HOUSE OF DELEGATES

The AVMA House of Delegates elected Dr. Larry R. Corry of Buford, Ga., as the Association's 2008-2009 president-elect July 19 at the HOD session in New Orleans. Delegates also chose Dr. Gary S. Brown of Princeton, W.Va., to be AVMA vice president. Both candidates ran unopposed and were elected by unanimous consent.

Dr. Corry has represented District IV (Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico) on the Executive Board since 2002, serving the final year of his term as board chair. The Georgia VMA nominated him to the office of president-elect with support from the California and Kansas VMAs.

Dr. Corry's career spans years in public service and private practice. After receiving his DVM degree in 1966 from the University of Georgia, Dr. Corry served two years in the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corps. Later, he entered private practice, and currently, he owns two small animal practices.

In addition to his service to the AVMA, Dr. Corry has been engaged in organized veterinary medicine at the state level, including a term as president of the Georgia VMA in 1981.

When Dr. Corry announced his candidacy for president-elect last year in Washington, D.C., he spoke in favor of programs to introduce students to veterinary medicine as early as the fourth grade. He also stressed the importance of the AVMA's engagement in the political process at the federal and state levels.

After his election, Dr. Corry thanked his family and delegates for their support. "I don't have an agenda this year except to represent (AVMA president) Dr. Cook and carry out the AVMA's strategic plans and goals," he said.

Dr. Larry R. Corry

Dr. Gary S. Brown

Dr. Brown is a 1984 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and was president of the West Virginia VMA from 2004-2006. The owner of a small animal practice, Dr. Brown also was his state's representative in the HOD.

The West Virginia VMA nominated Dr. Brown to the vice presidency, and the Kentucky VMA and the Student AVMA seconded the nomination. The AVMA vice president is a voting member of the Executive Board and the Association's liaison to the Student AVMA and student chapters.

Dr. Brown wants to educate veterinary students about the value of being an AVMA member while also emphasizing how students can shape the future of the Association.

Dr. Brown acknowledged those who had helped him in his bid for the vice presidency, especially his wife, Mitzi. "I have been given an amazing opportunity and a noble responsibility," Dr. Brown said.