Gary Baxter has been promoted to VP, Sales & Marketing and will replace Dr Claude Dhont in this role. Dr Dhont will be returning to Europe at the end of the summer to assume another position with Ceva as Country Manager in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg. Rick van Oort will join the North American team as Director of Marketing. Under the leadership of Dhont and Baxter, Ceva climbed to the number two position in market share and was ranked as the top poultry sales force in the animal health industry by C.F. Grass Consulting.

“With Claude’s leadership and vision, we have become one of the leading companies in the poultry vaccine market,” said Craig Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of Ceva Animal Health, LLC. “Gary will continue to build on the structure we’ve put in place for future growth that will ensure Ceva is the go-to company for broiler and layer vaccines and services.”

Dr Dhont assumed leadership of the US team in early 2012. His previous experience with Ceva includes 10 years as Managing Director in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Mr Baxter has been with Ceva for the last three years, holding positions of leadership in both sales and marketing for the US poultry business. Prior to joining Ceva, Mr Baxter spent over 10 years in marketing for Tyson Foods, Inc. including serving as Tyson’s Marketing Director.

“The strength of our portfolio and the strength and commitment of our sales force have brought Ceva to the forefront of this industry in a very short time. Our commitment to helping customers meet their animal health needs and their business goals will continue to be this team’s focus,” said Mr Baxter.

Mr van Oort is a poultry farmer’s son, who joined Ceva Animal Health in 2009 as Poultry Corporate Range Manager where he was responsible for the layer vaccine portfolio focusing on vaccines for Salmonella, Infectious Coryza, Marek vaccines and Mycoplasma Gallisepticum. Prior to joining Ceva, he worked at Intervet as Global Product Manager.

“Rick brings a global perspective on the layer and breeder segments and a deep understanding of industry issues like Salmonella, Mycoplasma, and ILT” said Mr Baxter.

The transition to these new roles is already underway and is expected to be complete by 1 September.