AVMA District I has elected a new Executive Board member. In February, Dr. Guy L. Pidgeon of New York was declared elected by members in his district. The New York State VMS nominated him for the position, and he was the sole candidate.

Dr. Pidgeon will represent AVMA members in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

His six-year term will begin July 28 when he is installed on the board at the AVMA Annual Convention in Philadelphia. Dr. Pidgeon succeeds Dr. Henry E. Childers of Cranston, R.I., who is running for president-elect (see page 814).

Dr. Pidgeon is chief of staff and CEO of The Animal Medical Center in New York, positions he has held since 1996 and 1997, respectively. He joined Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. in 1990 and was promoted to director of veterinary affairs in 1994.

A 1975 graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Pidgeon also has 12 years of teaching experience at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, from 1978-1990. Although his professional experience has been small animal focused, Dr. Pidgeon grew up on a farm and attempts to stay abreast of food animal issues.

"What prompted my interest in running for the board was that I believe it is important that the AVMA be cognizant of specialty issues," Dr. Pidgeon said. "Approximately 8 percent of the AVMA's membership is boarded, and it is important that specialists see the importance of AVMA involvement.

"Our profession is comparatively small but diverse. We must speak with a single voice on the national stage. Therefore, we cannot allow ourselves to splinter into narrow-interest groups."

Dr. Pidgeon is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and his service to the profession has been primarily in support of the ACVIM. He was chair of the board of regents from 2002-2003 and president of the Specialty of Internal Medicine from 1991-1994.

In 1998, he served as president of the VMA of New York City. He is a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, serves on the board of advisors for Puppies Behind Bars, and is active in the American Animal Hospital Association.

Dr. Pidgeon cites antimicrobial use issues, economic initiatives of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, and licensure of veterinarians educated abroad as other issues requiring careful attention.