SANFORD - The North Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians has elected Jonathan Loftis, Central Carolina Community College veterinary medical technology instructor, as its 2010 president. 

"It is with great pride that I step into the role of president of the NCAVT," Loftis said.  "It is my goal, this year, to increase the membership numbers as much as possible.  It is through getting others active in the association that we are able to advance our profession."

The Cameron resident has been a member of the NCAVT since 2002 and served as the 2009 president-elect. The installation to the presidency took place at the organization's March 13 Spring Conference at N.C. State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

The NCAVT is a statewide professional organization of more than 100 veterinary technicians dedicated to maintaining high professional standards for training as well as informing the public abut the work they do.

Loftis received his Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina in 2001 and worked for N. C. State University's Large Animal Hospital for several years. He returned to the college in 2003 as a VMT instructor and the Animal Facility manager. 

In 2008, Loftis was chosen by his peers at the college as the Operational and Support Staff Employee of the Year. 

Born in Greensboro, Loftis has lived in various locations around the state, as well as two years in Alaska. He is married to Kelley Loftis, assistant director for Technical Services at the Southern Pines Library. The couple shares their home with three dogs, six cats, one rabbit, two fish, and three fire-bellied toads. 

Loftis succeeds 2009 president Amanda Dillard, who is serving as the 2010 president-elect. Dillard, of Randleman, graduated from Central Carolina C.C.'s VMT program in 2001. She is the head ICU technician at Carolina Veterinary Specialists, in Greensboro.  

Other Central Carolina Community College VMT graduates serving on the 11-member board are: treasurer Gail Harrell, of Wilson, class of 1975; public relations/historian Jennah Bosch, of Wilmington, class of 1999; information officer Janice Moseley, of Fayetteville, class of 1975; education officer Beckie Dunn, of Wilmington, class of 2007; NAVTA representative Anne Myers, of Apex, class of 1985; and recruitment and retention officer Heather Sidari, of Raleigh, class of 2007.

Also serving on the board are vice president Sandi Portilla, of Burlington, a 2000 graduate of Gaston College's vet tech program, and secretary Jeannie Losey, Raleigh, a 1998 Pierce College graduate. 

At the conference, the organization presented its Community Service Award to Berryman Hill, a second year VMT student at Central Carolina C.C. and a NCAVT member. Hill, a Cary resident, was honored for volunteering a large amount of his time to tutor other students and helping instructors. He also volunteers at several animal adoption agencies in the Wake County area, working to place animals into permanent, loving homes.