The American Veterinary Medical Association will no longer require that both its top executive and second-in-command be members of the profession—a change coming as the organization searches for a new leader.

The AMVA House of Delegates voted for the change in bylaws at the association's annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, AMVA Journal reported. The organization previously required both its executive vice president and assistant executive vice president to be vets. Now either can be a non-vet as long as the other is a vet.

The association is searching for a replacement for EVP Ron DeHaven, who is planning to retire sometime later this year. The requirement that the top executive must be a veterinarian has limited the number of candidates for the job, although one delegate with knowledge of the search process told AMVA Journal the group still received highly-qualified candidates.

AMVA delegates debated whether the top executive's position as a public figure meant the job should continue going to vets, given the person is often required to comment on veterinary issues, according to the Journal. Some said the assistant EVP position should probably go to a non-vet when it is next open. The job is currently held by Elizabeth Curry-Gavin.

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association proposed the amendment to the bylaws, noting there was no lack of experience in the profession among the association's elected leadership. AMVA's board presidents, officers and district directors are all required to be vets. http://bit.ly/2aLKLI5

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