American Pet Products Association Announces New Board Member & Positions

STAMFORD, CONN. (May 1, 2025) – The American Pet Products Association (APPA), the leading pet trade association, has announced new board positions and a new board member for 2025. Todd Regan, General Manager, Central Specialty Pet at Central Garden & Pet, has been named the new chair. CEO of JoJo Modern Pets, Savina Singh, has been named Secretary/Treasurer. Dr. Oliver Knesl, Director & Medical Lead, Petcare Pain Portfolio, Global Medical Affairs at Zoetis, has joined APPA’s board of directors.

Regan brings over 25 years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry, with the last 15 years dedicated to leadership roles at Central Garden & Pet. During his tenure, he has overseen various categories at Central, including aquatics, reptile, small animal, pet bird and wild bird. His passion for the pet industry was sparked early in his career while working with the Milk-Bone brand at Kraft-Nabisco, where he discovered the joy of working with and around pets. Regan holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College and an MBA from the University of Maryland. He currently resides in Illinois with his family, their Schnoodle, Murphy, and Lionhead Rabbit, Salty.

“On behalf of the entire association, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new director,” said Regan. “Dr. Knesl brings a wealth of veterinary expertise and global industry experience that will be an incredible asset to the APPA Board. His deep commitment to animal health and the human-animal bond aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to his contributions as we continue to support the pet community.”

Knesl earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He also holds degrees in zoology and physiology, wildlife management, and environmental geochemistry, with postgraduate credentials in canine and feline endocrinology and emergency and critical care. Since joining Zoetis in 2006, Knesl has held various global leadership roles and currently serves as the veterinary director for companion animal pain therapeutics.

“I’m honored to join the APPA Board and contribute to an organization that plays such a vital role in advancing the pet care industry,” said Dr. Knesl. “Supporting the health and well-being of pets and the people who care for them has always been a passion of mine, and I look forward to helping drive meaningful impact through APPA’s important work.”

Singh is the founder of JoJo Modern Pets, a pet product company inspired by her rescue dog, JoJo. A graduate of North Central College with an MBA from Illinois Institute of Technology and a master's in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, she brings a diverse background in healthcare and software to the pet industry. Since launching the brand in 2012, Singh has grown JoJo Modern Pets into a leading independent manufacturer, importer, and distributor, supplying major retailers and over 2,000 independent pet stores across the U.S.

“Working with the APPA Board to support an industry I’m deeply passionate about is an exciting opportunity,” said Singh. “I look forward to continuing our work helping drive innovation and growth for our members and the broader pet industry.”

The APPA board of directors comprises pet industry professionals from across the U.S. who collectively work to achieve the association’s mission and serve the interests of its diverse membership.

APPA’s board of directors also includes Tommy Baroody, Vice President of Sales, North America at Nestle Purina Petcare (Immediate Past Chair); Kevin Fick, Advisor to the Board at PetWise, Inc. (Director); and Josh Patterson, Vice President of Sales USA at Montego Pet Nutrition (Director).

The APPA board of directors comprises pet industry professionals from diverse locations across the U.S. who collectively work to achieve the association’s mission of promoting responsible pet care and advancing the pet products industry. To learn more, visit: https://americanpetproducts.org/board-of-directors