Our Leadership Team
Frank Batten, DVM
Owner
Dr. Batten co-founded Vets Pets in 2007 and remains engaged in the Company’s strategy and development.
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He oversees and advises the management team on medical, operational and development decisions. Dr. Batten started his veterinary career in Southern Pines at Maple Lawn Animal Clinic in 1972. In 1975 he moved to Wilson, NC and founded Wilson Veterinary Hospital. In 1983, he founded Nash County Animal Hospital and in 2006 he started a referral veterinary emergency hospital in Wilson, NC (ECVETS). Dr. Batten graduated from University of Georgia Veterinary School in 1972.
Steve Thomas
President & CEO
Steve co-founded Vets Pets and serves as its President and CEO. Prior to starting Vets Pets, Steve worked in Finance at Bank of America Securities and Aon Plc.
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He received a BBA in Management from The University of Georgia and an MBA in Finance from Wake Forest University. Steve serves on the Board of Directors of the Wilson Family YMCA and lives in Wilson, NC with his wife, son, daughter and two dogs.
Paige Harrington, DVM
Vice President of Medical Leadership
Dr. Harrington has worked with the Vets Pets since February 2014. She has served as Vice President of Medical Leadership since January 2016.
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Dr. Harrington was raised in New York with strong family ties to Eastern NC. She spent all her childhood vacations and summers between Wilson and Emerald Isle. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from NC State in 1999, and shortly thereafter earned her DVM from NCSU-CVM in 2004.
Dr. Harrington completed a small animal emergency medicine internship in Mount Pleasant, SC, in 2004 before becoming an associate in 2005. She then moved to Wilmington, NC, in late 2005. Dr. Harrington worked at an emergency-specialty hospital in Wilmington until 2012. During that time, she also worked part-time at a high volume general practice.
In 2012, Dr. Harrington and her family moved to Greenville, NC, where she continued her interest in emergency medicine at the Pet Emergency Clinic. This hospital became part to the Vets Pets family in February 2014. Dr. Harrington continues to work there today during her clinical rotations. Dr. Harrington enjoys critical care, wound management and soft tissue surgery. She currently lives in Greenville with her husband, two children, and two cats.
Shannon Bass, DVM, CVA
Vice President of Medical Leadership
Dr. Shannon Bass joined Vet Pets in 2023 and serves as Vice President of Medical Leadership.
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Dr. Bass supports our general practices, emergency hospitals, and a specialty hospital in the development of leadership and excellent communication.
Dr. Bass is a native Texan who attended Texas A&M University for undergraduate and veterinary school. After graduating with her DVM in 1998, she moved to North Carolina, where she worked as a general practice veterinarian, emergency veterinarian, medical director of a 24-hour emergency and specialty practice, and veterinary recruiter. She became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2010.
Organized veterinary medicine is something Dr. Bass is passionate about. She enjoys serving as the President Elect of the NCVMA and co-chairs a VECCS committee working on an Emergency Medicine Certificate for veterinary students.
Outside of work, Dr. Bass enjoys traveling with her husband, two sons, and three-legged Labrador mix. She is an endurance athlete, yoga instructor, and adventurous cook.
Kendra Pearson, MSHR, SHRM-SCP
Vice President of People
Kendra is passionate about Vets Pets thriving as the employer of choice for veterinary professionals.
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She joined the organization in 2016 and leads our HR, training, and operations teams. She is committed to developing others to reach their full potential and to supporting the delivery of the best quality of care and exceptional customer service.
Kendra has been in the HR industry since 2004, and her experience includes recruitment, employee relations, policy development, compensation, benefits, payroll, and training. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Mary Washington and her Master’s in Human Resources through Western Carolina University. She lives in Middlesex, NC with her husband and their cat and three dogs, all of whom are rescue pets.
Blair Myers
Vice President of Finance and Accounting
Blair joined Vets Pets in 2019 as Controller overseeing all accounting and finance functions.
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Blair graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Business Administration in 2006 and Master of Accountancy in 2007. Prior to joining Vets Pets, Blair gained valuable experience and knowledge in accounting while working at Deloitte, Lowe’s Home Improvement, and Bosch Packaging Services.
Blair grew up in Wilson, NC and is excited to join Vets Pets in this exciting and thriving time for the company. She currently lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and two sons.
Matt Mumpower
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Matt joined Vets Pets in 2020, overseeing all marketing and communications functions.
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Matt is passionate about building Vets Pets as a brand, sharing our culture, and impacting our communities.
Before joining Vets Pets, Matt spent a decade in strategic marketing for technology, healthcare, and training organizations. More recently, he was the Director of Marketing for a multi-site healthcare group.
Matt grew up in Asheville, NC, and enjoys hiking, lifting weights, and golfing. He currently lives in Apex, NC, with his wife, son, daughter, and two dogs.
