Our Team

Heather Alspach
Vice President

Academic Qualifications: AA Business Administration and C.S. Business, Cuesta College; Certified Veterinary Assistant, Cal Poly University; AAEVT Equine Certificate; USDA APHIS Liaison

Heather has been with Plasvacc USA since 1998. Heather has a great affinity and understanding of the equine industry and is a keen rider, horse lover, and a member of the AAEVT. Starting as a trainee Pheresing Technician, Heather worked her way up through the organization to become the Production Manager in 2001, the Business Manager in 2011, and promoted to Vice President in 2020.

Heather is in charge of recruitment, staff training, and compliance. Heather is also a member of the Plasvacc Senior Management Committee and trained for EIA testing at NVSL. Most importantly, Heather understands Plasvacc’s plasma products and how they assist in the treatment of various ailments in animals.

Amanda Burgess
Laboratory Manager

Academic Qualifications: B.S. Animal Science, Minor in Biotechnology from California Polytechnic State University

Amanda joined Plasvacc USA in 2015 as our Laboratory Manager and Alternate APHIS Liaison. She applies her knowledge and interest in microbiology and biotechnology to ensure that all of Plasvacc’s USDA-licensed plasma products are of the utmost quality via strict quality control testing.

She is an NVSL-trained EIA technician and also assists in the research and development of new products to bring the best possible plasma products to your animal. She has a great love of animals, large and small, and is more than happy to be applying her scientific background to produce products that benefit them.

Lindsey Feliz
Senior Pheresing Technician

Lindsey was born and raised on the Central Coast. She has a strong passion for horses and has been riding horses since she was very young. Lindsey started with the company from 2005-2007 as a pheresing technician. After a leave to begin her family, Lindsey returned to work with Plasvacc in 2013 as a pheresing technician and has since worked her way up to the Senior Technician position. Lindsey also oversees Plasvacc’s donor program and the care of the donor herd.

Dr. Ed Hamer
Veterinary Technical Information & Product Support – Equine

Ed received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1990. During his studies he was heavily involved in equine medicine and surgery. Ed was employed by the Ohio State Racing Commission and worked as a laboratory technician for two years during veterinary school.

Upon graduation he completed an equine internship at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California. Since then, he has practiced in the Santa Ynez Valley of California for the last 24 years. His practice includes lameness in thoroughbred racehorses and a variety of performance horses including western and polo.

Ed is also heavily involved in broodmare practice during the breeding season, including neonatal care and foal medicine and surgery. Over the past ten years, Ed has been responsible for the breeding of 300-500 mares each year on various farms in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley in Central California.

Dr. Ryan Cate
Veterinary Technical Information & Product Support – Canine

Dr. Ryan Cate grew up in Boyd, Texas and attended Weatherford College where he obtained an Associate Degree in Agricultural Science. He continued his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets (Thunderbird 3) and graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Animal Science. He was awarded his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in May 2009.

After graduating with his doctorate, Dr. Cate completed an Equine Medicine and Surgery internship at Lonestar Park Equine Hospital in Grand Prairie, TX under the guidance of Dr. Wes Williams.

Upon completing his internship, Dr. Cate moved to Grenada where he was a faculty member at St. George’s University when the College of Veterinary Medicine was awarded full AVMA Accreditation in September 2011.

Dr. Cate owns Riverstone Veterinary Group, and serves as our canine specialist.