Rich Lester has 15 years of experience in the veterinary industry, focused on helping veterinarians achieve financial success. He was President of BrightHeart Veterinary Centers before founding Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP), the first group to co-own hospitals with veterinarians. As CEO, he grew VPP to over 65 partnerships and 1,200 team members. In 2020, he became an advisor and joined Ackerman Group in 2021, where he guides owners through the practice sale process. Rich holds an MBA from UCLA and a degree in Finance and American History from the University of Pennsylvania. He lives with his wife and three children.