Ethos Veterinary Health (“Ethos”) consists of over 145 world-class specialty and emergency hospitals dedicated to advancing animal health and providing exceptional, compassionate care. With a network of over 2,000 board-certified specialists and emergency doctors, Ethos brings together an integrated community of expertise and collaboration enabling continuous growth and learning. As one of the largest veterinary specialty networks, Ethos takes a scientific, evidence-based approach to lead the advancement of cutting-edge medicine to extend and improve the lives of pets.As Associate General Counsel - Compliance, I lead the design and implementation of comprehensive compliance programs within our hospital network. My role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities to ensure that all our operations meet the highest standards of legal and regulatory compliance.Key areas of focus include:Policy Development & Implementation: Designing and rolling out compliance policies across various domains such as Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, DEA compliance for controlled substances, OSHA, among many others. Review and approve all other company-wide policies to ensure consistency application.Training & Education: Developing and delivering training programs to ensure that all staff are well-versed in compliance requirements, from occupational health and safety to corporate governance.Audit & Monitoring: Implementing audit protocols to regularly assess compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and ensuring corrective actions where necessary.Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across our hospital network to protect our employees, patients, and company reputation.Corporate Governance: Supporting the organization in upholding strong governance practices and ethical standards across all levels.Occupational Health & Safety: Ensuring compliance with safety regulations and promoting a culture of safety within the workplace.

FSU College of Law Juris Masters Program.Current classes taught: Financial Statement Interpretation, Regulatory Compliance

With over 20 years of in-house legal counsel and finance experience, Guardian General Counsel (GGC) is uniquely qualified to guide your business, assess the current landscape and work with your management team. As your out-sourced general counsel, GGC will help your organization avoid legal pitfalls which end up costing your company a lot of money and a great deal of time. GGC is able to aid in all of your company's legal activities from ad-hoc contract reviews to HR management advising to acting as the coordinator of all your company’s legal activities including liaising with any litigation counsel as your in-house representative. In short, GGC is able to help CEO's and their management teams run the business by providing preventative strategies which helps to avoid legal pitfalls. GGC is available as needed by phone, video conference, web meeting, or on-site visit for audits, board meetings, management meetings, HR investigations, etc. We understand how business objectives and budgetary constraints impact your decisions. Our legal advice is tailored to your business goals and budgets. Our Business is to help your business.

Using my strengths in strategic planning and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet desired objectives, I lead organizational legal operations related to my company and its subsidiaries. I think of the things and spot the issues that others don't which allows me to effectively smooth the path for the organization and leads to more successful outcomes.I set up the first in-house legal department as the solo attorney and led the HR department during transitional periods.To meet desired objectives, I oversaw legal team activities and people operations and offered viable leadership support during a complete restructure of a the organization, its parent and subsidiary entities.To move forward to new divisions and service offerings including new technologies and services, I communicated and engaged with top leadership teams in order to ensure clear pathways and well-balanced operational methodologies for these new initiatives. By steering insurance programs for all organizations, I ensure the entities are well protected.I draft, negotiate, and review all material commercial contracts for all entities within the business portfolio.As Corporate Secretary, by attending all board meetings, preparing minutes, initiating swift resolutions, organization document amendments, corporate formations, and state registrations and drafting company policies, I ensure proper corporate governance for the entities.Some of my selected contributions are the following:• Delivered individualized training and mentorship to C-suite executives in planning and eliminating major risks by drafting and implementing a risk framework/register and establishing a qualified risk team.• Led the internal M&A process for 4 acquisitions in 18 months.• Process Improvement: Automated the legal department to allow for trackable and reportable results for optimization of the legal team and create a best-in-class department with reliable and predictable results.

