“Ken’s financial management expertise will facilitate continued company growth and fiscal responsibility,” said Dennis P. Drent, president and CEO of VPI. “Ken possesses the leadership qualities and professional skill set necessary to inspire and help carry out our vision to be the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers.”

Watkins’s responsibilities will include oversight of financial planning, accounting, treasury, actuarial, and financial analysis. Watkins will also serve as a resource to the entire company, managing financial staff and advising the CEO and executive management team.

Previous positions held by Watkins include chief financial officer/vice president of finance for PacifiCare Behavioral Health, chief financial officer for Universal Care, Inc., and manager of accounting, reporting and analysis for PepsiCo, Inc. Watkins began his career at Ernst & Young, LLP as an audit manager.

While at PacifiCare, Watkins managed a membership expansion program across an extensive multi-state network, resulting in a 30 percent increase in membership in less than three years. As chief financial officer for Universal Care, Watkins reorganized the accounting department of a company with 26 clinics, eight pharmacies and annual revenue of $500 million.

Watkins is an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Accounting with Distinction. His hobbies are reading, golfing, fitness, fine dining, vacations, and spending quality time with his wife and their two golden retrievers, Ruby and Rocky.