STAMFORD, CONN. — The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced the addition of two pet professionals to its board of directors on April 17. Kevin Fick, former chief executive officer and current board member of PetWise Brands, and Josh Patterson, vice president of sales, North America, for Carnivore Meat Company’s Vital Essentials brand, have both joined the board of the pet industry association.

“On behalf of the entire APPA board, I would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulations to our new directors,” said Tommy Baroody, chair of the APPA board and vice president of sales at Nestlé Purina North America. “Kevin and Josh bring extensive leadership experience and industry expertise to their new positions, and we look forward to the insights they will bring to the association.”

Fick and Patterson join existing board members Todd Regan, senior vice president of marketing at Central Garden & Pet, who serves as secretary/treasurer; Chuck Latham, founder of H&C Animal Health, who was the immediate past chair; and directors Terry Anderton, founder and CEO of Wagz, Inc.; Steve Clark, chief revenue officer at Petmate; and Savina Singh, CEO of JoJo Modern Pets.

Fick has 25 years of experience in the pet industry, having served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for Central Garden & Pet before joining PetWise Brands. He also serves on the board of JoyBound, an organization connecting pets with loving homes.

“The entire team at APPA is excited to have Kevin reappointed to our board of directors,” said Peter Scott, president and CEO of APPA. “His previous nine-year term on the APPA board and his experience in the pet industry brings with him a wealth of knowledge and connections that will aid us in furthering our mission.”

Patterson brings a career’s worth of experience to the APPA board, having started in the industry as a part-time retail associate at Petsence by Tractor Supply, where he stayed for 12 years before transitioning to pet product manufacturing. Before joining Vital Essentials, he held leadership roles with Nulo Pet Food, PetSmart and PetPlate. Patterson is particularly knowledgeable about omnichannel, retail marketing, and leading merchandising and sales teams.

“When I accepted a part-time role as a retail associate during college, I never could have imagined the incredible career path I would have in pet,” Patterson said. “I am excited to use my passion and expertise to further APPA’s mission of promoting responsible pet care and advancing the pet products industry, while helping ensure that our members’ businesses remain strong and provide rewarding careers to those interested in the pet industry.”

Fick, Patterson and existing APPA board members will continue to advance the association’s initiatives, which serve more than 1,000 pet industry stakeholders across the United States.

Read more news from associations and agencies in the pet food sector.