Joseph Burkett III, DVM
Kerrville,Texas
Summary
- Highly trained and experienced Veterinarian adept at managing all facets of TAHC Regulatory Programs at both the Administrative and Field Region Level.
- Punctual, dedicated, through work ethic focused on job accuracy and completion. Willingness to take and execute orders from superiors.
- Adept at establishing and maintaining superior producer relationships; the value of which, cannot be overstated.
- Adept at establishing and maintaining superior Veterinary Practitioner relationships; in particular where a Client Patient relationship exists involving a TAHC Regularity disease.
- Adept at establishing and maintaining staff relationships through precise communication both up and down the chain of command.
- Superior team building skills based on Chain of Command, Span of Control concepts at the TAHC Region level, with both Administrative and Inspector staff.
Overview
60
60
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Agency Veterinarian - AM, BV, LR &, SV Regions
Texas Animal Health Commission
Kerrville , Texas
2023.01 - 2024.01
- Administered Texas Animal Health Commission regulatory disease programs, consistent with Rules and Regulations at both the field and administrative levels in counties assigned to me in the Amarillo, Beeville, Laredo and, Stephenville Regions.
- In particular, focus was placed on Trichomoniasis epidemiological investigations dating back to 2019 to complete those investigations and submit them for Epi Review and Release.
- More recent Trichomoniasis epidemiological investigations that occurred during my tenure as Agency Veterinarian, were investigated, completed and released consistent with TAHC rules and regulations. Among others in Brewester and Pecos Counties, the Andrews County Trichomoniasis positive incidents were particularly challenging and included 3 Index Premises and multiple associated adjacent premises.
- Dedicated field work with premises owners and their veterinarians, educating them and, helping them to navigate the process required to successfully eliminate Trichomoniasis in their cattle herds resulted in Hold Order releases in all cases.
- Shortly before my departure from the TAHC, I was able to make significant progress with the Frying Pan Ranch, chronic Trichomoniasis positive indecent dating back to the early 2000s. The Frying Pan Ranch is a 300,000 acre plus property located in Loving and WInkler Counties in Texas and Lea and Eddy Counties in New Mexico. Collaborating with the Frying Pan Ranch owner, his veterinarian and New Mexico Livestock Board Field Veterinarian, a plan was adopted to mitigate the risk of Trichomoniasis infection in the index cattle herd and adjacent herds.
- Further, my involvement with the spread of CWD in all of the counties assigned to me was ongoing, assisting producers navigate Herd Plans to meet requirements for testing and release from Hold Order. Providing training for Post Mortem sample collection was also a significant part of my involvement.
- Lastly, I had involvement in some FAD associated diseases including VSV and Piroplasmosis, together with other regulatory diseases including EIA, Swine Brucellosis and Pseudorabies.
Field Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
Beeville , TX
2020.02 - 2023.12
- Full responsibility for all TAHC Regularity Diseases at the field level including:
- Managing the Jim Wells CFT circle with some 450 premises under quarantine, successfully overseeing the requisite inspections, ivermectin Corn feeding at the field level and maintaining administrative oversight of all logistics and TAHC inspectors associated with the circle. Ultimately having the Jim Wells CFT Circle reviewed for release and released in mid December of 2020.
- Assisting staff with something in excess of 1,000 CFT traces in the BV region. Working with inspectors and producers to meet requirements for quarantine releases via herd scratches inspections, treatments, dipping and/or permitting for movement.
- Managing multiple Trichomoniasis cases in the Beeville Region, successfully completing all requisite Epi investigations to their conclusion and release.
- Managing multiple EIA and Piro cases in the Beeville Region, successfully completing all requisite Epi investigations to their conclusion and release. Completing requisite testing to have the King Ranch Piro quarantine released.
- Managing multiple Swine Pseudorabies and Swine Brucellosis cases in the Beeville Region, successfully completing all requisite Epi investigations to their conclusion and release.
- Extensive involvement in CWD Positive Incidents, depopulation, Hold Orders, Quarantines, Herd Plans, the first Exotic Susceptible Species movement plan out of a Surveillance Zone, port mortem sample collection trainings, producer workshops.
- Extensive involvement in the CWD HCP program including, initial inspections, tri-annual inspections, annual inspections and in excess of 50 Herd Audits.
