Ronald BrakkeAmerican Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
A native of Forestburg, South Dakota, Brakke earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1963 from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and served in the Army National Guard from 1963-71. He completed the Advanced Management Program in 1983 at the Harvard School of Business.
Brakke's career in animal health began with Sioux Nation's Veterinary Supply in Sioux Falls. He joined the over-the-counter division of Diamond Labs and moved to Oklahoma City. In 1966, Brakke joined Thuron Industries in Dallas, later renamed the Animal Health Division of Zoecon, where he was promoted to president in 1975.
Zoecon's revenues increased from $15 million to $125 million during Brakke's tenure as he guided the company toward becoming a leading supplier of insect control products for pets and livestock. He left Zoecon to start his consulting firm in 1986.
Brakke Consulting serves the CEOs, division leaders, managers, stockholders and investors of nearly every leading pharmaceutical, vaccine, and pet food company, and of many top animal nutrition suppliers, according to its website.
The company provides consulting, market research, and recruiting services along with support for business development and licensing transactions in the animal health industry.
In a July 31 email to subscribers of the "Brakke Consulting Animal Health News and Notes," Brakke president Robert Jones wrote that Brakke was proud of the animal health industry, which he supported and who in turn trusted him immensely.
"Ron knew a lot of people, helped a lot of companies solve problems and grow, helped place a lot of people in new positions in animal health companies and led many transactions for companies," Jones wrote.
"Under his leadership, Brakke Consulting has produced five landmark studies that helped the animal health industry. He wanted it to be a better industry," he added.
In addition to his wife Rebecca, Brakke is survived by his brother Allen (Jo) Brakke, daughters Rebecca Suzanne (Mick) Moore and Rachel (Matt) Holman and two grandchildren.
