VMCVM Alumni Spotlight: Gary Hurlock
Gary Hurlock '92, DVM '96
Vice president of food safety/quality and regulatory affairs at Crider Foods
How VMCVM equipped me for the 'real world'...
The public and corporate medicine track at VMCVM gave me an exposure to food animal medicine, specifically poultry medicine that I would never have attained from another veterinary institution. I was ready for the many challenges I would encounter as a poultry veterinarian after completing my internship at NC State-CVM.
Best part of being a VMCVM alum...
I am always so proud to say I am a VMCVM alumni from the day I graduated in '96. So many of our alumni have done great work in their respective field to enhance animal care!
Best advice I've gotten....
Stay true to yourself.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...
His Motto...If I cannot take it home from work and feed it to my children, it cannot be sold...
My hidden talent...
Untapped talent as a thoroughbred trainer.
A person who has inspired me...
Dr. Dick Boyd, who I met on one of my externships at a commercial poultry operation in Harrisburg, Virginia, inspired me to be great. To believe in myself and to always be the best version of myself. I am inspired by those words even today. He remains one of my best friends and a mentor to this day.
What did you learn at the college that you never thought you would benefit from?
I learned to be attentive to details and to be knowledgeable of the facts at all times. Initially I thought it was too overbearing but that training was invaluable for me later in my career.
Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
Biggest misconception is that chickens are fed steroids to promote growth. Advancement in poultry nutrition and genetics are the reasons for excellent feed conversions to meat.
Words of encouragement to a current veterinary college student...
There are so many career fields within veterinary medicine that now require you to do your research and find that niche that excites you.
Fondest college memory or tradition...
Classmates attending VT football games together.
A cause I'm most passionate about... The most formative experience I've had...
Mentoring college students with an interest in food animal production.
Top of my bucket list...
Attending the Kentucky Derby with a horse in the race.
My favorite quote...
I hate subjective arguments, so I always remind myself to be as objective as possible by this quote, "It is best to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubts."
Being a VMCVM alumnus means...
I received one of the best veterinary educations at VMCVM.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
No pets — my children love to travel internationally each year.
Anything else to add?
GO VT!