- Working with producers to navigate Herd Plans to meet requirements for release.
- Post mortem Brucellosis Sample collection for submission to NVSL associated with the King Ranch and Santa Fe East voluntary surveillance programs.
- Managing multiple FAD investigations for VSV, including Hold Orders, sample collection and submission.
Interim Beville Region Director
Texas Animal Health Commission
Beeville , TX
2019.10 - 2020.02
- Full responsibility for all TAHC Regularity Diseases at the Region level including:
- Reviewing all WFT and CAPPS entries for Admins and Supervising Inspector. Coordinating with administrative staff to complete entries and records for the TAHC Beeville Region.
- Overweening the management of the Jim Wells CFT circle with some 450 premises under quarantine, successfully overseeing the requisite inspections, ivermectin Corn feeding at the field level and maintaining administrative oversight of all logistics and TAHC inspectors associated with the circle.
- Overseeing and managing multiple Trichomoniasis cases in the Beeville Region, successfully completing all requisite Epi investigations to their conclusion and release.
- Overseeing and managing multiple EIA and Piro cases in the Beeville Region, successfully completing all requisite Epi investigations to their conclusion and release.
- Overseeing and managing multiple Swine Pseudorabies and Swine Brucellosis cases in the Beeville Region, successfully completing all requisite Epi investigations to their conclusion and release.
- Extensive involvement in CWD Positive Incidents, depopulation, Hold Orders, Quarantines, Herd Plans, port mortem sample collection trainings, producer workshops.
- Extensive involvement in the CWD HCP program including, initial inspections, tri-annual inspections and, annual inspections.
- Working with producers to navigate Herd Plans to meet requirements for release.
- Post mortem Brucellosis Sample collection for submission to NVSL associated with the King Ranch and Santa Fe East voluntary surveillance programs.
- Overseeing and managing multiple FAD investigations for VSV, including Hold Orders, sample collection and submission.
Field Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
Los Fresnos , Texas
2019.01 - 2019.09
- Subsequent to the Live Oak CFT Quarantine Circle, I was tasked to join Sub -supervisor Eli Benavidez in Cameron WIllacy Counties with the stated objectives: 1) to effect the separation of the TAHC and the CFTEP efforts into TAHC Willacy and CFTEP Cameron. 2) to establish a favorable and productive working relationship with the Atascosa National WIldlife Refuge with the objective of putting cattle on sections 5 & 8 for fever tick surveillance 3) to help the Port Mansfield Port Authority manage their annual deer harvest to control the White-tailed Deer population at Port Mansfield 4) to find a location and establish a new TAHC Office and Dipping Vat in Wilacy County..
- Joining with Mr. Benavidez, we bagan to formulate a plan of separation, re-allocating TAHC inspectors to Willacy County and collaborating with CFTEP to move their inspectors to Cameron County.. Within 90 days, the separation was effected and TAHC inspector duties were identified and assignments made.
- Concurrently, TAHC began to vacate the Los Fresnos CFTEP office and proceed with finding a location for a new TAHC Office site and space. At that point, all that TAHC had was a small office space at Port Mansfield. With the cooperation of Willacy County authorities, a new office location was identified and procured by Willacy County in the vicinity of Willamar, TX. Within short order the new TAHC office and dipping vat was established and the transition complete.
- I met with both the Port Mansfield Port Anthony manager and the Port Mansfield home owners association to address the annual deer harvest at Port Mansfield., then being handled by members of the Home Owners Association. After due consideration, I contacted the Texas Wildlife Association who manage the youth hunts state wide and asked if they might be interested in including Port Mansfield as one of their hunt areas. They were interested based on what i communicated to them.
- Subsequently, a meeting was held at the Port Authority Office in Raymondville with the Port Authority attorney and representatives in attendance, the Port Mansfield Home Owners Association representatives and, the Texas WIldlife Association representatives. After presentations and discussions by all parties concerned, it was decided to let the Texas Wildlife Association take the annual hunt over for their youth hunting program, with the understanding that the TAHC would be allowed to continuate their CFT surveillance, collecting tick samples for each deer harvested. In the end, this effort has been a happy marriage, all parties getting more than they bargained for and the Annual Youth Hunt there becoming the "Gold Star" youth hunt in the state.
