Michael Gilsdorf,
DVM, MS, BS
Dr. Michael Gilsdorf served as the Director of the National Center for Animal Health Programs; Director of Ruminant Health Programs; Director of Surveillance and Disease Eradication; Chief of the National Animal Health Programs Staff; and as Senior Staff Veterinarian on the Export Animal Staff prior to his retirement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/ Veterinary Services (VS) and International Services (IS). In these positions, he was responsible for developing and implementing all national domestic animal health program policies, rules, and regulations for USDA.
During his 33 year career in APHIS, he worked within the five major components of APHIS- Among Dr. Gilsdorf’ responsibilities was supervision over 1) Field Operations as a Veterinary Medical Officer, 2) Area Veterinarian in charge of all federal animal health and animal welfare programs within the state; 3) Animal Resource Veterinarian at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory responsible for care and handling of laboratory animals for both diagnostics and biologics testing. At the same time Dr Gilsdorf was the project leader for a reduced dose Brucella Strain 19 vaccine project that helped advance the brucellosis eradication program, 4) Headquarters staff officer - including Import Animal Products Staff Veterinarian; Export Animals Chief Staff Veterinarian; Cattle Diseases Senior Staff Veterinarian and National Brucellosis Epidemiologist, and 5) International Services Epidemiologist and agency representative on International Assignments involving Foot and Mouth Disease, Screwworm eradication, and plant pests.
Dr Gilsdorf has experience conducting animal disease prevention, surveillance, control, and eradication procedures for the following national programs within the US: Foreign Animal Disease exclusion, Foot-and- Mouth Disease, Importation of animal and animal products, Exportation of animals, Classical Swine Fever, Screwworms, Vesicular Stomatitis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Swine Pseudorabies, Cattle Fever Tick/Babesiosis, Bont Tick, Scrapie, Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease in Poultry, and Chronic Wasting Disease.
Dr Gilsdorf participated in the Avian Influenza outbreaks in 1981 as the head of the Gettysburg, PA Task Force. Dr Gilsdorf received training in Avian Influenza while completing his Foreign Animal
Disease (FAD) training and has been a FAD diagnostician since 1977. As the Director of the National Center for Animal Health Programs, Dr Gilsdorf provided oversight on all domestic poultry program issues performed by APHIS/VS, including Avian Influenza. He also provided oversight on the National Poultry Improvement Plan for APHIS/VS.
Dr Gilsdorf also has experience in animal care inspection and enforcement activities. He provided supervision and oversight to APHIS veterinarians working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Program. He has written numerous national animal health rules and regulations for the importation, exportation, and animal diseases eradication programs throughout the US.
Dr. Gilsdorf is now the Chief Consultant at International Animal Health Solutions, LLC and
Associate member of HACCP Consulting Group LLC. Utilizing his extensive experience, he provides assistance on domestic and international issues of regulatory compliance in animal health; management of national, and local animal health programs; Import/Export equivalence requirements for animals and animal product;, humane handling; animal disease control and eradication methods; development and implementation of animal disease surveillance systems; and international trade negotiations. Dr. Gilsdorf received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University, and a Master of Veterinary Microbiology from Iowa State University.
Read about Dr. Gilsdorf's Brucellosis experience here.
Dr. Gilsdorf may be contacted at:
Phone 410 440 0060
Email [email protected]
Dr. Michael Gilsdorf served as the Director of the National Center for Animal Health Programs; Director of Ruminant Health Programs; Director of Surveillance and Disease Eradication; Chief of the National Animal Health Programs Staff; and as Senior Staff Veterinarian on the Export Animal Staff prior to his retirement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/ Veterinary Services (VS) and International Services (IS). In these positions, he was responsible for developing and implementing all national domestic animal health program policies, rules, and regulations for USDA.