By delivering executive-level leadership support and guidance to cross-functional teams, I directed the company's overall legal functions for domestic expansion while managing general corporate matters as the solo in house attorney, professionally and effectively.To surpass business goals, I designed and implemented a national safety program under FMCSA/DOT governance.To initiate informed and data-driven decisions I collaborated with a board of directors across the United States and Australia to discuss and strategize current and future matters.For mitigation of core risks in terms of employment lawsuits I developed a management training program and trained all managers within the organization.To ensure fulfilment of applicable compliance with EEOC, ADA, and FMLA, and other US federal/state employment laws as well as Human Rights Act, pay in lieu, other Canadian federal & provincial employment laws via execution of appropriate controls and measures I led and streamlined HR discipline process.I also steered legal operations of advanced business strategies and plans as well as headed litigation matters and identified case merits for strategic disposal of any claims.A few of my selected achievements are the following:• Slashed $150K+ cost per year in workers comp claims and auto liability coverage premiums.• Formed and deployed an internal reporting system for successful management of safety and compliance department.• Devised first legal department for North America and expanded business footprint within US, while acting as a legal counsel for appropriate management of North American operations.• Minimized unsafe behaviors and drove overall driver safety scores by organizing a nationwide safety program from inception to successful completion.

Ensured fulfilment of applicable FDA and FTC regulatory compliance within areas of cosmetics, dietary supplements, advertisement, and data security.To oversee human resource audits, corporate formation, licensing agreements, and contract writing/negotiations I oversaw entire business affairs and outsourcing activities.A few of my key accomplishments are the following:Brought new start-up companies to market by preparing corporate formations. Prepared packaging labels for production including dietary supplement ingredient panels and all appropriate labeling of claims.

To meet win-win results I drafted, reviewed, and revised complex domestic and global business agreements. I ensured appropriate corporate formation, drafted private placement memorandum (PPM), licensing agreements, and contract writing/negotiations. I oversaw entire business affairs and outsourcing activities, advised clients on all complex corporate matters.Title Agent - handled firm real estate closings.

To complete large-volume and million-dollar agreements, I collaborated with worldwide sales teams.To meet win-win results, I drafted, reviewed, and revised complex domestic and global business agreements.To protect corporate Intellectual Property, including software systems (SaaS), publications, algorithms, etc. I wrote sales agreements for proprietary systems and provided NDA reviews & revisions.A few of my key accomplishments are the following:• Finalized large-volume and multi-million-dollar agreements working with global sales teams, while drafting and revising domestic/global business agreements.• Generated sales agreements for proprietary systems for securing corporate intellectual property; offered robust NDA reviews and revisions as per requirements.

Publicly traded organization in the biotech space. Preparation of private placement memorandum for raise of approximately $20M to support refocus and repositioning company from pure genetic biotech into product and revenue launch resulting in GeneLink becoming named as one of the fastest growing companies in the country. Participated in public filings and disclosures, corporate litigations and regulatory compliance, including successfully appearing on behalf of the company in front of the FDA and FTC. Member of the DSA (Direct Sales Association) * SEC Filings - 10k, 10q's, 8k's, rule 16's, Blue sky, etc.* PPM drafting for raise* Proxy drafting for annual shareholder meetings. * Managed federal regulatory compliance under FDA and FTC drug and cosmetic guidelines, * Responsible for review of advertising claims and substantiation, correct product labeling and staying current on regulatory changes. * Other areas include filing Trademarks, managing Patents and outside counsel, Contracts, SEC Filings, Stock related matters, Corporate Compliance, and Business Affiliate Compliance (MLM) for one of our marketing partners. Prior to transitioning into legal, I was the Controller with 13 years finance and accounting experience with 8 years of public company experience. I controlled the departmental functions of the monthly, quarterly and annual close, trending, budgeting, SOX compliance, costing, manage staff and any other major functions of the finance dept.

Publicly traded* SEC Filing (10K, 10Q's, 8k's, rule 16s, blue sky, etc.* PPM drafting* Proxy drafting for annual shareholder meetings* Board pack presentations* Full cycle Sr. Staff Accountant- reconciliations, managed timely closings for timely SEC filings.