Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Velasco has served as Kentucky’s State Veterinarian since July 2023. As State Veterinarian, he has served as the Executive Director of the Office of State Veterinarian, has oversight of all functions of the Office of State Veterinarian, ensured that statutes and regulations are enforced properly, has participated on the Commissioner of Agriculture’s executive team, has advised the Commissioner on issues involving animal health and other issues as requested, has testified to legislative committees as requested, has served as a liaison to livestock and poultry organizations and leaders, and has represented Kentucky with the United States Animal Health Association, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, Southern Animal Health Association, and other animal health organizations. Previously, he served as a regional director at the Texas Animal Health Commission from February 2020 to June 2023. In this role, he managed and directed regulatory programs and supervised full-time field and office staff. The role also required him to perform fieldwork as necessary; manage regional emergency disaster requirements; and conduct outreach and educational programs for producers and the public, among other duties. Dr. Velasco, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, grew up participating in 4-H horsemanship and competing in high school rodeo. Upon graduation, Dr. Velasco attended The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, followed by a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin. He later attended Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with an emphasis in large animals. Dr. Velasco spent the first six years of his career as a racetrack veterinarian in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. In 2000, Dr. Velasco returned to South Texas, where he spent the next 20 years at a large animal ambulatory practice, while also working in the equine sports medicine and stocker cattle industries, supporting 4-H and FFA programs, and providing veterinary services for wildlife.