Hightower, JD

Trent Hightower is the General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for TVMA, a role he has held since October of 2021. In that capacity, he advocates for the profession before the Texas legislature and regulatory agencies, and provides legal resources to members of the association on a wide range of topics. Prior to joining TVMA, Trent held a similar role with the Texas Rural Water Association and served as Staff Attorney to a Travis County District Court Judge. He is a 2004 graduate of Texas A&M and a 2007 graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law.

Todd Tams, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM)

Dr. Todd Tams received his DVM from The Ohio State University in 1977.  After working in mixed animal practice in Vermont and then completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the West Lost Angeles Veterinary Medical Group, he completed a residency in internal medicine at Colorado State University.  Dr. Tams was a staff internist at the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston and clinical assistant professor at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine from 1981 to 1984, and achieved board certification in internal medicine in 1982.

Dr. Tams returned to Los Angeles in 1984 to rejoin the West Lost Angeles Veterinary Medical Group as a staff internist and gastroenterologist.  In January 1987, West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group became the first VCA hospital.  For more than 30 years, he served as Chief Medical Officer for VCA and as a part-time internist on staff at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.  In 2020, Dr. Tams transitioned to his new role as the CMO for External Affairs at Mars Veterinary Health.  Dr. Tams retired from Mars in 2025 and is currently active as a consultant and CE speaker.

Dr. Tams was named a Distinguished Alumnus of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000.

Dr. Tams has published two textbooks:  Small Animal Endoscopy (3 editions) and Handbook of Small Animal Gastroenterology (2 editions).

Dr. Tams has presented numerous seminars and wet lab courses in the U.S. and abroad on his areas of special interest in gastroenterology and GI endoscopy.

Mike Tacker

Michael Tacker serves as the Director of Enforcement and Chief Investigator for the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.  Michael joined the Board in 2018 after a thirty-year law enforcement career.  Michael was promoted to Chief Investigator in 2018 and then to Director of Enforcement in 2022.  In his roles, Michael performs advanced investigative and managerial work, providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for the Enforcement Program.  Michael assists in the coordination of activities of staff engaged in the investigations of violations of the Texas Veterinary Act, Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiner's Rules, Texas Health and Safety Code, and the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Ronald D. Tyler, Jr., DVM, MS

Dr. Tyler serves the state of Texas as the Region 11 Zoonosis Control veterinarian and has over 15 years' experience in diagnostic pathology and public health.  Dr. Tyler's general interests include application of new technologies to veterinary medical sciences, diagnostic pathology and studying disease trends.