(Edited press release)
Craig Carter, a 26-year veteran in diagnostic veterinary medicine, is the new director of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center.
Carter, who currently serves as epidemiology professor and section chief, will take over Aug. 1, replacing Lenn Harrison, who is retiring after serving 16 years as director.
“The appointment of a nationally distinguished successor to Dr. Harrison at LDDC continues our progress toward our goal for the LDDC--to become a world-class center commensurate with Kentucky's world class animal enterprises,” said Scott Smith, dean of the College of Agriculture.
“I look forward to working with Dean Scott Smith and associate dean Nancy Cox, our clients and stakeholders, the Gluck Center, Veterinary Science faculty and staff, and faculty and staff of the LDDC to take the next steps to better serve Kentucky animal agriculture and public health,” said Carter. “We all salute Dr. Lenn Harrison for his many outstanding years as LDDC director and wish him and wife, Sandra, the very best in retirement.”
In his first 100 days, Carter said he plans to assess client satisfaction in specific service areas, as well as the quality of LDDC-client communications and build a consensus action plan for improvement. With the delay in funding of the LDDC facilities renovation and upgrade, Carter wants to review the budget to ensure adequate resources are available to complete the project.
Additionally, he plans to review the budget for 2008 and identify any critical shortfalls; propose and implement some fundamental organizational changes; and fill some critical positions, namely an associate director of LDDC in-house; and acquire instrumentation for toxicology, molecular biology, serology, and other laboratory sections.
Over the longer term, his goals are to complete a facility expansion and upgrade, achieve full American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians accreditation, and join and participate in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
"Carter’s skills as a communicator, his extensive laboratory experience, and background in military administration make him a great choice to take over the helm at the LDDC, said David Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “It is very important to be able to communicate well with constituents--the livestock producers and veterinarians,” he added.
Switzer is a member of the LDDC advisory council and search committee member.