Compana Pet Launches Technical Center of Excellence to Drive Growth

Press release: Compana Pet Brands

Compana Pet Brands, global leader in pet care and nutrition, is launching a Technical Center of Excellence as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to build new capabilities to drive transformational growth. Leading the team will be Micah Kohles, DVM, MPA, Compana’s newly appointed chief veterinary officer.

“As we continue to build Compana’s position as a global leader in pet care and nutrition, it is essential that we integrate technical expertise into all facets of our business,” said Dr. Kohles. “Our Technical Center of Excellence will expand our research capabilities to further ensure that every Compana Pet Brands product is formulated on a foundation of science and nutrition to support pet health and wellbeing.”

In addition to scientific research that involves identifying, vetting and communicating novel ingredients, applications and technologies, the Technical Center of Excellence will support accelerated innovation – a cornerstone of the company’s growth plan.

Compana’s Technical Center of Excellence is one of many initiatives championed by new CEO Greg Pearson, who joined Compana in January 2023.

“Innovation is a major growth engine for our company, and we must continue to focus our vast and global expertise and resources to attain and sustain best-in-class products for pets and their families,” said Pearson. “Expanding our talented technical team with our new chief veterinary officer Dr. Kohles at the helm will enable that growth.”

Dr. Kohles joined Compana in January 2022 when the company acquired Oxbow Animal Health, where he served as vice president of technical services and research.

Dr. Kohles owns and actively practices at Woodland Animal Hospital and serves as an adjunct professor appointment at the University of Nebraska School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Kohles is a frequent lecturer at veterinary schools and conferences domestically and internationally and has been chosen as speaker of the year for both VMX (Veterinary Meeting & Expo) and WVC (Western Veterinary Conference). He currently serves on the World Pet Association and Pet Advocacy Network board of directors and is also an active member of several professional organizations, including AVMA, AAV, NVMA, AAZV, ARAV and the AEMV (Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians), where he is a past president.

With roots dating back to 1842, Compana Pet Brands is a global leader in pet care and nutrition dedicated to enriching the lives of pets and their families. Based in St. Louis and employing approximately 700 passionate pet lovers around the world, the company manufactures and markets more than 20 household brands in dog and cat, backyard chicken, equine, small animal and indoor bird categories. Compana believes pets are an important part of the family and its broad portfolio of brands focuses on care and wellness solutions to improve the quality of life for pets of all shapes and sizes throughout their lifespans.