Animal health industry executive with international experience joins K-State Olathe

Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017

Paul CasadyOLATHE — Paul Casady is joining Kansas State University's Olathe campus as the executive in residence professor of practice for animal health.

Casady brings 35 years of industry experience to elevate animal health activities at K-State Olathe and Kansas State University. He will divide his time between outreach, service, teaching and research. Part of his duties include increasing
K-State Olathe's visibility in the animal health industry with companies both in the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor and across the U.S. Through the development of education programs with faculty at both the Olathe and Manhattan campuses, Kansas State University will work to provide academic support for talent and workforce development. The programs also will develop research into the animal health industry in line with the stated goal of Kansas State University becoming a Top 50 public research institution by 2025.

Casady also will teach courses to graduate students and employees in professional development workshops and educational seminars.

Additionally, Casady will serve as a liaison to K-State Olathe's faculty and programs for animal health companies located both in the region and nationally.

"With his years of experience as an executive in the animal health industry, Paul brings a unique perspective that will provide guidance on how the university can better engage with animal health companies and create programs that they will support," said Ralph Richardson, dean and CEO of K-State Olathe. "With that, he will help lead an animal health business development effort that will complement K-State Olathe's course work and other engagement activities. Paul is a loyal
K-State alumnus and I am delighted to welcome him to our family at K-State Olathe."

Casady brings a wealth of international experience to the position.

Prior to joining K-State Olathe, Casady served as vice president of business operations in Latin America and the Pacific region at the animal health company Merial (Sanofi). While there, he delivered strong top line growth over four years, resulting in significant market share development; reshaped the region's team and organization to spur growth and cultural change; restructured and delivered a new strategic direction from the region to key countries; helped with the development of new employee positions; led successful product launches; and more. He also served as a member of Merial's global management leadership team.

Casady also held multiple positions in a 20-year career at Merck Animal Health (Schering-Plough Corporation, Intervet Inc.), including serving as vice president and general manager of the U.S. division and a member of the global management leadership team; vice president of the North American division; and area director of the Americas region. He also held positions as managing director, general manager in the U.K.; managing director, general manager of Australia; area manager for the Asia and Pacific region; and national sales manager for the U.S. During his career, Casady and his family lived overseas for 10 years.

"I am excited to return to my alma matter and help guide K-State Olathe in developing the next generation of leaders in the animal health industry," Casady said. "There is a huge need in the animal health industry for increased talent and leadership, particularly as this $30 billion industry continues to grow and is projected to become up to a $60 billion industry in the next 20-30 years. Running businesses at that level requires a different type of talent, and K-State Olathe can help develop it. We believe that no other current academic institution has made this commitment of resources to develop programs and curriculum specifically for those involved in the animal health industry."

Casady previously served on the board of directors for the Animal Health Institute and the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor. He is a member of the Governor's Task Force for the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF.

Casady earned his bachelor's degree in animal science and industry from Kansas State University. After receiving his degree, Casady completed several professional education experiences, including a strategic marketing position at the University of Virginia; sales management at Columbia University; finance for non-finance managers at the University of Virginia and the advanced management program at INSEAD in Fonainebleau, France.