Elizabeth Cox
California Department of Food and Agriculture
MS, DVM
Dr. Cox is a native Californian and graduated from UC Davis SVM in 2009. She currently leads the Animal Care Program for California Department of Food and Agriculture. This role combines her passions for animal welfare and ensuring sustainable animal agriculture in California. Before moving to civil service, Dr. Cox worked in private dairy practice in the central valley for five years focusing on calf health and milk quality. She moved to private industry in 2014 as a member of the Merck Cattle Technical Services Team and then as a member of the Land O’Lakes Dairy Enterprise Team in 2018. Throughout her career Dr. Cox has focused on veterinary professional leadership by serving as president of the Academy of Dairy Veterinary Consultants, Dairy Cattle Welfare Council, and her local veterinary medical association. Currently, Dr. Cox serves as chair of USAHA Animal Welfare Committee representing agriculture animal welfare issues at a national level. Dr. Cox lives in Turlock, CA with her husband and two children.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
MS, DVM
Dr. Cox is a native Californian and graduated from UC Davis SVM in 2009. She currently leads the Animal Care Program for California Department of Food and Agriculture. This role combines her passions for animal welfare and ensuring sustainable animal agriculture in California. Before moving to civil service, Dr. Cox worked in private dairy practice in the central valley for five years focusing on calf health and milk quality. She moved to private industry in 2014 as a member of the Merck Cattle Technical Services Team and then as a member of the Land O’Lakes Dairy Enterprise Team in 2018. Throughout her career Dr. Cox has focused on veterinary professional leadership by serving as president of the Academy of Dairy Veterinary Consultants, Dairy Cattle Welfare Council, and her local veterinary medical association. Currently, Dr. Cox serves as chair of USAHA Animal Welfare Committee representing agriculture animal welfare issues at a national level. Dr. Cox lives in Turlock, CA with her husband and two children.
Annette Jones
California Department of Food and Agriculture
State Veterinarian and Director
Dr. Jones graduated with honors from U.C. Davis with an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. After practicing as a private veterinarian, she joined the California Department of Food and Agriculture in 2001. On July 1, 2004, Dr. Jones was appointed Director of the Animal Health and Food Safety Services, currently overseeing 356 people in diverse programs related to animal agriculture. In September of 2010, besides continuing to perform as Director, Dr. Jones was appointed State Veterinarian.
During her tenure, she has led multiple State level emergency animal health and food safety responses. She has addressed animal needs during natural disasters like extreme heat, fire, snow, and floods; has directed State mandated disease control and eradication actions during potentially catastrophic disease outbreaks in poultry, cattle, swine, and horses; and has initiated mandatory recalls during food contamination events.
Dr. Jones also has held several state and national leadership roles. She was the president of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, Chair for the National Institute of Animal Agriculture, Treasurer for the United States Animal Health Association and served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. She currently serves on the California Veterinary Medical Association Agriculture and Legislative Committees.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
State Veterinarian and Director
Dr. Jones graduated with honors from U.C. Davis with an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. After practicing as a private veterinarian, she joined the California Department of Food and Agriculture in 2001. On July 1, 2004, Dr. Jones was appointed Director of the Animal Health and Food Safety Services, currently overseeing 356 people in diverse programs related to animal agriculture. In September of 2010, besides continuing to perform as Director, Dr. Jones was appointed State Veterinarian.
During her tenure, she has led multiple State level emergency animal health and food safety responses. She has addressed animal needs during natural disasters like extreme heat, fire, snow, and floods; has directed State mandated disease control and eradication actions during potentially catastrophic disease outbreaks in poultry, cattle, swine, and horses; and has initiated mandatory recalls during food contamination events.
Dr. Jones also has held several state and national leadership roles. She was the president of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, Chair for the National Institute of Animal Agriculture, Treasurer for the United States Animal Health Association and served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. She currently serves on the California Veterinary Medical Association Agriculture and Legislative Committees.