Patterson Companies announced that Kevin Pohlman has been named President of Patterson Animal Health. Mr. Pohlman replaces John Adent, who left the company in July to pursue other leadership opportunities.
Animal Health International was acquired by Patterson Companies in 2015. With Patterson Veterinary Supply, the two entities are combining as one business unit, Patterson Animal Health. Patterson Animal Health is one of the largest animal health products distribution businesses in the world, supplying pharmaceuticals, consumables, equipment, technologies and practice management and operations management tools to veterinarians, livestock producers, and farm store/retail operations across North America and the United Kingdom.
“It’s my privilege to have the opportunity to lead this great team—the best in the industry,” said Mr. Pohlman. "We’ve reached a real tipping point in our efforts to bring the two organizations together. We’ve integrated our sales forces, our ‘back office’ operations and systems are running smoothly, and we’re seeing real, tangible results in our continuing efforts to ensure that our customers are satisfied. It’s something we measure against—that our customers are getting the service levels and product mix they expect, and are receiving practical solutions to the challenges they face every day. Making their business better makes our business better.”
Mr. Pohlman joined the organization in August 2001 and was most recently the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Prior to assuming that role, Mr. Pohlman was President of Corporate Sales and Marketing for Animal Health International. Beginning in 2001, Mr. Pohlman held a variety of leadership roles, including Vice President of Dealer Sales with oversight of the Marketing department until June 2011. Mr. Pohlman began his career with Pohlman Bros. Supply, a family-owned dealer and distributor of dairy equipment, animal health supplies and food plant supplies in Ohio.
Mr. Pohlman also commented, “at Patterson Animal Health, our focus is on the customer, and doing all we can to ensure the customer can be successful in his or her practice, store or operation, and growing. This philosophy is led from my office and extends to each and every branch, distribution center, and employee. It’s simple—if the customer succeeds, we succeed.”
Mr. Pohlman leads the Patterson Animal Health business unit with a strong, experienced executive team, comprised of George Henriques (formerly President of Patterson Veterinary), Patterson Animal Health’s Chief Commercial Officer, Doug Jones, President--Companion Animal and Steve Cunningham, President--Production Animal.
“We’re delivering great value to our customers, and great value to our manufacturing-partners. We believe in listening, earning mutual trust, empowering our employees to focus on providing solutions to our customers and partners, and excellence in execution. We’re proud of who we are, and proud of how we serve our customers and the larger animal health industry. We’re going to keep doing what’s right, and are looking forward to an even greater future,” Pohlman added.
