The American Association of Equine Practitioners recognized its longtime director of finance and operations on the verge of his retirement when presenting its 2015 Distinguished Service Award to Brad Mitchell.

The Distinguished Service Award honors exemplary service to the AAEP or a similar organization to the benefit of the horse, horse industry or profession of equine veterinary medicine. Mitchell was honored Dec. 8 during the President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 61^st Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

Mitchell joined the AAEP in 1993 and has been responsible for the finances of the association; planning and management of the AAEP’s continuing education meetings, including the annual convention; and maintenance and operations of the AAEP’s headquarters building. He will retire from the association during the first quarter of 2016.

His disciplined leadership has fostered greater efficiency within AAEP operations for the benefit of its membership, and he has provided wise counsel to seven treasurers during his tenure. Most recently, he oversaw construction of the AAEP’s new headquarters building, which opened in February at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Mitchell graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He resides in Paris, Ky., and has three adult daughters.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

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