- Shortly after I arrived in Los Fresnos, I made an appointment to meet with the Atascosa National WIldlife Refuge superintendent. The initial meeting with Mr.Boyd Blihovde, then superintendent was tense but he agreed to meet with the TAHC Staff, with his key personnel to talk about how we might work together. A breakfast meeting was held at Julia's Restaurant in Los Fresnos shortly there after. A candid grievance session ensued with both sides identifying issues that heretofore had precluded cooperation between the two agencies.
- The TAHC representatives tabled their desire to put cattle on Units 5 and 8 of the refuge. The Refuge management agreed to take it under consideration. In the end, an agreement was reached, a use permit negotiated and, the TAHC were able to put cattle on the Refuge for CFT surveillance A landmark event in the history of both agencies.
Field Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
Beeville , TX
2017.09 - 2019.12
- On the first day of my employment with the Texas Animal Health Commission on September 18, 2017, I was given a very brief introduction to policy and procedures, WFT and CAPPS by the then Beeville Region Director, Dr. Brodie Miller, concluding the session at noon.
- Dr. Miller then asked me to follow him to the Live Oak Dipping Vat at the Live Oak Auction Commission Co. in Live Oak county. This was the epi center of the Live Oak CFT Quarantine Circle. He introduced me to the staff, Vat Manager, inspectors etc., then handed me a print out of all things Fever Tick and told that I was now in charge of the Live Oak Cattle Fever Tick Quarantine Circle of some 400 plus Infested, Adjacent and, Check Quarantines. I was dumb found. We dipped cattle that night until 4 AM the next day.
- He told me that I shouldn't worry about keeping all of the inspections up to date, that inspections would always be behind and ornery non-compliant producers would be ain on going challenge.
- Under my direct control and supervision, were up to 19 Full Time and Full Time Temporary inspectors for which I was responsible for their WFT, CAPPS, supplies, the Live Oak Dipping Vat maintenance and supervision, producer and sale barn liaison, and general organization.
- Within days, I completely re-organized the effort, establishing a chain of command with Vat Crew, Inspector Groups, Corn Feeding Crew, Ivermectin Tub Crew, clearly defining the responsibility of each person, holding each accountable. We went to work with efficiency and purpose.
- The value of personal producer personal relationships cannot be overstated. As such, I begin to reach out to as many of the producers involved, to introduce them to their dedicated inspectors and, explain in detail the nature of the CFT Eradication Program, their individual involvement in it by the nature of their quarantine and, most importantly what my expectations were for thier compliance.
- Witing the first two months
Veterinary Private Practioner
Self Employed Services
Kerrville , TX
1973.10 - 2017.09
- Private Practice of Veterinary Medicine part time from September 1971 and full time 1973 until September 2017, when I began working for the Texas Animal Healt Commission
- Mixed Practice from fall of 1971 through July 1976 in El Paso Co., Texas and surrounding areas in New Mexico, Texas and, Mexico. My practice focused on the beef ranching community in those areas and included heard health management, compliance testing of beef herds under my care and, associated veterinary considerations to ensure the success of the individual ranchers (owners and/or managers) responsible for the beef cattle herds in their charge.
- Sale Barn Veterinarian at the El Paso Livestock Commission Co. from the fall of 1971 until the fall of 1975 where I was involved with a large volume of Interstate and International Compliance testing to facilitate Interstate and International Import/Export of livestock, primarily beef cattle. Dr. Alvis Belcher was the TAHC Area Veterinarian overseeing sale barn activities and compliance at that facility. Dr. H. Q. Sibley, was executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission in that era.
- In August 1976 I moved from El Paso Co., TX to my home in Gillespie Co, Texas and pursued a veterinary career associated with the then evolving wildlife industry, perfecting live capture techniques and wildlife husbandry. From this experience, I have extensive, knowledge and, experience associated with the State's wildlife producer community.
- Collateral to my Wildlife centered practice, I also maintained some involvement with domestic livestock and pet animal practice. in particular, i was involved in the import and export of small animals associated with my kennel, where I raised and kept pure bred hounds for over 50 years. I was awarded the prestigious "Breeder of the Year" by the American Kennel Ciub in 2020.
Managing Director
The "Best" Hunting Company
Kerrville , TX
1973.09 - 2006.11
- ! managed and oversaw all operations associated with an International Safari/Hunting Company on two continents, North America and Africa, and, four States in the US, including Alaska, Kansas, New Mexico and, Texas.
