| Leadership |
Executive Leadership![]() Thomas Heckel, LVTPresident Thomas Heckel is a Licensed Veterinary Technician from College Point, New York. He had worked as a Surgery Team Leader at The Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. He has since moved to the Capital Region of NY and works as the Surgery
Team Lead at Upstate Veterinary Specialties, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Saint Francis College in 2009. ![]() Sarah Fabrizio. LVTVice President "Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet." ![]() Martha Byard, LVT, VTS (SAIM)Treasurer Martha graduated from the veterinary technician program at LaGuardia Community College; and became a licensed veterinary technician in 2014. She obtained a veterinary technician specialty in small animal internal medicine in 2019. Martha worked in a general practice for several years before going into specialty medicine. For the past 7 year, Martha has called the internal medicine department at BluePearl Veterinary Partners her home. She currently serves on the Technician and Assistant Advisory Board for all BluePearl Hospitals and is on the Infectious Disease Committee for the NYC hospitals. Martha is the Metropolitan District Representative for the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians. With a strong interest in education, she works closely with students and lectures on a variety of topics, including her personal experience in the field of Veterinary Medicine, in hopes of providing guidance and mentorship to current LVT students. Martha has had several articles published in national and international technician journals. She is currently working on the re-write for the 2nd edition of Linda Merrill's Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. Martha also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. She currently lives in New York City with her three four-legged rescue dogs. ![]() Alyse Retallick, BS, LVTSecretary Alyse is a Licensed Veterinary Technologist from Port Jervis, New York. She graduated from Mercy College with a BS in Veterinary Technology and is currently working towards her Master's in Public Health.
My goal is to be a role model and lead by example for my students. I hope they remain actively involved and participate in their communities, education, and state chapter after they graduate...Pay it forward! ![]() Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVTImmediate Past President Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVT, is the Manager of Academic and Professional Affairs for Zoetis, Inc. where she is responsible for corporate engagement with the 34 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Caribbean. She
is also responsible for outreach to the veterinary profession through digital platforms. Prior to joining Zoetis, Garnetta was the Veterinary Technician Strategy Lead for Hill's Pet Nutrition for nine years, and before that,
an adjunct faculty member in the veterinary technology program at SUNY Ulster. A 2003 graduate of the veterinary technology program at SUNY Delhi, Garnetta has worked as an LVT in small and mixed-animal practice and shelter medicine.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (Syracuse University); a Master of Arts degree in International Relations (Rutgers University); and the professional Certificate in Online Education Instructional Design from
the University of Wisconsin-Madison. District Leadership |
6/13/2025An Important Message to Our Members & Supporters
1/26/2023Discontent with 'veterinary nurse' term spills into new arena
1/11/2023AMVA News
12/16/2022Where Did All the Vet Techs Go?
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