ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (February 5, 2009) - Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., (BIVI) announces the hiring of two brand managers to facilitate marketing and communications for their swine division's FLEX line of vaccines.

Renier Pistorius has joined the BIVI swine division as the senior brand manager for the company's mycoplasma pneumonia vaccine, Ingelvac MycoFLEX. Pistorius has more than 30 years of experience in the animal health industry in various positions of increased responsibility. He has worked with cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats and game animal products throughout his career.

Pistorius has worked for leading animal health companies such as Bayer Animal Health, Intervet and Pfizer Animal Health both globally and in the U.S, and started his career in his native South Africa. Most recently he was the global brand manager for the swine, cattle and poultry business with Alpharma Animal Health.

Pistorius has a certificate in marketing management from Damelin Business College in South Africa. He and his family will be relocating to the St. Joseph, Mo., area.

Randy Buller also has joined the BIVI swine division as the senior brand manager for the company's circovirus vaccine, Ingelvac CircoFLEX. Buller spent 23 years with Elanco Animal Health, where he started as a sales representative.

Buller has held various sales and marketing positions both globally and in the U.S. for Elanco. He most recently worked for Eli Lilly & Company as a sales and marketing manager for their hospital and institution division.

Buller earned his bachelor of science degree in biology and agricultural economics from South Dakota State University. He and his family will be relocating to the St. Joseph, Mo., area in the near future.

Tim Bettington, senior associate director for the BIVI swine division, says the addition of Pistorius and Buller demonstrates the company's commitment not only to producers and veterinarians, but also to the BIVI FLEX line of products.

"We are dedicated to helping producers and veterinarians develop better management practices to help prevent devastating diseases like circovirus and mycoplasma pneumonia that affect their operations," says Bettington. "Renier and Randy bring a tremendous amount of international and domestic swine health experience, which will be invaluable in marketing our FLEX line of products."