North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians
Meet the NCAVT Executive Board
The Executive Board oversees all activities of the Association and manages its business and financial affairs.
President: Kim Lewis, BS, RVTg
Kim graduated from Central Community College in 1997 and became a registered technician that same year. She began her career in private practice in Wilmington, NC. While in private practice, she began working part-time with Wilmington Animal Emergency Clinic and soon developed a larger interest in specialty medicine and turned her obligations to emergency medicine. In 2004, Kim began working for Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral (a surgical practice) which soon after bought Wilmington Animal Emergency Clinic. She helped both practices grow in management, quality control, education, and training. In 2017, Kim followed her passion for teaching and began helping establish Cape Fear Community College’s veterinary medical technology program. She is currently a full-time instructor with CFCC encouraging and strengthening the growth of our profession.
As for her personal life, Kim has a small farm of horses, chickens, goats, dogs, cats, an angry goose, a duck, a large sulcata tortoise, a bearded dragon, a hedgehog, and a green cheek conure. On the days the farm animals are NOT plotting her demise, she enjoys the farm life with her partner and her two teenage children.
Kim has been an active member of the NCAVT in many positions over the past 10+ years. She is an excited advocate for the growth NCAVT is undertaking and the positive leadership this organization is pursuing for the RVT’s of NC!
Vice President: Nicolette McNeely, RVT
Nicolette McNeely graduated from Central Carolina Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology in 2001 and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from NCSU.
She began her career as a RVT in exotic animal medicine, then worked for many years in small animal emergency and specialty medicine. This lead to a teaching opportunity in a veterinary technology program where she eventually became the program director. Currently, she is the Training and Operations Specialist for Emergency and Referral Services at Vets Pets.
Nicolette has been working with the NCAVT Board since 2018 and enjoys contributing to the advancement of the profession and to the growth of fellow veterinary technicians. Nicolette was born in Montreal, Canada and is married to a Raleigh native. She has 2 children, 1 beagle, 1 special needs Quaker Parrot, and 6 chickens. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and pets.
Secretary (Interim): Shannon Nowak, BS, LVT, RVT
Shannon is a native of Michigan who calls North Carolina home. Since becoming credentialed over 19 years ago, she has worked exclusively in specialty practices in services such as: emergency, critical care, internal medicine, surgery, and anesthesia (among others). Shannon thrives on learning and teaching others, and she has held several positions professionally which have allowed her to do so.
Shannon is a Fear Free Certified Veterinary Professional, as well as a member of many veterinary organizations. She is currently the VP of Education for The Bridge Club. Shannon graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Michigan State University, and is currently credentialed in both Michigan (LVT) and North Carolina (RVT).
In her spare time she can be found volunteering for several pet rescue organizations, hiking with her dog, reading, crafting, or practicing yoga. She lives in High Point with her husband and all their fur- and scaly-kids.
Treasurer: Maureen Susi, RVT
Maureen earned her Associates Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College in 2014. She is currently working a small animal practice in Greensboro. Prior to a career change in 2011, Maureen used her financial background to hold various positions within Volvo Financial Services. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, husband Chris and daughter Emma, while kayaking, golfing and hiking.
Her four-legged family members include; Sophie, an 15-year-old Malti-poo, Jiffy, an 6 year-old orange tabby, Qtip and Mel 4 year-old Siamese mixes, and finally the queen of the household, Casserole, a 2 year-old New Zealand White free roam rabbit.
Public Relations Coordinator: Krystina Phillips, BSVT, RVTg, VTS (Ophthalmology)
Krystina graduated with her Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College in 2012 and became an RVT that same year. She completed her bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology at Appalachian State University in 2024. She is now pursuing her Masters degree in Veterinary Clinical Care at Lincoln Memorial University.
After 2 years in general practice, she moved to Animal Eye Care, where she found her love for veterinary ophthalmology. In 2022, she obtained her VTS in Ophthalmology and now works as Lead RVT. She is also the President-Elect for the Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians and a certified RECOVER Rescuer. Outside of ophthalmology, she also enjoys learning about clinical pathology, anesthesia, dentistry, and emergency medicine, as well as teaching and training others.
In her free time, Krystina enjoys working and relaxing on her farm with her many animals, including 4 dogs (Pickles, Pretzel, Chloe, and Penelope), 2 cats (Purrito and Nacho), 5 goats (Duncan, Delilah, Gizmo, Dani and Daphne), and a very special sheep (Rudy). She is also known as the chicken lady and has too many chickens to possibly name them all here. Krystina also enjoys gardening, crafting, snowboarding, and trips to the beach.
