Banfield Pet Hospital names new COO

The job of overseeing Banfield Pet Hospital’s transcontinental paw prints have been placed in the hands of a former executive of a hospice provider.

The Vancouver veterinary corporation on Monday named Jim Ashby its chief operating officer. Ashby reportedly brings a pedigree for “leading scalable growth in the health care industry,” it said in a prepared statement.

Ashby most recently led California-based CareMeridian, running rehab facilities for people with traumatic injuries and progressive diseases. He oversaw 34 nursing and rehab facilities with a staff of more than 1,400 people. Before that, he helped grow South Coast Rehabilitation Services from three California sites to 240 nationwide, Banfield executives said.

“Jim’s team-building and talent-development focus will strengthen our operations team as we continue to fulfill our purpose and extend our reach to get even more pets the care they deserve,” said President Brian Garish.

Banfield will offer a larger plate. Its 3,500 veterinarians staff more than 1,000 hospitals from the Pacific Northwest to Puerto Rico. Ashby will also lead real estate and construction decisions as the company builds or buys new facilities.

Ashby, a graduate of San Diego State University, is the second new executive Banfield has hired in a month. Jesper Frederiksen was named chief information officer in mid-October. Banfield had also parted ways with CEO Vincent Bradley in February.