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Coming Soon: An electronic ballot will be sent to membership to affirm the board's decision in selecting Dr. Opengart as AAAP's next EVP. The EVP position is for 5 years and is renewable if the person holding the position would like to serve longer.  The Executive Vice President is reaffirmed by the membership each year. Please be on the lookout for this email in your inboxes within the next week.

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Biography:

Dr. Opengart's personal mission throughout his professional career has been to actively contribute to an agricultural system that provides safe and sustainable, high quality, affordable protein to millions of global consumers. As a veterinarian, this includes embracing the core tenets of the veterinary oath - protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health and the advancement of medical knowledge. Working within animal agriculture for over 25 years, Dr. Opengart has held a variety of leadership roles including Vice President, Live Operations/Processing and Commodity Risk Management; Vice President, Global Sustainability and Welfare; and Vice President, Animal Welfare and International Sustainability. Over the last half of his career, he has provided thought leadership and focus in the areas of animal welfare, antimicrobial stewardship, and sustainability in the food animal sector. Today, he owns 3 Birds Consulting which focuses on assisting those in the food animal sector to drive continuous improvement throughout their organization by mitigating risks and capturing opportunities in the critical areas of animal welfare, antimicrobial stewardship, and sustainability.

As someone who has been committed to improving poultry health and welfare through research, education, communication, and leadership, he has authored/co-authored or presented over 100 invited talks, scientific presentations or publications on poultry heath, welfare, and sustainability. Dr. Opengart has served as past-president of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, is a past-chair of the American Association of Avian Pathologists’ Animal Welfare Committee, a founding board member and past chair of the International Poultry Welfare Alliance, a founding board member of the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs, and a past-chair of the Poultry and Egg Welfare and Sustainability Foundation. In 2023, Dr. Opengart was recognized by the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine as its Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award recipient and in 2024 by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association as a Lamplighter Award recipient for sustained and exemplary service to the poultry industry and by McDonald’s Corporation as a Lifetime Award recipient.

Dr. Opengart received his B.S. from the University of Richmond, his master’s degree in Poultry Science from Virginia Tech, his DVM and Ph.D. degrees from the Virginia-Maryland Colle