During his 33 year career in APHIS, he worked within the five major components of APHIS- Among Dr. Gilsdorf’ responsibilities was supervision over 1) Field Operations as a Veterinary Medical Officer, 2) Area Veterinarian in charge of all federal animal health and animal welfare programs within the state; 3) Animal Resource Veterinarian at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory responsible for care and handling of laboratory animals for both diagnostics and biologics testing. At the same time Dr Gilsdorf was the project leader for a reduced dose Brucella Strain 19 vaccine project that helped advance the brucellosis eradication program, 4) Headquarters staff officer - including Import Animal Products Staff Veterinarian; Export Animals Chief Staff Veterinarian; Cattle Diseases Senior Staff Veterinarian and National Brucellosis Epidemiologist, and 5) International Services Epidemiologist and agency representative on International Assignments involving Foot and Mouth Disease, Screwworm eradication, and plant pests.
Dr Gilsdorf has experience conducting animal disease prevention, surveillance, control, and eradication procedures for the following national programs within the US: Foreign Animal Disease exclusion, Foot-and- Mouth Disease, Importation of animal and animal products, Exportation of animals, Classical Swine Fever, Screwworms, Vesicular Stomatitis, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Swine Pseudorabies, Cattle Fever Tick/Babesiosis, Bont Tick, Scrapie, Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease in Poultry, and Chronic Wasting Disease.
Dr Gilsdorf participated in the Avian Influenza outbreaks in 1981 as the head of the Gettysburg, PA Task Force. Dr Gilsdorf received training in Avian Influenza while completing his Foreign Animal
Disease (FAD) training and has been a FAD diagnostician since 1977. As the Director of the National Center for Animal Health Programs, Dr Gilsdorf provided oversight on all domestic poultry program issues performed by APHIS/VS, including Avian Influenza. He also provided oversight on the National Poultry Improvement Plan for APHIS/VS.
Dr Gilsdorf also has experience in animal care inspection and enforcement activities. He provided supervision and oversight to APHIS veterinarians working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Program. He has written numerous national animal health rules and regulations for the importation, exportation, and animal diseases eradication programs throughout the US.
Dr. Gilsdorf is now the Chief Consultant at International Animal Health Solutions, LLC and
Associate member of HACCP Consulting Group LLC. Utilizing his extensive experience, he provides assistance on domestic and international issues of regulatory compliance in animal health; management of national, and local animal health programs; Import/Export equivalence requirements for animals and animal product;, humane handling; animal disease control and eradication methods; development and implementation of animal disease surveillance systems; and international trade negotiations. Dr. Gilsdorf received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University, and a Master of Veterinary Microbiology from Iowa State University.
Read about Dr. Gilsdorf's Brucellosis experience here.
Dr. Gilsdorf may be contacted at:
Phone 410 440 0060
Email [email protected]
Charles (Chuck) Massengill, DVM
Dr Massengill graduated from Kansas State University with DVM degree in May 1979. He worked in mixed species veterinary practice focusing on dairy cattle, beef cattle, and swine; with a strong emphasis on herd health and production medicine. In 1988, Dr Massengill joined the Missouri Department of Agriculture as the Animal Health Epidemiologist and Animal Health Laboratory Director.
During that time he managed efforts in Missouri to eradicate bovine brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, and pseudorabies in swine. He and his wife, Rose, also manage their own cattle operation.
Dr Massengill represents the US National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on U.S./Mexico Bi-National Committee on Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis (BNC) and is currently the coordinator. He is a member of the U.S./Mexico Cross Border Working Group and member of the National Working Group on Bovine Virus Diarrhea. He participates on review teams that evaluate bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication programs in Mexico.
He has served as chairman of the United States Animal Health Association’s Committee on Tuberculosis and currently serves on seven United State Animal Health Association (USAHA) committees and presently serves as the Chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases of Cattle, Bison, and Camelids. Dr Massengill also served on the US Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health from 2010 through 2013.
Dr Massengill currently provides consultant services on topics of animal health program development, assessment, and applied epidemiological support.
Dr Massengill graduated from Kansas State University with DVM degree in May 1979. He worked in mixed species veterinary practice focusing on dairy cattle, beef cattle, and swine; with a strong emphasis on herd health and production medicine. In 1988, Dr Massengill joined the Missouri Department of Agriculture as the Animal Health Epidemiologist and Animal Health Laboratory Director.