- Extensive experience associated with operation logistics and personnel management, based on a well defined chain of command structure, qualifies me for similar positions of approximately equal personnel and logistical composition.
- By comparison, the several Regions as established by the Texas Animal Health Commission are very similar in terms of number of personnel and logistical demands.
- Further, experience gained in dealing with the public from marketing our companies services to finally providing that service in the field, often in remote and hostile environments, is invaluable.
Capt. US Army Veterinary Corps
U.S. Army Active Duty
Ft. Bliss , TX
1971.09 - 1973.08
- Completed Officers Basic at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.
- Completed Meat Inspection School at Ft. Sheridan, Ill. and was assigned to Ft. Bliss, Texas as Chief of Clinics.
- My primary responsibility was to manage and oversee the full service veterinary clinic at Ft. Bliss with emphasis on zoonosis disease control; rabies being the central focus. In this regard I coordinated rabies control activities between Ft. Bliss, TX and Animal Control entities in El Paso County, TX and surrounding counties; Mexico (Juarez area); Donna Anna, Otero Counties in New Mexico.
- Further, I participated in the VEE USDA Emergency Surveillance program during the 1971 VEE epidemic. Secondary responsibilities included veterinary oversight for the Ft. Bliss Saddle Club, a 100 stall riding stable located on the post. And, veterinary care and oversight for the army mules at White Sands Missal Range & McGregor Range.
- In the spring of 1972, I was assigned TDY to Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, as Veterinarian in Charge of the U.S. Modern Pentathlon Team horses, some 40 head in number.
- Subsequently, I was again assigned TDY to Munich, Germany for the 1972 Olympics at the Equestrian Center, collaborating with Veterinarians from many different countries, providing veterinary care for the horses participating in all and all equestrian events.
- Additionally, I was charged with overseeing food inspection responsibilities for the Veterinary Food Inspection section in the absence of the post veterinarian, including trace forwards for contaminated foodstuffs distributed through the post commissary.
Laboratory Technician
TAMU; Dept. of Pathology; Wildlife Disease Researc
College Station , TX
1967.01 - 1972.08
- Responsibilities include maintenance and care of the experimental animal colony held for research associated with "Texas Fever" (Babesia bigemina related babesiosis) and Bovine Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma marginale related anaplasmosis).
- The experimental colony included Texas White-tailed Deer; Texas Desert Bighorn Sheep; Aoudad Sheep; domestic cattle; white rats and mice. Associated responsibilities were to collect blood samples from specific individual animals or groups of animals; prepare microscope slides from the blood samples, stain and "read" said slides and look for the presence of both Babesia bigemina and/or Anaplasma marginale organisms found on each slide, recording and reporting the results to my superiors.
- Assisted in surgical procedures (spleneectomys) associated with the experimental animal colony; assisted with the artificial infection of target animals with both Babesia bigemina and/or Anaplasma marginale organisms, then followed daily the progress of the diseases. Experimental infections were accomplished with both whole blood form know infected animals into target experimental host animals selected from the the experimental animal colony and by "natural" tick infection with fever ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus (formerly Boophilus microplus).
Peace Corps Volunteer - Heifer Project
United States Peace Corps
Cuenca , Azuay Porvince, Ecuador
1964.06 - 1966.06
- Trained as a Peace Corp Volunteer for Heifer Project Ecuador at Montana State University and CREFAL University, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico.
- After successfully completing training, I was, briefly assigned to duty station, in San Gabriel, Carchi Province; Ecuador in the Northern Ecuadorian Andes. I attached to the Agricultural Extension Service there, assisting with procuring and placing purebred breeding sires in the local Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goat, Beef and, Sheep cooperatives, with the improvement of local livestock bloodlines, bating the stated objective.
- Shortly after my tenure in San Gabriel, I was re-assigned to Cuenca, Ecuador in Azuay Province in the Southern Ecuadorian Andes, subsequent to a "Type A" Foot and Mouth outbreak having been identified in the Souther Ecuadorian Andes, There I joined the Sector 7 Veterinary team to assist with the Anti Foot and Mouth campaign. The Sector 7 Veterinarian team was under the direction of the Salud Pecuaria y Agricultura; Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería.
