Rick DeBowes, DVM, MS, DACVS

Inner Compass Leaders, LLC / Pullman, WA

RICHARD M. DEBOWES, DVM, MS, DACVS, is a Professor of Surgery and the Director of the Professional Life Skills program at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Working with Dr. Kathleen Ruby and others, Rick helped fund, develop, promote and host, the Cougar Orientation and Leadership Experience at WSU and the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Experience (VLE) program for the global veterinary profession.  Based on his experiences in veterinary practice and his awareness of the “people skills” needed to be a great health care team member, Rick currently oversees the practice management curriculum and continues to teach in the leadership and the clinical communication courses for which he was the founding co-director.

A 1979 veterinary graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. DeBowes previously served as Associate Dean for Veterinary Development and External Relations at WSU and Chairman for the Departments of Clinical Sciences at both Kansas State and Washington State University, Colleges of Veterinary Medicine.  He is a Diplomate and former Regent of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.  Twice elected president of the North American Veterinary Conference, Dr. DeBowes has served on numerous boards including nine years in the AVMA House of Delegates and as president of the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians.  Dr. DeBowes has received the Norden Teacher of the Year Award while at Kansas State University teaching in the core curriculum, the 2012 Banfield Award for Educational Advancement and the VSIPP Spirit of Excellence Award for his work in leadership.  He was recognized as the Erwin Small Distinguished Alumnus in 2009 by the University of Illinois and named Washington Veterinarian of the Year in 2014. In 2017, he received the AVMA President’s Award for his work in promoting leadership and culture education for the profession.   An accomplished speaker, mentor and coach, Rick has presented over 400 programs on leadership, teamwork, communication and organizational culture in 28 countries across 4 continents.

A father of two teenagers, Dr. DeBowes enjoys time with his wife Pamela at their children’s sporting events, working as a soccer referee and traveling internationally.  An avid sailor, he also enjoys time on the water, in the water as a scuba diver and in the air over the water as a multiengine private pilot.

Mike Panter, BS-Education & LUTCF Designation

Southern Financial Consultants / Blue Ridge, GA

Mike has consulted with veterinarians for over 25 years and has developed a systematic but totally innovative and holistic approach to counseling owners through the practice transition and succession planning process. He has helped many veterinarians over the years by approaching the process as a multi-year endeavor, which allows time for more pro-active associate buy-in programs, phantom stock options, owner earn-outs, mergers, good will transfers, partner buy/sell agreements, and other outside-the-box methods. This can dramatically increase pay-outs, potentially reduce tax liabilities, and assist with estate planning strategies.

Mike is the Founder, President, and CEO of SPCG affiliate company, Southern Financial Consultants, Inc. He opened the agency in Blue Ridge, Georgia in 1983. Mike has been in the insurance and financial services industry since 1983. He has qualified over 50 times for numerous national award conferences. He specializes in the areas of insurance, investments, retirement and estate planning strategies. Mike is a U.S. Army Veteran and recipient of the Army Commendation Medal. He is actively involved in the local community including the Chamber of Commerce, recreation department, and is a two-time past president of Kiwanis. He has coached youth sports for the past 30+ years including basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer, and golf. Mike is a Graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He has a LUTCF designation and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He is licensed in the areas of life & health insurance, variable life, and variable annuities. He holds his Series 6 and 63 securities licenses.

Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJ

Companion Animal Parasite Council /  Brentwood, TN

Dr. I. Craig Prior is the previous owner of VCA Murphy Road Animal Hospital, an eight doctor practice in Nashville, TN; and former owner/partner in three BluePearl emergency hospitals in Middle Tennessee.  A 35 year veteran, Dr. Prior’s professional interests include all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery, as well the operations and metrics of well managed practices.

Born and raised in Australia, Dr. Prior represented Australia at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee before graduating from the University of Queensland in Brisbane with a degree in veterinary medicine in 1984 and moving to the United States in 1985.

Dr. Prior is a board member and immediate past-president of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPCvet.org).

He shares his veterinary and business knowledge as a practice management consultant, practice sales consultant, VMG Facilitator and through speaking engagements throughout the country including NAVC & WVC, sitting on advisory boards and guest appearances with various national media outlets.

Janet Woods

Cubex LLC  / Phoenix, AZ

Jan Woods’ health care career has spanned over thirty years in both human and veterinary medicine.  Ms. Wood’s most recent positions in human healthcare were in senior management with national healthcare companies.  She was the Vice President of Operations and Development for Care Net Health Systems based in Nashville, TN and the Vice President of Operations and Development for Communicare and NBC Healthcare, based in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

In 2001, Ms. Woods moved into veterinary medicine as the Hospital Administrator for Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center of Kansas City, (VSEC).  From May of 2004 through March of 2016 she was the Co-owner, Hospital Administrator and Vice President of the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, (VSCT).  Jan is currently the Professional Services & Regulatory Affairs Manager for Cubex, LLC.  Jan speaks and consults with veterinarians nationally on a full-time basis.  Her areas of expertise encompass clinic and hospital practice management, operations, finance, human resources, employee engagement, marketing and compliance with state, federal and DEA regulations.

Jan served as a two time President of Veterinary Specialty Practice Alliance (VSPA).In 2012 Jan received the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Southern Arizona Business Woman Owner of the Year Award.  Ms. Woods was a finalist for the international Athena Award.  She was also selected in 2011 as one of the “Committee of 100 Women by the Girls Scouts of Southern Arizona Sahuaro”, nominated for The Tucson Women of Influence award in 2010 & 2011 and received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in Recognition of Outstanding & Invaluable Service to the Community in 2010.

Jan presented to the American Veterinary Medical Law Association (AVMLA) at the American Veterinary Medical Association conference in Oahu, Hawaii in 2006 on Controlled Substances 101: How & Why You Must Comply!  She will repeat an updated presentation on the same topic at the AVMA/AVMLA conference in Washington D.C.in August 2019.  In 2018 and 2019, Jan gave nine Continuing Education presentations to Veterinarians, Practice Managers and licensed Veterinary Technicians at the request of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. Her RACE approved presentation entitled “Controlled Substance 101: How & Why You Must Comply!” satisfies most state’s mandated opioid training requirement.  Throughout the United States in 2019-2020, she will be presenting Controlled Substances 101: How & Why You Must Comply! at various veterinary conferences and private meetings for both Zoetis and Cubex, LLC.