During that time he managed efforts in Missouri to eradicate bovine brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, and pseudorabies in swine. He and his wife, Rose, also manage their own cattle operation.
Dr Massengill represents the US National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on U.S./Mexico Bi-National Committee on Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis (BNC) and is currently the coordinator. He is a member of the U.S./Mexico Cross Border Working Group and member of the National Working Group on Bovine Virus Diarrhea. He participates on review teams that evaluate bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication programs in Mexico.
He has served as chairman of the United States Animal Health Association’s Committee on Tuberculosis and currently serves on seven United State Animal Health Association (USAHA) committees and presently serves as the Chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases of Cattle, Bison, and Camelids. Dr Massengill also served on the US Secretary of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health from 2010 through 2013.
Dr Massengill currently provides consultant services on topics of animal health program development, assessment, and applied epidemiological support.
Darla Ewalt
Ms. Ewalt received her BS in Biology and MS in Veterinary Microbiology from Iowa State University. From 1975 to 2004, she was the lead microbiologist in the Brucella Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. She was responsible for the isolation and identification of Brucella from animal samples. She also assisted with TB isolation and identification and general bacteriology and serology. From 2004 to 2009 she was Quality Manager for the Pathobiology Laboratory, NVSL. The Pathobiology Laboratory conducts numerous tests including BSE ELISA, IHC and H&E, Serum Screen, Parasitology, Scrapie Genotyping, Histology, TB PCR, Histopathology, HPLC for pesticides and pH testing.
Darla is a member of American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, AOAC International and the Brucella Taxonomy Subcommittee. She has published over 50 scientific articles and is co-author of the Bovine Brucellosis Chapter in the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (mammals, birds and bees), 5th and 6th editions. She is also a reviewer for two Elsevier publications.
Ms. Ewalt received her BS in Biology and MS in Veterinary Microbiology from Iowa State University. From 1975 to 2004, she was the lead microbiologist in the Brucella Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. She was responsible for the isolation and identification of Brucella from animal samples. She also assisted with TB isolation and identification and general bacteriology and serology. From 2004 to 2009 she was Quality Manager for the Pathobiology Laboratory, NVSL. The Pathobiology Laboratory conducts numerous tests including BSE ELISA, IHC and H&E, Serum Screen, Parasitology, Scrapie Genotyping, Histology, TB PCR, Histopathology, HPLC for pesticides and pH testing.
Darla is a member of American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, AOAC International and the Brucella Taxonomy Subcommittee. She has published over 50 scientific articles and is co-author of the Bovine Brucellosis Chapter in the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (mammals, birds and bees), 5th and 6th editions. She is also a reviewer for two Elsevier publications.
Miladin Kostovic
D.V.M., M.S.
Dr Kostovic received his DVM from the University of Belgrade in 1992 and his Master in Veterinary Sciences in 1997. In 1992, Dr Kostovic joined the faculty of University of Belgrade, School of Veterinary Medicine, in Serbia where he taught in the Department of Microbiology. He was also the Head of Serology Section of the Department of Microbiology, a reference laboratory for leptospirosis and brucellosis. During that time, Dr Kostovic developed diagnostic test kits for brucellosis and leptospirosis.
In 1998 through 1999, he was a consultant for the Government of Serbia for their bovine leucosis virus (BLV) eradication program. In 1999, Dr Kostovic was a research scientist at the Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Bacteriology of Leptospires in Nantes, France.
In 2000, he joined VMRD, Inc. and was responsible for marketing and sales of VMRD’s extensive product portfolio with a notable success in placement of bluetongue diagnostics in European market.
He joined Diachemix LLC in 2004 and was responsible for sales and marketing of BSE test kits for Prionics AG and brucellosis FPA test kits. During that time, Dr Kostovic was instrumental in getting the USDA approval for the Brucella Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA) as a method of choice for USDA brucellosis program.
In 2007, he founded Veridia LLC which was a consultant to Prionics AG responsible for regional sales and marketing. With Prionics, Dr. Kostovic started numerous projects, helping Prionics diversify its portfolio specifically in market of tuberculosis test kits and BVDV.
