Veterinarians and industry leaders were honored for their commitment and dedication to the U.S. swine industry at the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev.
AASV Names 2026 Meritorious Service Award Recipient
Dr. Clayton Johnson was named the 2026 recipient of the AASV Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding service to the AASV. Johnson’s commitment and service to the AASV are unparalleled, the organization says. During 2022-2025, he led the innovative AASV Early-Career Swine Veterinarian Development Program, an initiative designed to provide mentorship, communication and leadership training, giving early-career practitioners the tools they need to thrive. He has served for decades on AASV committees, including chairing the Student Recruitment Committee and chairing the Pharmaceutical and Biologics Committee, one of AASV’s most active committees. He delivered the 2025 Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture. Most recently, Johnson was elected the 2026 AASV Vice-President.
“I’m beyond grateful to receive the 2026 AASV Meritorious Service Award – to be recognized by peers, colleagues and my own mentors is a tremendous honor,” Johnson says. “The American Association of Swine Veterinarians has given so much to me personally, it’s always been my goal to give back as much as has been given to me and I take this award as a token of gratitude that I’m at least making strides in that direction. To be recognized as having contributed to the development of others is the highest compliment I’ve ever received – thank you again for this generosity and recognition.”
Originally from Griggsville, Ill., Johnson received his DVM from the University of Illinois in 2008. He credits his veterinary interest and entire career to the foundational knowledge in technical skills, relationship building and communication instilled by his veterinarian father. Johnson is the director of veterinary services at Carthage Veterinary Services in Carthage, Ill., where he is a globally recognized swine health expert. He leads a team of veterinary professionals and hosts “The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast” a weekly podcast series reaching a global audience of more than 100,000 listeners serving to distill complex swine health research into actionable insights.
AASV Foundation Awards Prestigious Heritage Award to Dr. Joe Connor
Dr. Joseph Connor received the AASV Foundation’s Heritage Award. He becomes only the seventh recipient of the award which recognizes individuals who have lifelong outstanding achievements in swine veterinary medicine. It is only awarded on an as-needed basis when a deserving individual has been nominated and selected. Awardees have demonstrated their eligibility through their membership in the AASV, service to the AASV, and service to the North American swine industry.
Connor founded Carthage Veterinary Service, LTD after purchasing the CVS practice in 1980. A leading swine veterinarian in the world, he considers it a privilege to be involved in the swine industry during a time of significant transformation and assisted producers domestically and globally undergoing transformations. He was recognized for his international efforts by being named the first honorary member of the Japanese Association of Swine in 2008.
A true leader in swine health, Connor has led the AASV for decades. After serving on the AASV Board of Directors, he was elected president of the association in 1988. He was a member and chair of the AASV Foundation Board. He continues to serve the association as a member of the Transboundary and Emerging Diseases Committee, and Foundation Investment Committee. Colleagues regard Connor as an icon in the swine industry and are grateful for his tremendous contributions and outstanding service to the AASV. The Carthage, Ill., native received his bachelor’s degree and DVM from the University of Illinois, and his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
“It has been a rewarding journey,” Connor says. “Our colleague, the late Dr. KT Wright, informed me in my first year in practice that to be a swine veterinarian you had to be an active member of AASV. His guidance was fortuitous as AASV has evolved into a diverse organization leading the industry transformation by incorporating programs that support both our profession and our industry. It is exciting to see it adapt and be involved in multiple segments of the industry. The strength of the organization is our members. It is a privilege to be a member.”
AASV Names 2026 Howard Dunne Memorial Award Recipient
Dr. Rick Sibbel received the AASV 2026 Howard Dunne Memorial Award for his important contributions and outstanding service to the association and the swine industry.
Sibbel was born and raised on a family farm in Butte, Neb. As the oldest of six children, he shared daily responsibility with his brothers and sisters for much of the farm animal work, including working at the family’s small livestock auction market. Around 12 years old, he decided that a veterinary career gave him the best chance to make a positive impact on people and agriculture. He went on to receive his BS from the University of Nebraska and DVM from Iowa State University.
After retiring from Merck Animal Health in 2018, Sibbel established Executive Veterinary & Health Solutions LLC, a consulting firm specializing in veterinary and human medicine interface (One Health) processes and programs, especially focused on food animal systems. He is the president and owner. During his transition from rural mixed private practice to the animal health industry in the mid-80’s, Sibbel began attending AASV annual meetings. There, he grew to cherish the people and interactions and the innovation and evolution in herd health. He became very active in leadership roles within AASV, the animal industry, and organized veterinary medicine, having served on numerous committees in both the AASV and American Veterinary Medical Association. He served as the AASV president in 2003.
“Accepting the Howard Dunne Memorial Award is a truly special moment for this veterinarian,” Sibbel says. “I’m accepting this award with humility and honor as I join the long list of veterinarians that have come before me. I am forever grateful for the many incredible people I have worked with in my veterinary and animal industry leadership roles.”
AASV Names Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award Recipient
Dr. Glen Almond was named the 2026 recipient of the AASV Outstanding Swine Academic of the Year Award to a member employed in academia who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and service to the swine veterinary profession. Almond is a professor of swine health and production management at North Carolina State University (NCSU). He has been on faculty since 1987 when he joined as a graduate research assistant. His research has focused on reproductive physiology, urogenital disease and interactions between disease and growth.
Perhaps his most impactful contribution during his time at NCSU is his commitment to swine-interested veterinary, graduate and undergraduate students world-wide. As coordinator of a senior swine medicine course, he has provided educational opportunities for students from twelve veterinary colleges and seven countries. Extremely generous of his time devoted to students, his open-door policy demonstrates his drive to help others succeed. As a mentor, he is highly supportive of students and continues to advocate for their success.
Dozens of current and former students who nominated Almond for this award credit their mentor as foundational in their careers. His ability to ignite excitement in his students has been carried into practice for decades. Almond’s commitment to students and education is evident in his service to AASV. For many years, he has been a member of the AASV Student Engagement and Collegiate Activities committees and has participated in the AASV Program Planning Committee at least seven times. He is the 2020 recipient of the AASV Howard Dunne Memorial Award.
“It is an incredible honor to receive this award,” Almond says. “It reflects on the amazing, positive attitude of my current and previous students, and the AASV as an organization. Without their support and commitment, I would have left the university system a long time ago. I do not measure my success by the number of publications, nor the number of funded grants: the success of my students has been my motivation. I always learn from the students. They are the future of our profession.”