- There, I joined the Sector 7 Veterinary staff and assumed responsibilities as both co-director and field supervisor of the Anti Foot and Mouth campaign. The end objective was to establish a "buffer zone" between the Andean Orriente (source of the Foot and Mouth outbreak) in the Eastern Ecuadorian Andes and the Central Ecuadorian Andes from the southern border with Peru to northern border of Azuay Province, Ecuador.
- The anti-foot and mouth campaign was a containment protocol under the direction of the OIE, using vaccination to establish buffer zones to contain and eradicate FMD in the region. The vaccination campaign was a particular challenge, in that livestock was widely scattered throughout the remote areas of the High Andes associated with small villages and farms, mostly inaccessible by road. As such, much of the vaccination effort was on foot, using backpacks and pack animals to transport equipment and supplies. As often as not, vaccination teams ate on the economy and slept on the ground.
- I provided leadership and supervised logistical support to several Vaccination Teams, deployed out of the Sector 7, Salud Pecuaria office in Cuenca, to effect an efficient and through campaign to eradicate FMD. A critical component of my responsibility, was the harvesting of tissue and serum samples from actively diseased animals to be sent to the OIE Vaccine Laboratory in Guayaquil, Ecuador, that been established at the University of Guayaquil, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to produce a more FMD Strain Specific, FMD Type A, vaccine.
- The Anti Foot and Mouth campaign proved successful, the outbreak was contained and, FMD eradicated in the region. I then transferred to the OIE Laboratory in Guayaquil to join the staff there, to learn assist in the production of FMD Vaccine for distribution to other South American countries challenged with FMD outbreaks. Vaccine production was of both chick and duck embryo origin.
Education
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
College Station, TX1971-08
Skills
- Texas Veterinary License 3057. - Current; Expires June 2024
- TAHC/USD Accredited CWD Post Mortem Sample Collector
- Presented innumerable CWD Post Mortem Sample Collection Classes.
- TAHC/USDA-APHIS Accredited Cervid TB Single Cervical Veterinarian;
- USDA-APHIS Level II Accredited Veterinarian #043549; USDA Level 2 Account Access.
- USDA FADD Trained - Plum Island, NY
- USDA Field Skills Course - NVSL, Ames, Iowa
- USDA Mini FAD Course - NVSL, Ames, Iowa
- 42 Hours of Scenario Based FAD and Emerging Diseases Course; USDA Online Module.
- Basic computer skills associated with practice management, TAHC computer based communication, computer based Form Completion and, spreadsheet generation. C
- Competence with Microsoft Office platforms, including Microsoft Word, Excel and, Front Page 2002 web development and publication.
- Mastery of TPWD TWIMS Platform
- Minimal TAHC TexCore Skills
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Certification
- Texas Licensed Veterinarian - License #3057
- USDA Level II Accredited
- FADD Accredited
- Full Life Professional Hunter - International Professional Hunters Association
Affiliations
- Ranching
- Fly Fishing
- Bird Hunting/Wing Shooting
- Travel
References
- Dr. Steve Velasco - Kentucky State Veterinarian
- Dr. Brian Bohl - TAHC Director of Field Operations'
- Dr. Trey James - TAHC Southern Epi
Accomplishments
- American Kennel Club - Breeder of the Year 2020
- Author - "Trophy Game Records of Texas" - Published 1981
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Agency Veterinarian - AM, BV, LR &, SV Regions
Texas Animal Health Commission
2023.01 - 2024.01
Field Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
2020.02 - 2023.12
Interim Beville Region Director
Texas Animal Health Commission
2019.10 - 2020.02
Field Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
2019.01 - 2019.09
Field Veterinarian
Texas Animal Health Commission
2017.09 - 2019.12
Veterinary Private Practioner
Self Employed Services
1973.10 - 2017.09
Managing Director
The "Best" Hunting Company
1973.09 - 2006.11
Capt. US Army Veterinary Corps
U.S. Army Active Duty
1971.09 - 1973.08
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
- Texas Licensed Veterinarian - License #3057
- USDA Level II Accredited
- FADD Accredited
- Full Life Professional Hunter - International Professional Hunters Association
Laboratory Technician
TAMU; Dept. of Pathology; Wildlife Disease Researc
1967.01 - 1972.08
Peace Corps Volunteer - Heifer Project
United States Peace Corps
1964.06 - 1966.06
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