The American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery (AKC/CAR) announced today the appointment of Tom Sharp to the newly created position of Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Laura Bullock, who has worked as an Internal Auditor with the AKC, has been named Director of Operations, reporting to Sharp. In this role Bullock will be responsible for the oversight of AKC/CAR's daily operations. Tony Bacci, currently Director of AKC/CAR, will now assume the role of Director of Sales and Marketing, reporting to Tom Sharp.

• Tom Sharp joined the AKC over 11 years ago. Most recently he was the Assistant Vice President of the AKC's Compliance division, overseeing the DNA Operations, Case Management and Inspections and Investigations departments. Prior to this role Sharp was a Senior Consultant for AKC's Internal Consulting Group, and he has worked within AKC DNA Operations, being promoted from Manager to Assistant Director to Director. Sharp holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives in Cary, NC with his wife Ashley, and their two daughters and a Great Pyrenees.

• Laura Bullock has been with AKC for over two years as a Senior Internal Auditor. Before joining the AKC, she was a Compliance Manager for a financial company in Greenville, S.C. She holds an MBA from Clemson University and a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and is certified through the Institute of Internal Auditors. Bullock competes in AKC Rally and Conformation and is the owner of two Australian Shepherds and a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. She lives in Raleigh, N.C.