The Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) recently announced David Little as new chief executive officer. Little replaces retiring CEO Guy Pidgeon, DVM, DACVIM, who served in the position since 2007.

Little (left) joined the WVC executive staff with a dual role in 2009 as assistant CEO and director of WVC’s Oquendo Center for Clinical Education. He says he is now ready to assume his new role. “I am extremely excited to assume leadership of Western Veterinary Conference at this time,” Little said in a prepared statement. “WVC is an outstanding organization, with a tremendous board and a hardworking and dedicated staff.”

Little has been actively involved in event and meeting planning, according to the WVC, including service with the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention and Meeting Planning Division and the board of directors for the Professional Convention Management Association. “Little has provided highly effective, multifaceted direction for Western Veterinary Conference and particularly for the Oquendo Center through strategic planning and collaborative management of staffing, events, activities, and services,” a WVC release said.

Pidgeon (left)will remain as CEO emeritus through June 2013 to work with Little through the transition. “I am delighted to leave the organization in the hands of such a capable Board and executive crew,” Pidgeon says. “The talent represented in new CEO David Little, Manolita Moore as annual conference director, and Don Waldron as chief medical officer, as well as the dedicated support staff, assures a bright, exciting future for the conference and the Oquendo Center.”