Continuing Education
May 9, 2023
We are TVMA and Certified Veterinary Assistant Program - Growing Your Team
DVMMatchSponsored by:
Troy Alexander, TVMA Executive Director and Larisa Respondek, CVA, Director of Credentialing
Troy Alexander
Mr. Alexander has been involved with Texas politics since 1989. He has served as staff for the Texas Legislature, worked as a senior executive in a state agency and with private associations. In 2022, he began to serve as the Executive Director for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, representing more than 5,400 veterinarians and veterinary professionals.
Previously, he served as Director of Legislative Affairs for Texas Medical Association. In this role, he developed political strategy and acted as a lead advocate on public health, ethics, privacy, health information technology, and tax issues. He served as a liaison for medicine on major issues like the Ebola crisis and during the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to TMA in late 2010 after previously serving there from 1999-2003 as Director of Political Education. In that capacity, he was responsible for TEXPAC, one of the largest political action committees in the nation.
Immediately prior to returning to TMA, Mr. Alexander served as the Director of the Center for Program Coordination, Policy and Innovation at the Texas Department of State Health Services. He led a staff of policy analysts and program specialists in tackling inter-agency implementation of initiatives such 2010 federal health care reform.
Previously, he served as Director of Legislative Affairs for Texas Medical Association. In this role, he developed political strategy and acted as a lead advocate on public health, ethics, privacy, health information technology, and tax issues. He served as a liaison for medicine on major issues like the Ebola crisis and during the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to TMA in late 2010 after previously serving there from 1999-2003 as Director of Political Education. In that capacity, he was responsible for TEXPAC, one of the largest political action committees in the nation.
Immediately prior to returning to TMA, Mr. Alexander served as the Director of the Center for Program Coordination, Policy and Innovation at the Texas Department of State Health Services. He led a staff of policy analysts and program specialists in tackling inter-agency implementation of initiatives such 2010 federal health care reform.
Prior to DSHS, he served as Senior Policy Analyst for Health and Human Services for the Texas Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tom Craddick. He played a significant role in the reorganization of Texas health and human service agencies and the reform of Child Protective Services. He was instrumental in passing landmark legislation overhauling the state liability system. He also assisted leadership in the launch of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. He was a part of the state response to numerous disasters including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike and infectious disease threats.
In the 1990s, Mr. Alexander served as the Director of Legislative and Public Affairs for the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, the largest medical specialty in Texas. His advocacy for rural health was recognized in 1995 as he was cited by the TAFP’s Rural Health Concerns Committee for exemplary efforts and honored in 1999 by the Texas Rural Health Association. In 2003, he was honored by the Texas Association of Community Health Centers as top legislative staffer.
Mr. Alexander was one of the lead advocates in the Smokeless Texas Coalition to pass the strongest minor’s access legislation in the nation in 1997. He was honored by the national Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids for his efforts on this issue.
Originally from Pasadena, Texas, he received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been a featured speaker at numerous state and national meetings on issues related to Texas health care policy, public health and association political strategy.
He is married to a practicing nurse and they have a 16 year old son and 13 year old daughter. Mr. Alexander has been extremely involved in global non-profits, and has previously lived in Eastern Europe. He has served on many boards, including the Texas Silver Haired Legislature Foundation Board of Directors, Refugee Services of Texas, Scofield Farms Residential Owners Association, and as a volunteer with Brentwood Christian School, Hope Medical Clinic, Buzz Theater Productions and Wells Branch Armada Swim Club.
Larisa Respondek
I started out as a kennel assistant during college and discovered that I wanted to learn more about the veterinary world. I volunteered at that clinic so I could learn blood draws, IV catheter placement, and anything else the lead tech would teach me. From there I started my climb up the veterinary assistant ladder, from room assistant, to surgery assistant, to specialty work. I have been a practice manager, inventory manager, IT, and everything in between. I was given the opportunity to become the Director of Credentialing for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association in 2017 and have loved this role ever since. Helping to make veterinary hospitals stronger in their team members and team support is a great feeling.
In my spare time, I like to travel and watch my kids play their favorite sports.