Dr Kostovic also managed the research laboratory for veterinary diagnostics in domain of bovine BVDV. Dr Kostovic developed the “BVDView” extraction buffer for diagnosis of BVDV in cattle and submitted a patent application. The BVDView is essential component of test kits, in diagnosis of BVDV using non-structural protein detection.
In 2013, Dr Kostovic founded Ellie LLC with partners and is currently serving as its CEO. Ellie provides instrument and diagnostic test marketing and development for use in animal health, food safety and medical industries. Dr Kostovic has also expanded Ellie’s tests to include tuberculosis, salmonellosis, and various tests in animal feed and food markets. In 2013, Ellie licensed the Florescence Polarization Assay technology from Diachemix LLC and is the exclusive provider of this technology worldwide.
Dr Kostovic’s goal is to achieve excellence in diagnostic veterinary microbiology, through development and marketing of new products and procedures for diagnosis of infectious diseases of animals.
Dr Kostovic received his DVM from the University of Belgrade in 1992 and his Master in Veterinary Sciences in 1997. In 1992, Dr Kostovic joined the faculty of University of Belgrade, School of Veterinary Medicine, in Serbia where he taught in the Department of Microbiology. He was also the Head of Serology Section of the Department of Microbiology, a reference laboratory for leptospirosis and brucellosis. During that time, Dr Kostovic developed diagnostic test kits for brucellosis and leptospirosis.
In 1998 through 1999, he was a consultant for the Government of Serbia for their bovine leucosis virus (BLV) eradication program. In 1999, Dr Kostovic was a research scientist at the Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Bacteriology of Leptospires in Nantes, France.
In 2000, he joined VMRD, Inc. and was responsible for marketing and sales of VMRD’s extensive product portfolio with a notable success in placement of bluetongue diagnostics in European market.
He joined Diachemix LLC in 2004 and was responsible for sales and marketing of BSE test kits for Prionics AG and brucellosis FPA test kits. During that time, Dr Kostovic was instrumental in getting the USDA approval for the Brucella Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA) as a method of choice for USDA brucellosis program.
In 2007, he founded Veridia LLC which was a consultant to Prionics AG responsible for regional sales and marketing. With Prionics, Dr. Kostovic started numerous projects, helping Prionics diversify its portfolio specifically in market of tuberculosis test kits and BVDV.
Dr Kostovic also managed the research laboratory for veterinary diagnostics in domain of bovine BVDV. Dr Kostovic developed the “BVDView” extraction buffer for diagnosis of BVDV in cattle and submitted a patent application. The BVDView is essential component of test kits, in diagnosis of BVDV using non-structural protein detection.
In 2013, Dr Kostovic founded Ellie LLC with partners and is currently serving as its CEO. Ellie provides instrument and diagnostic test marketing and development for use in animal health, food safety and medical industries. Dr Kostovic has also expanded Ellie’s tests to include tuberculosis, salmonellosis, and various tests in animal feed and food markets. In 2013, Ellie licensed the Florescence Polarization Assay technology from Diachemix LLC and is the exclusive provider of this technology worldwide.
Dr Kostovic’s goal is to achieve excellence in diagnostic veterinary microbiology, through development and marketing of new products and procedures for diagnosis of infectious diseases of animals.
Seyedmehdi Mobini
Professor of Veterinary Science
Fort Valley State University
Key Qualifications:
Dr. Mobini has 38 years of experience as a veterinarian and educator. His expertise is in the area of Sheep &Goat Disease Prevention, surveillance, treatment, herd health management, and reproductive management. He is Professor of Veterinary Science at Fort Valley State University, a unit of The University System of Georgia. For the past 20 years, he has been involved in the development of sheep and goat industry in Georgia and Southeast serving as State of Georgia Small Ruminant Extension Veterinarian. He worked with many farms in management, disease surveillance, investigation, prevention and control, identification, parasite control and mastitis. He is very efficient in Sheep and Goat Estrus Synchronization, AI and Embryo Transfer. He also works with Georgia State Veterinarian and USDA/APHIS/VS Area Veterinarian in Charge as a Small Ruminant Disease specialist. Dr. Mobini presented at several national and international meetings, including AVMA conventions, and published numerous Scientific and Extension publications on sheep and goat herd health management and reproduction. He has been exposed to veterinary practice in Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Afghanistan, Bagladesh and United States of America. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of the Small Ruminant Practitioners, Animal Health Committee of American Sheep Industry, and AVMA Animal Welfare Committee. He currently serves on Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors, American Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Advisory Committee, and AVMA House of Delegates.
