ST. PAUL — Just months after being named the state vet in Minnesota, the state Board of Animal Health announced that Dr. Marion Garcia's term is done, effective immediately.
The Board of Animal Health announced Tuesday, March 28, that Garcia will no longer serve as executive director and state veterinarian. The announcement did not specify a reason for Garcia's departure, and Garcia could not be reached for comment.
The board's rules outline that the state vet and executive director position is up for reappointment every April, according to Michael Crusan, communications director for the board. The six-member board met in closed session on Monday, March 27, and decided that Garcia would not be reappointed at the upcoming April meeting.
The announcement said the board will start a search for qualified candidates immediately. Dr. Brian Hoefs has been appointed to the role of interim executive director and state veterinarian.
Hoefs has been a member of the board’s leadership team since 2019. His roles include oversight of swine, equine, and livestock concentration point programs, according to the board's website.
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Garcia's appointment as state vet was announced in August 2022. She had spent more than 20 years working in the turkey industry before becoming the state vet.
The vacancy comes as Minnesota deals with animal diseases, including avian flu for the poultry industry and chronic wasting disease in deer, and the threat of African swine fever. Minnesota is the nation's leading turkey producer.
Garcia was selected to replace Dr. Beth Thompson, who left the agency in May 2022 for a similar position in South Dakota.
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