About Us

Veterinary Leadership

Jeff Brant, DVM , MBA, is a graduate of Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the senior vice president of Veterinary Selection for Banfield. Dr. Brant was attracted to Banfield in 1994 because of his previous experience as the founder of a veterinary hospital, and the opportunity we afforded him to help found Banfield. He and his wife, Kris, have three children, Jarrett, Jessica and Kamron, two dogs, three cats and two horses. His areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include business management and international practice.

Kathy Engler, DVM, DABVP, is a 1991 graduate of University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and the senior director of Veterinary Career Development. Dr. Engler was drawn to veterinary medicine because of her desire to work with small Pets. She joined the Banfield team in 1996 because of her opportunity to serve as a medical advisor and have day-to-day contact with doctors in the field. Dr. Engler and her husband, Richard, have three boys, a kitten and two chinchillas. Her areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include small animal medicine, quality assurance and veterinary career development.

Karen K. Faunt, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM (small animal), is a 1994 graduate of the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Banfield’s Vice President/Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Prior to this role, Dr. Faunt served as the Senior Director of Veterinary School Partnerships. She joined Banfield in 2002 because of our high standard of healthcare. She resides in Portland, Ore., with her partner, Robert, and their two dogs and one cat. Her areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include small animal medicine and internal medicine.

Karen Johnson, DVM, is a 1988 graduate of Oregon State University and Washington State University Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, as well as Banfield’s vice president and client advocate. As a Banfield team member since 1988, Dr. Johnson’s role as Client Advocate allows her a unique opportunity to help and support clients across the Practice dealing with challenging or difficult situations. In addition, she manages Banfield’s Hospital Audit Program for Excellence, a unique look at client service from the client’s perspective. She joined the practice directly after receiving her veterinary degrees from Oregon State University and Washington State University.

She started her career at the original Banfield in NE Portland, working with Dr. Warren Wegert and Dr. Scott Campbell. After serving as Chief of Staff for several years, Dr. Johnson transitioned to Banfield’s Central Team Support office and began working with the Quality Assurance Team. From there, she quickly moved on to her current Client Advocate role and was promoted to Vice President in 2004. Dr. Johnson also proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Banfield Charitable Trust.

Dr. Johnson’s current Pet family includes Webster, a recently adopted shelter dog and three rescued cats named Freeway, Worm and Gomez.

Randy LaFevre, DVM, is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Vice President of Professional Relations at Banfield. Dr. LaFevre was drawn to the practice of veterinary medicine and to Banfield in particular in 1999, because of Banfield’s opportunity to combine medicine with business practices. He and his wife, Doris, have three children and a dog. His areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include internal medicine and business development.

Bob Lester, DVM, is a 1986 graduate cum laude of Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the vice president of Veterinary Selection at Banfield. Dr. Lester joined Banfield in 1994 because of the opportunities we offered him for leadership in the field of veterinary medicine. He and his wife, Crystal have two daughters and four Pets. His areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include veterinary recruitment, business development and general medicine.

Elizabeth Lund, DVM, MPH, Ph.D., is a 1986 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the senior director of research at Banfield. Dr. Lund was drawn to veterinary medicine because of her desire to work in evidence-based medicine. Dr. Lund joined Banfield in 2006 because Banfield offered her the ability to perform clinical research and to help standardize veterinary medicine. She and her husband have four children and four Pets. Her areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include research and epidemiology.

Kerri Marshall, DVM, MBA, is a 1985 graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Senior Director of Petware Development at Banfield. Dr. Marshall was drawn to veterinary medicine because of her early work with disaster relief for Pets. She joined Banfield in 1995 because of our unique model of aligning business practices with medical needs. She lives with her husband, Andrew, and their two chihuahas and one cat. Her areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include disaster relief and research.

Ari Zabell, DVM, Dipl. ABVP is a graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Banfield’s senior director of hospital operations support. Dr. Zabell joined Banfield in 1996 because we offered job security and opportunities in field leadership. The practice of veterinary medicine is the fulfillment of one of his childhood dreams. His areas of special interest in veterinary medicine include general medicine. Dr. Zabell and his wife Michelle, have three children, Max, Sophia and Julia, and one horse.