Education:
1987 - Diplomate, American College of Theriogenologists
1981 - M.S. in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Auburn University; Auburn, AL
1981 - Residency Diploma in Bovine Medicine and Surgery, Auburn University; AL
1977 - D.V.M., School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University; Shiraz, Iran.
Licenses: Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, and an Accredited Veterinarian.
Professional Experience:
2003. Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician, USDA
2002. Georgia Agri-leaders Forum Leadership Training
2008-2013. Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Science, Fort Valley State University
2002-2006: Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA-APHIS-VS, Georgia
Professor of Veterinary Science
Fort Valley State University
Key Qualifications:
Dr. Mobini has 38 years of experience as a veterinarian and educator. His expertise is in the area of Sheep &Goat Disease Prevention, surveillance, treatment, herd health management, and reproductive management. He is Professor of Veterinary Science at Fort Valley State University, a unit of The University System of Georgia. For the past 20 years, he has been involved in the development of sheep and goat industry in Georgia and Southeast serving as State of Georgia Small Ruminant Extension Veterinarian. He worked with many farms in management, disease surveillance, investigation, prevention and control, identification, parasite control and mastitis. He is very efficient in Sheep and Goat Estrus Synchronization, AI and Embryo Transfer. He also works with Georgia State Veterinarian and USDA/APHIS/VS Area Veterinarian in Charge as a Small Ruminant Disease specialist. Dr. Mobini presented at several national and international meetings, including AVMA conventions, and published numerous Scientific and Extension publications on sheep and goat herd health management and reproduction. He has been exposed to veterinary practice in Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Afghanistan, Bagladesh and United States of America. He served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of the Small Ruminant Practitioners, Animal Health Committee of American Sheep Industry, and AVMA Animal Welfare Committee. He currently serves on Georgia Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors, American Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Advisory Committee, and AVMA House of Delegates.
Education:
1987 - Diplomate, American College of Theriogenologists
1981 - M.S. in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, Auburn University; Auburn, AL
1981 - Residency Diploma in Bovine Medicine and Surgery, Auburn University; AL
1977 - D.V.M., School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University; Shiraz, Iran.
Licenses: Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, and an Accredited Veterinarian.
Professional Experience:
2003. Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician, USDA
2002. Georgia Agri-leaders Forum Leadership Training
2008-2013. Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary Science, Fort Valley State University
2002-2006: Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA-APHIS-VS, Georgia
Bob H. Bokma, DVM, MPVM, Dipl ACVPM
Germantown, MD
Dr. Bokma graduated from the University of California (DVM 1976), Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine 1977) and was boarded as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (1989). He enjoys training and working with international counterparts. Dr. Bokma is comfortable in diverse international and language settings.
Dr. Bokma has significant experience opening and retaining markets in the face of animal diseases, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy, avian influenza, porcine epidemic diarrhea, and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome. He was successful keeping the market for fresh poultry to Cuba open in spite of communications limits and disease issues. He worked extensively with Mexico to open and retain markets for beef and for poultry meat open in spite of disease issues. Further Dr. Bokma has worked to establish priorities for import and export protocol development, establish cross-cutting plans of action to gain markets for the United States at the same time as protecting the agricultural health of the United States animal industries. These roles required regular coordination with APHIS Trade Support Team, APHIS International Services, Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. He also was charged with providing briefing materials for use by various offices of USDA and U.S. Trade Representative.
