April 1, 2015 marked a new chapter for the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association (WVMA) with a move to a new office. From humble beginnings in the basement of a funeral home, the new office is a great example of how much the WVMA has grown since its founding in 1915."The new office space showcases how the WVMA has grown over the last 100 years," says Kim Brown Pokorny, WVMA executive director. "We now have the room to grow to best meet the changing needs of our members."
In 1967, the WVMA established its first office in the basement of a funeral home in Madison, Wis. With the retirement of long time Executive Secretary, Dr. Bill O'Rourke, in 1987, the WVMA looked to a new office with full-time staff.
"A new chapter for the association began with the Broom Street office," says Brown Pokorny. "For the first time, the association was hiring someone who wasn't a veterinarian to make decisions and direct the membership."
After over 20 years in downtown Madison, the Executive Board decided it was time to look for a new location. To help make commuting easier for meetings held at and away from the office, the Executive Board made the decision to move to the east side of Madison in 2010.
"Our first location on the east side served its purpose for five years," says Brown Pokorny. "But as an association, we are always looking to improve and grow."
Growth of the WVMA and the possibility of hosting larger meetings at the office is what led the WVMA Executive Board to start looking for a new office location in late 2014.
"The WVMA is growing, and not only can we hold larger meetings at the new location, but we can also operate trainings for other programs run by the WVMA," says Brown Pokorny.
Since 2009, the WVMA has added three additional brands to its portfolio, a Public Action Committee (PAC), the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Foundation (WVMF) and Food Armor.
"Every change is made with the intention to help the association move forward," says Brown Pokorny. "This move is one of many changes as we continue to grow and adapt with the ever changing veterinary medical industry."
5.1.2015