Mike has long been involved in the animal health industry in various technical, sales and marketing roles and will be known to many vets for commercializing the “Leocillin Mastitis Trial” while Marketing Manager for Boehringer Ingelheim in the late 90’s. Following that he developed and managed a start-up IT venture called “Vetgate”. He stepped away from animal health after Vetgate was wrapped up, deciding to focus on a rock n roll band he was in – and paid the bills via a small Pet Food import/distribution business that he owned. Mike sold that business recently and following a chance meeting with a veterinary colleague after moving to Canterbury he re-joins the animal health Industry with Agilis Vet.
“Our aim is to bring new niche products to veterinarians in New Zealand. It is important for the veterinarians and their customers that we use the best products that science can provide”
This drives Ben to work with manufacturers around the globe to source and develop products for the NZ market. Ben bring a broad array of management skills to the role, his farming interests and his original training as a lawyer gives him a skill set that is allowing Agilis Vets to have a solid improvement in performance each year. Ben and his wife run a 1400 acre farm in the hills behind Timaru. Ben has been working in the NZ animal health sector since mid-2011 involved with Agilis and other initiatives in the sector.
Rhonda started employment with Agilis at the beginning of 2021 and is based at our Timaru office. She had spent the previous 5 years as the Financial Administrator for a local manufacturing business with nationwide sales, and four busy South Island retail outlets.
Prior to this Rhonda was the Financial Administrator for the district’s Economic and Tourism Agency which also included the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. While employed in this position, the NZ Diploma of Business with Accounting Principles & Practices, were gained. Earlier work life involved roles in sole charge Office Management, in the upper North Island. Her experience has brought great organisational skills and attention to detail, for the benefit of the business.
With an easy-going nature, and a great sense of humour, she thoroughly enjoys being part of the team. Loving the outdoors, she and her family reside on 28 acre lifestyle block between Timaru and Pleasant Point. Outside of work, life is dominated with having 2 teenagers at home (a daughter year 12 & a son year 9 at school). Any remaining time is prioritised for both relaxing and competitive horse riding, ballet and tap- dancing classes.
After graduating from Massey Vet, Ann spent time in practise in Stratford and Te Puke before heading over to the US on a two-year adventure. Twenty-three years later she returned to NZ and has joined Agilis in a technical capacity. Over the intervening period Ann taught ambulatory medicine at Cornell University for 2 years, completed her MBA at Cornell, and had an 18+ year career with Pfizer/ Zoetis in a variety of roles. Her initial role was a Technical Vet supporting the dairy portfolio across the Eastern states of the US, followed by strategic accounts management, working with key dairies across the US. A shift into a global team followed, focusing on the identification of new technologies and the development of partnerships, and provided the opportunity to move back to the Antipodes, albeit Sydney.
For a variety of reasons, it was time to move back to Christchurch, New Zealand, close to where she grew up on the farm in Chertsey, and after two years reacquainting herself with vet practise is excited about re-joining the animal health industry.
Outside of work, Ann tries hard to keep up with her two kids, both now studying Engineering at UC, and has taken on a new venture of DIY on a “renovators dream” bach near a beach.
To contact Ann;
Born and bred proud Southlander, now residing near Hinds, Sarah comes from a Sheep and beef back ground and her passion for the animal health industry has always been strong.
Being able to help provide animal health solutions to the veterinary and agriculture industry has always been the goal whether it’s helping farmers or Veterinarians.
Sarah initially studying in the south for a Diploma in Vet Nursing spent 8 years working in a busy mixed animal clinic as Head Vet Nurse and some large animal tech work, before heading back to study again at Lincoln University to focus more on production animal health gaining a Diploma in Applied Science. Then went on to spend 3 years as an Upper South Island Territory Manager working for Elanco Animal Health. Sarah has been with Agilis since 2015 building and maintaining strong relationships within the industry.
Sarah spends her time outside of work, horse riding, playing squash and spending time with her fiancé and young daughter on their dairy grazing block.
Haydn is orginally from a lifestyle block in the Hawkes Bay then he headed down to Lincoln University to study a Bachelors of Agricultural Science. This decision only growing his passion for the Ag industry and provided him with the scientific background to everything he would do on farm over the following 9 years. From University Haydn went on to work on dairy farms in the Dannevirke area before heading to the Manawatu to manage a 500 cow dairy farm at Foxton. Where he is still based.
Haydn love’s seeing farmers being able to maximise their production systems through the use of innovative and quality products, which has drawn him to Agilis and to make the switch off farm.
In Haydn’s spare time he can be found fishing up at Lake Taupo, walking the dog and spending quality time with his wife.
Residing in the mighty South Waikato, Edwina comes from a dairying background with a passion for animal health.
Edwina studied for a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing at Massey University. Since completion, employment was gained in a busy mixed practice as a Vet Nurse/Technician spanning 10 years. This role evolved into Practice Co-Ordinator/Manager of the clinic.
Edwina also spent a season working for both Miraka and Livestock Improvement. This gave her a greater insight to the agriculture industry, as well as the odd relief milking for her neighbours, on a small 250 cow farm.
Edwina and her husband live on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Tokoroa. Her spare time is taken up being a triathlete and racing dirt bikes. Spending quality time being an apprentice builder/painter for her husband, during renovations is enjoyable.