From 1980 until 2016 Dr. Bokma worked as a veterinary medical officer with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, both Veterinary Services and International Services. In his various roles he has managed animal disease eradication (brucellosis, tuberculosis, cattle fever ticks, tropical bont ticks), as well as animal welfare, swine health programs, import and export programs as well as being a foreign animal disease diagnostician. Prior to 1980, Dr. Bokma worked for the Universidad Nacional Experimental de los Llanos Occidentales “Ezequiel Zamora” in Guanare, Venezuela, as lecturer and researcher in agricultural zoology and tropical veterinary diseases.
Work experience:
1987 – 1996: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Assistant and Area Veterinarian-in-Charge, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Managed a large work force for cattle fever tick eradication as well as eradication of tuberculosis, brucellosis and tropical bont ticks.
1997 – 2000: USDA APHIS International Services, Operational Support Staff. Associate Director and Acting Director of the Operations Support Staff of USDA APHIS International Services (1997-1999). Veterinary Medical Officer (1999 - 2000). Supported foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever and screwworm fly eradication efforts and preclearance programs for fruits and vegetables. Project work with World Bank.
2000 – 2016: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, National Import and Export Service. Regional Trade Coordinator and later Regional Trade Director for the Americas region (2000-2006). Senior Staff Veterinarian (2006 – 2016). Worked with the chief veterinary officers and animal quarantine staffs and with U.S. animal product, livestock and poultry industries to establish favorable animal health requirements, including certification, mitigation measures, and testing, for the export of U.S. products.
Germantown, MD
Dr. Bokma graduated from the University of California (DVM 1976), Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine 1977) and was boarded as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (1989). He enjoys training and working with international counterparts. Dr. Bokma is comfortable in diverse international and language settings.
Dr. Bokma has significant experience opening and retaining markets in the face of animal diseases, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy, avian influenza, porcine epidemic diarrhea, and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome. He was successful keeping the market for fresh poultry to Cuba open in spite of communications limits and disease issues. He worked extensively with Mexico to open and retain markets for beef and for poultry meat open in spite of disease issues. Further Dr. Bokma has worked to establish priorities for import and export protocol development, establish cross-cutting plans of action to gain markets for the United States at the same time as protecting the agricultural health of the United States animal industries. These roles required regular coordination with APHIS Trade Support Team, APHIS International Services, Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. He also was charged with providing briefing materials for use by various offices of USDA and U.S. Trade Representative.
From 1980 until 2016 Dr. Bokma worked as a veterinary medical officer with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, both Veterinary Services and International Services. In his various roles he has managed animal disease eradication (brucellosis, tuberculosis, cattle fever ticks, tropical bont ticks), as well as animal welfare, swine health programs, import and export programs as well as being a foreign animal disease diagnostician. Prior to 1980, Dr. Bokma worked for the Universidad Nacional Experimental de los Llanos Occidentales “Ezequiel Zamora” in Guanare, Venezuela, as lecturer and researcher in agricultural zoology and tropical veterinary diseases.
Work experience:
1987 – 1996: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Assistant and Area Veterinarian-in-Charge, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Managed a large work force for cattle fever tick eradication as well as eradication of tuberculosis, brucellosis and tropical bont ticks.
1997 – 2000: USDA APHIS International Services, Operational Support Staff. Associate Director and Acting Director of the Operations Support Staff of USDA APHIS International Services (1997-1999). Veterinary Medical Officer (1999 - 2000). Supported foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever and screwworm fly eradication efforts and preclearance programs for fruits and vegetables. Project work with World Bank.
2000 – 2016: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, National Import and Export Service. Regional Trade Coordinator and later Regional Trade Director for the Americas region (2000-2006). Senior Staff Veterinarian (2006 – 2016). Worked with the chief veterinary officers and animal quarantine staffs and with U.S. animal product, livestock and poultry industries to establish favorable animal health requirements, including certification, mitigation measures, and testing, for the export of U.S. products.
International Animal Health Solutions LLC
7101 Gaither Road
Sykesville, MD 21784
410-440-0060
[email protected]
7101 Gaither Road
Sykesville, MD 21784
410-440-0060
[email protected]
