JAMES COOPER-ROMANO
Summary
Transformational operations leader with over 20 years of experience in the veterinary sector, including specialty referral and emergency hospitals. Drives sustainable growth by aligning operational execution with strategic priorities, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering collaboration among medical staff. Leads a $40 million veterinary region, cultivating high-performing teams and a culture that supports both employee and client satisfaction.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Manager
PETVET CARE CENTERS
01.2023 - Current
- Provide executive operational leadership across specialty referral, emergency, and companion animal hospitals representing approximately $40 million in annual revenue. Partner with executive leadership and Medical Directors to strengthen culture, operational performance, financial stewardship, physician partnership, and sustainable growth.
- Rebuilt hospital cultures by developing leadership, ensuring accountability, coaching teams, and maintaining transparent communication.
- Standardized operational processes and strengthened accountability across multiple hospitals.
- Directed budgeting, labor strategy, inventory management, recruitment, compliance, and operational planning to enhance overall hospital performance.
- Expanded hospital visibility through strategic marketing initiatives, networking, referral partnerships, and community engagement efforts.
- Mentored Hospital Managers and department leaders while building succession plans for future growth.
Hospital Manager
NORTHEAST VETERINARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL
01.2022 - Current
- Direct operations of a $12 million specialty referral and emergency hospital partnering with 17 veterinarians and leading more than 70 professionals across Emergency, ICU, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Rehabilitation, and Acupuncture.
- Enhanced financial performance through disciplined operations, optimized labor, and strategic resource allocation, leading to improved profitability.
- Managed approximately $1.87M annual payroll and $1.4M inventory.
- Fostered physician collaboration by developing operational partnerships and streamlining workflows, resulting in increased service quality.
- Cultivated an engaged workplace culture emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement, contributing to higher employee satisfaction.
MCX Training Store Manager / Store Manager
MICHAELS
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Led management training location emphasizing leadership development and operational excellence to enhance team capabilities and drive store profitability.
District Training Store Manager / Store Manager
CVS HEALTH
01.2005 - 01.2020
- Led district operations with an $8.6M budget and full P&L responsibility while mentoring future leaders and driving operational excellence.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Marylhurst University
Graduate Certificate - Human Resource Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
University of Scranton
Skills
- Veterinary Operations Leadership
- Emergency Medicine
- Specialty Referral Hospitals
- General Practice
- Multi-Site Operations
- Operational Strategy
- P&L Management
- Budget management
- Financial Stewardship
- Strategic Planning
- Operations management
- Operational leadership
- Process Improvement
- Inventory control
- Regulatory compliance
- Business Development
- Veterinary Collaboration
- Recruiting
- Team Motivation
- Leadership Development
- Employee development
- Operational Excellence
- Stakeholder Engagement
Operational Impact
- Organizational Leadership: Provide strategic operational leadership across specialty referral, emergency, and companion animal hospitals representing approximately $40 million in annual revenue while supporting more than 100 veterinary professionals.
- Organizational Transformation: Rebuilt underperforming hospital cultures through accountability, transparency, coaching, and leadership development, reducing employee turnover by 75% while strengthening engagement and retention.
- Financial Stewardship: Strengthened financial performance through disciplined labor management, operational optimization, revenue cycle improvements, and business development that contributed to sustained revenue growth, improved EBITDA, lower payroll costs, and significantly reduced accounts receivable.
- Leadership Development: Recruited, mentored, and developed more than 80 veterinary professionals, including 9 veterinarians, 30 technicians, 20 assistants, 20 CSRs, and multiple hospital leaders.
- Specialty Leadership: Directed operations of a $12M 24/7 specialty referral hospital with 17 veterinarians, 70+ employees, 75–100 daily cases, and seven specialty departments.
Timeline
Area Manager
PETVET CARE CENTERS
01.2023 - Current
Hospital Manager
NORTHEAST VETERINARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL
01.2022 - Current
MCX Training Store Manager / Store Manager
MICHAELS
01.2020 - 01.2022
District Training Store Manager / Store Manager
CVS HEALTH
01.2005 - 01.2020
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Marylhurst University
Graduate Certificate - Human Resource Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
University of Scranton