2017/09/14 - Career

Virbac appoints Sophie Favini as executive vice-president of US commercial operations

Sophie-Favini-1.jpgVirbac announces the appointment of Sophie Favini as executive vice-president of US commercial operations. Based in Fort-Worth (Texas), she is effective in her role since July 13, 2017. Sophie Favini is now in charge of leading, developing and overseeing all US Sales, Marketing and Technical Services functions in order to increase the business activity of the subsidiary.
Virbac also announces the appointment of Colin Meyers as vice-president of sales. These two appointments will help Virbac achieve a sustainable growth in the US. 

Sophie Favini has the responsibility to analyze, plan, organize, direct and provide leadership of brand management, product line management, sales policies, customer and partner relationship management. Furthermore, she will supervise commercial operations employees. Sophie is also tasked with leveraging her digital expertise and success from the French subsidiary and setting up similar programs in Virbac US. As executive vice-president, Sophie Favini manages 170 employees. She will be now a member of the North American Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Sophie Favini directly reports to Paul R. Hays, president & CEO Virbac North America, who says:
“I’m pleased to welcome Sophie to North America, and more especially to our subsidiary. Her 30 years at Virbac give her an invaluable knowledge of the company, our ambitions, our values and our products. Furthermore, her different leadership experiences within our European subsidiaries will help her to effectively lead our US commercial operations. Her skills will be essential to reinforce our leadership in this market.” 

Virbac also appoints Colin Meyers as vice-president of Sales reporting to Sophie Favini. He is responsible for leading the US Sales organization and for achieving defined objectives. He is effective in his role since June 1st, 2017.

This new US governance will support Virbac’s ambition to revive profitable and sustainable growth in North America. Thus, the appointment of these two commercial leaders at Virbac US should enable the company to resume its market leadership.

Sophie Favini has over 30 years of experience in the animal health industry, entirely at Virbac, with roles of increasing responsibility. She started in December 1985 in marketing, then sales, followed by leading the Corporate Communications department. She then assumed the leadership of Virbac Italy, then managed the group activity in Greece, Spain and Portugal as regional director for Southern Europe. Over the last five years, she was based in Carros as General Manager of Virbac France. Sophie Favini graduated from the business school ESCP Europe.  

Colin Meyers, a US citizen, has a strong knowledge of sales and marketing fields. He started his career at Dekalb Swine Breeders. He then worked for sales and later marketing at Alpharma. He joined the marketing department of Novartis Animal Health for the US market. Since 2004, he has occupied several key positions in Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., some in the Pet Business unit, other for the US Cattle Business Unit. Since 2012, he successfully managed the US Pet Business Unit, comprised of 230 employees, improving the growth trajectory and the overall image of the division. Colin Meyers graduated from South Dakota State University with a BS in Animal Science.