Keith Waltisperger is Blue River PetCare’s Vice President of Business Development. Having originally joined the organization as a practice manager in 2012, Keith brings an in-depth understanding of the veterinary industry and the unique challenges faced by veterinary practice leaders to his role as head of Blue River’s Business Development team.

Taking pride in Blue River’s user-friendly approach, Keith spends the majority of his time working alongside veterinary practice owners in finding the right opportunity to help them achieve their personal goals and extend the legacy of their practice. As part of his role, Keith oversees the financial evaluation process associated with a practice sale and helps sellers understand their practice's current value and best path forward to achieving their financial goals.

Prior to beginning his career, Keith earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas State University, which eventually led to managing several large veterinary practices, including both general practice and emergency. When Keith isn't working, he's an avid outdoorsman who loves to head out to the woods for some technology-free moments with his two young boys.

Gene Bauer, DVM is a Business Development Specialist at Blue River PetCare. Gene originally joined the Blue River team as Medical Director of a small animal practice in the Annapolis, MD area in 2010, a role he currently maintains today. When not in clinic, Gene channels his passion for animal welfare through his Business Development role, building relationships with practice owners who are interested in furthering their practice by joining the Blue River network.

Gene has been a practicing veterinarian for more than 23 years, beginning his career in veterinary medicine with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Above everything, Gene is a veterinarian whose passion lies in treating patients and supporting his exceptional veterinary care team – and he is proud to meet other veterinary professionals who share his passion and welcome them to the Blue River family.

Krystal Burrell, LVT, CVPM is a Business Development Specialist at Blue River PetCare. Originally joining the Blue River family in 2015 as a practice manager of two small animal hospitals in Houston, TX, Krystal’s commitment to fostering positive clinic culture and operational success led her to her role as a Regional Operations Manager in 2019, followed by her Director of Field Operations role in 2021, and eventually to her current role on the Business Development team in 2023.

Having spent more than 20 years in the veterinary industry, Krystal is passionate about ensuring each practice has the resources they need to build skilled, engaged veterinary teams to better support their patients and communities, and looks forward to welcoming new practices into the Blue River PetCare family.

During her time spent working in practice, Krystal held both clinical and leadership roles. She received her LVT license in 2003, her CVPM credentials in 2016, and was recognized for her clinical skills in 2007 as the Texas Veterinary Technician of the Year. In addition to her professional interests, Krystal is a loving mother to two teenage daughters and a dog mom to three dogs, small in size, but big in attitude - Georgia Grace, the matriarch, a 12-year-old Dachshund; Riley the 10-year-old Maltipoo rescue; and Teddy Tupperware the newest addition to the family, a little terror terrier!

Beth Niebling is a Business Development Specialist who joined the Blue River team in 2022. Her love of animals led her to her career in animal health, where she’s spent the past 16 years working alongside other like-minded animal enthusiasts and building lifelong relationships with practice owners. Now she is working with some of those same owners by helping guide them to the next chapter of their lives through Blue River’s user-friendly transition process.

Beth’s love of animals stretches far beyond her career and into her personal life, where she can always be found spending time with her two dogs and children, working with local animal shelters, or training with her Bronze-Medal winning Dressage Pony. She is also an Equine Specialist and was a member of the Equine FIT team. Prior to her career, Beth attended Elizabethtown College where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, with a minor in Biochemistry.

Priscilla Cherry is the Vice President of Operations & Talent Acquisition at Blue River PetCare. Priscilla joined the BRP team in 2016, bringing with her several years of experience within the veterinary and human healthcare space. Throughout her time at Blue River, Priscilla has utilized her industry experience to develop and lead both the Field Operations and Talent Acquisition teams, guiding both teams in the development of the processes used today to provide exceptional support to all Blue River practices.

Priscilla is passionate about developing team members at every level of the organization and fostering healthy, well-managed practices that grow and thrive. One of Priscilla’s favorite aspects about working for Blue River is the respectful and encouraging culture created by the company’s founders — and attributes the company’s positive environment for helping develop her career.

In addition to her professional experience, Priscilla earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Indiana University, followed by her Master of Business Administration from Davenport University. Priscilla is a major advocate for special needs and geriatric animal rescue efforts and programs, and in her free time, can be found spending time with her own special needs rescue pets.

Alina Smith is an experienced Talent Acquisition Specialist who joined the Blue River team in 2019. Responsible for the full-cycle recruitment of all Associate Veterinarians and Medical Directors across the Blue River network, Alina provides a best-in-class candidate experience by offering a seamless and enjoyable interview process to all candidates interested in joining the Blue River family. Alina is known for her commitment to finding the perfect fit for each candidate's individual career goals—priding herself in building a great rapport with every candidate she meets. She is passionate about animal welfare and shelter pets and shares her home with two of the sweetest rescue pups around—Calvin & Camille.

Before joining Blue River, Alina earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University (go Dawgs!), followed by her Certified Internet Recruiter certification. She previously managed a 10-DVM general practice on the north side of Chicago and devoted five years to transitioning a municipal animal shelter to a no-kill.