2024 Board of Directors Election

Brian Darrow is a mixed animal practitioner from Anamosa, Iowa. He established the Anamosa Veterinary Clinic in 1984, and it has now grown to a 10-doctor practice. 

Brian has served as an Anamosa City Council member, an Anamosa School Board member, and numerous economic developmental roles. In 2012, he started the Sharon Live on Foundation, which has the mission to eradicate rabies in Kenya, and continues to serve as the foundation President. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Citizens Savings Bank in Anamosa, and is an affiliated faculty member of Iowa State University. 

His memberships include AVMA, IVMA, AABP, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and American Embyro Transfer Association. He has received the Rotary International Award, the Iowa Veterinary Associations Presidents Award, the Iowa State Alumni Merit Award, and has been inducted into the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Business Hall of Fame. 

Brian has considered it a privilege to serve on the Viticus Group Board of Directors for the past five years. He credits the WVC conference and skills he has acquired at the Oquendo Center for where his practice is today. It would be an honor for your consideration as he runs for Vice President of the Board of Directors, and he is truly excited to see this organization continue to grow and support our industry. 

Dr. Thomas N. Tully, Jr. is a Professor of Zoological Medicine in the Veterinary Clinical Sciences Department at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU – SVM) where he also serves as Service Chief of the Zoological Medicine Service.

During his career, he has been employed both as an associate and relief veterinarian. Over the last 30 years, he has been active in organized veterinary medicine serving on many committees as well as being elected President of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, European College of Zoological Medicine, and Southwest Veterinary Symposium.  

Dr. Tully co-edited/co-authored seven veterinary medical books, co-authored A Veterinary Technician’s Guide to Exotic Animal Care as well as authoring and co–authoring numerous chapters in other veterinary medical texts. He was Co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine from 2005 – 2018. Dr. Tully now serves as Scientific Editor for the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Adam Miller is a highly respected small business owner, veterinarian, and entrepreneur based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A Purdue University graduate with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a Bachelor's in Business Management, Dr. Miller has a unique perspective on how to proactively improve the Veterinary Industry. His professional journey includes being the founder and president of Distinct Veterinary Management, LLC, overseeing daily operations of veterinary hospitals in Houston, Texas and Cincinnati, Ohio.

A proud father of three, and the leader of two diverse veterinary teams, Dr. Miller has created a family-oriented culture that rewards both personal and professional growth. Dr. Miller's experience has given him valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in the industry. As an advocate for the future of the veterinary industry, he is a member of the Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs, where he provides direction, connection, and support to early-stage animal health businesses. He strongly believes that a proactive approach is necessary for the industry to succeed, and has developed many innovative ideas to facilitate this transformation. Furthermore, his membership in Veterinary Management Group (VMG) underscores his dedication to the future of veterinary ownership.

Dr. Miller is honored to be considered for the Board of Viticus Group, and he is excited about the opportunity to work alongside other committed professionals towards the betterment of the industry. With his educational background, experience, and passion, he is confident that he can make a meaningful contribution to the success of the Western Veterinary Conference. Dr. Miller humbly asks for your vote and support.

My name is James O’Dea and I would be honored to have your vote this year as a Director on the Viticus Board. I currently reside in Las Vegas and practice veterinary emergency and critical care medicine at Animal Emergency Center of Las Vegas. I have attended WVC yearly since 2002 and feel that it is one of the most valuable continuing education conferences for veterinarian professionals. I am well acquainted with Viticus Group’s educational offerings and mission. I have a strong background in veterinary medicine.  I came from a large family of veterinarians (great uncle, father, brother, sister, cousin), all of whom graduated from WSU.  I have been a successful small business owner for 7 years.  I have worked in emergency and critical care medicine for the past 20 years. I am currently the vice-president for the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and have served as a board member for the past 5 years. I am also serving as a board member for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for Viticus group.  I have aided Oquendo Center and The Animal Foundation (TAF) for various veterinary related tasks over the years. My practice is contracted with TAF, Homeland Security, LVMPD, and NSPCA to help animals in need after hours   I have a strong working relationship with a large number of veterinarians in the area due to my long tenure at AEC.

In conclusion, I feel my practice and business experiences along with serving on other professional boards make me an ideal candidate for this position. Please vote for James O’Dea for Director on the Viticus Board in 2024.

Matt Peuser, DVM, MBA, CVPP, CVA, graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.  His first job out of school was in a rural mixed animal practice.  He then went on to practice in an AAHA award-winning small animal practice for the next 10 years.  During this time he became passionate about pain management, receiving his Certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture in 2012 followed by his Certification as a Veterinary Pain Practitioner in 2013.

In 2018, he left practice to join Pet Partners as Director of Medical Operations.  In this role he oversaw the doctors and medical operations of 93 hospitals.  This was followed by a three year stint as Director of Medical Operations for Encore Vet Group, helping grow the business from 15 hospitals when he joined to 63 at the time of his departure.  

In June of 2022, he fulfilled his professional goal of owning his own practice.  Advanced Veterinary Care of Olathe is a progressive four doctor general practice.  His veterinary interests are surgery, dentistry, and pain management.  He is also passionate about developing people as leaders.

Matt is married with three boys and a wonderful wife.  They are huge sports fans, especially anything related to K-State or Kansas City.  He enjoys playing poker and golf and working around the house.

“My goal of joining the Viticus Board is to have a greater impact on our profession than I can by myself.  Giving back to the profession and the incredible individuals within it is extremely fulfilling and something I love to do.”

Racquel Bueno is a Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgeon and Surgical Endoscopist providing superior patient care for over 20 years. After medical school and residency training at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, a wide breadth of experiences and opportunities shaped her: as a general surgeon in a small midwestern community, as a bariatric surgeon in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii; as Medical Director at The Endoscopy Institute of Hawaii, an ambulatory surgical center that she co-founded; and most importantly, as a passionate Surgical Educator. It’s through surgical education that she hopes to guide the next generation of surgeons towards opportunities and resources to enrich their careers. Her current work on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative project with the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, aims to explore potential processes to optimize training environments and cultures.

She is thrilled by this opportunity to work with the Viticus Group - the leader in continuing education for nearly a century, providing surgeons with a means to master their craft.