TICA President Presents Plans for Future

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The International Cat Association’s (TICA) new president and CEO, Vickie Fisher, is laying out her goals for the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed and household cats.

Fisher has vowed to take TICA “Back to the Future” by building a strong business structure to deliver great service and support as the association grows, promote cats and the fancy through outreach activities to attract new breeders and exhibitors, support and respond to the needs of members worldwide, and promote the motto “Adopt OR Shop, TICA has a place for you.”

Fisher, who was voted in to office by 7,700 members in 104 different countries and officially took over duties in January, previously served as president and CEO of TICA from 2009 to 2014. While in office she achieved numerous financial successes for the association, including refining a financial reporting and budgeting system, implementing operational cost savings, integrating TICA into the multi-billion dollar pet industry, and achieving nonprofit status for TICA, which resulted in an immediate refund in excess of $70,000.

She also created numerous business opportunities for TICA, including creating the association’s first business plan and marketing strategy, introducing online business services, implementing online voting and developing TICA’s social media presence, all of which resulted in worldwide growth for the association.

Over the past three years, Fisher has remained active in TICA, including serving as treasurer, all breed judge and show manager. Since leaving office she has created two kids coloring books that teach respect and how to properly care for cats, one of which was recently translated and printed in Spanish, and directed production of TICA’s first cat breed poster. She has also remained active in TICA’s Marketing Committee where she authored a strategic plan, represented TICA with pivotal corporate partners, was instrumental in TICA’s participation in the American Association of Feline Practitioner and Veterinary Conferences and directed the Association’s return to AKC’s Meet the Breeds.

Over the past 16 years, Fisher has served as president of the Albuquerque Kennel Kompadres, a nonprofit that works with the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. She has been responsible for raising funds to support the programs of the shelter and better the “shelter life” for the city’s homeless animals. As a result of her hard work and dedication, last year she was the recipient of the Albuquerque Mayor’s Good Samaritan Award.

She has also served on the Winn Feline Foundation Board of Directors as Treasurer for the past five years and has helped fund millions of dollars toward significant feline health research studies.

Prior to her extensive work volunteering, Fisher served as deputy chief administrative officer for the City of Albuquerque for eight years and was responsible for budget, finance, strategic planning and the city’s enterprise departments. She also served as Bernalillo County manager and cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. Fisher served for 10 years on the Presbyterian Healthcare Services Board, where she chaired the Compliance and Audit Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee.

Fisher holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University and is a retired certified public accountant. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband, Larry, and Maine Coon cats Callejero, Pink Floyd and Scottie. She frequently travels the world, both judging cats and educating people about the wonders of cats as companion animals and how to properly care for them.