During the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians (AAEVT) convention, held Dec. 6-9 in Denver, Colorado, the organization presented annual awards and scholarships and welcomed new board members.
Deborah Reeder Innovation Award: Kim Brown
The AAEVT honored media professional Kim Brown with the Deborah Reeder Innovation Award designed to recognize a person or organization within the equine community that has demonstrated immense creativity, dedication, diligence, resilience, and efforts to improve the veterinary profession and health care team as a whole.
Kim has been a visionary partner of the AAEVT since its earliest days. With more than 43 years in equine publishing and journalism, she saw the need for a platform that bridges veterinary science, horse owners, and industry innovation. She founded The Horse, shaped the Equine Health Network, including EquiManagement, Equus, and Stable Management, and consistently elevated the conversation around equine health and practice. She continues to engage, mentor, and take on select clients through her company, the Homestead Information Network Incorporated, staying active in ideation, editorial work, and industry thought leadership.
“Kim was one of the first to understand and actively support the vision of the AAEVT,” said AAEVT Vice President Jlynn Meyer. “Her belief in what we could become gave us credibility and momentum. Her legacy is not just what she built but what she inspires in all who strive for progress in the equine veterinary fields.”
Awards, Scholarships, and Board Members
Member of the Year: Kelsey Thoms, LVT, of Jackpot Equine in Tucson, Arizona
Instructor of the Year: Sharon Scheiltz, RVT, AAEVT Anesthesia Society Instructor
Regional Contact of the Year: Alexa Forman
Anne Bailey Scholarship recipients: Hillery Williams, Faith Carr, and Emma Miller-Brown
Midge Leitch Scholarship recipient: Courtney Dod
Milissa Finnegan Scholarship recipients: Erin Brown-Borgiet and Taylor Ellison
Board Members
- President – Lexie Conrow, LVT
- Incoming President – Arie Wolff, LVT, VTS-EVN
- Past President – Eli Olind, LVT
- Vice President – Jlynn Meyer, LVT
- Regional Director – Trinette Merrill, LVT
- Secretary – Sheena Kaleshian, LVT
Executive Team
- Katie Soobrian, CFO
- Kristi Ely, Assistant Executive Director/Member Director
- Wiss Costanza, Executive Director
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