NCVMB Representative: Robin Lazaro, RVT, VTS (ECC)
Robin is a 1987 graduate from SUNY Delhi, she then completed an externship at Cornell University where her love of ICU developed. She and her husband made the big jump to move south when she accepted a position at NCSU as an ICU Technician in 1990. She has been with ICU ever since, over 20 years as a tech and currently supervising the ICU for the past 6 years. She obtained her VTS in ECC in 2006 and speaks nationally at veterinary conferences.
She is married with one daughter in grad school and engaged to be wed later this year. In her spare time, she is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and enjoys the challenge of raising free range chickens and maintaining a functional garden in the same space. She also has a cat, Dinah, a dog Sadie and a koi pond and yes the fish and chickens all have names.
Education Coordinator: Carrie Fellows, MVCC, RVT
Carrie Fellows embarked on her journey in small animal veterinary medicine in 2001. Initially serving as a veterinary assistant, she pursued further education, earning her Veterinary Technology degree from Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina, in December 2007, achieving a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology and Biology.
Post-graduation, Carrie joined a small animal emergency and specialty hospital in Raleigh, NC, where she acquired her RVT credentials in 2009. In 2011, she contributed to the establishment of a veterinary technology program, ultimately ascending to the role of Program Director. Joining Vets Pets in 2018, she has consistently honed her leadership skills within the organization and her profession.
In December 2023, Carrie achieved another milestone by graduating with a Master of Veterinary Clinical Care from Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Presently, she serves as the Director of Training and Development for Vets Pets, continuing to make significant contributions to her field.
Fundraising Coordinator: Susan Bray, RVT
Susan had a long career in corporate life with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from the University of a Florida and a Master’s Degree in Communications Management and challenging work with consumer and biotech companies. In her mid-life years, she sought a change to follow her passion and enrolled in tech school becoming “the world’s oldest new tech.”
She has found a fantastic team with Mobile Laser Veterinary Services, doing dentals and surgeries and the gamut of wellness and sick animal visits. She is particularly interested in client education. In her spare time she fosters for the Wake County Animal Shelter, volunteers with Operation Catnip surgeries each month, and answers her neighbor’s endless questions about their pets.
NAVTA Representative: Lauren Poston, RVT
Lauren Poston graduated from Central Carolina Community College in 2000 with her Associates Degree in Veterinary Medical Technology, and became a Registered Veterinary Technician that same year. She began her career in private practices and emergency medicine in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. After a few years as a stay at home mom, she returned to private practice in Salisbury and has been at the same practice for 12 years. During that time she has earned certification in her two favorite subjects, Abdominal Ultrasound and Cat Friendly. In 2022 she returned to the world of academia and began working on her Bachelor of Science degree at Appalachian State University.
She is looking forward to this next chapter, serving as a board member at large, for the future of credentialed technicians in North Carolina.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and son. They love North Carolina and all it has to offer whether it is taking in the sun at the coast, venturing to the mountains for fresh mountain air, or exploring small towns and shopping local. They are also the private staff for 3 cats in the home, Skippyjon, Juju Bee and Jezebel.
Members At Large
The Members at Large serve as a liaison between the members and the Board of Directors. They are our eyes and ears throughout the state, keeping us informed on our member's overall issues, needs, and interests.
Member at Large Eastern Region: Brandi Rousseau, RVT
Brandi is an RVT with a deep passion for emergency and critical care. Her journey in veterinary medicine began in 2012 when she became a Certified Veterinary Technician Assistant. After years of hands-on experience in small animal general practice and emergency medicine, she earned her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology from Cape Fear Community College in 2023 and became an RVT in 2024.
Currently, Brandi works in the Critical Care Department at Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral, where she thrives on the fast pace and complexity of emergency cases. She is equally passionate about mentoring and training, helping to shape the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Brandi moved to Wilmington, NC, in 2016 with her husband, Jeff. Together, they share their home with an eclectic animal family: Daisy May, a 14-year-old Coonhound; Stella, a 12-year-old Great Dane mix; Grady and Keys, their domestic shorthaired cats; Starlord, a Ball Python; geckos Randall and Temperance; two tarantulas; and a lively flock of chickens. Their dream is to one day have land and expand their animal family even more.
Outside of work, Brandi finds joy in the great outdoors—especially being on the water—caring for her plants, doing macrame, and working on cars with Jeff. As a proud member of the NCAVT, she is dedicated to promoting growth and positive change within the profession throughout the state.
Member at Large Western Region: Amanda R., BS, RVTg
Amanda was born and raised in central Mississippi, and now resides in Asheville. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Medical Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Amanda’s 15 years of veterinary experience includes small animal general practice, emergency and critical care, specialty medicine, laboratory animal medicine, exotic care, and academia. Her primary professional interests are anesthesiology, end-of-life care, and dentistry.
Outside of work, Amanda is passionate about flat track roller derby and has been involved with the sport for over a decade. When she’s not skating or hitting the gym, Amanda enjoys video games, DIY projects, film, and music.
Member at Large Central Region: Position Open!