Dona Jo Specker brings more than 30 years of human resources leadership experience to her role as HR Manager at VERC. Over the course of her career, she has held management-level positions across multiple industries and spent 15 years running her own HR consulting firm across seven states. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Human Resource Management (formerly Industrial Relations) and Psychology, as well as a master’s degree in Business and Human Resource Management. Dona Jo is certified in SPHR, ECP, CCEP, FMLA, ADA, OSHA 30, and CPR/AED.

Her passion for veterinary medicine is both personal and professional. After VERC saved the life of her beloved dog Stella four years ago, Dona Jo felt inspired to join the team. With her background in emergency medicine from her earlier career and her extensive HR expertise, she is dedicated to fostering an employee-focused culture that values appreciation, support, and resilience. She lives by the motto: “A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.”

Known for her approachable and compassionate leadership style, Dona Jo is committed to being a resource for people, not just policies. She strives to ensure employees feel seen, valued, and supported, whether through guidance, encouragement, or even something as simple as a candy bowl pick-me-up.

Outside of work, Dona Jo enjoys going to the beach, spending time in the gym, tending her garden, and experimenting in the kitchen. She also co-founded Vets with Pets, an outreach program dedicated to helping homeless individuals and their animal companions. She shares her home with her husband, Mike, and their two dogs, Abbie Grace, a Labradoodle, and Stella Mae, a terrier mix.

She is also the proud mother of two adult children: a daughter, an MD beginning her residency in Tucson, and a son pursuing his Doctorate in Nursing in Anesthesia at FSU. In the future, she dreams of opening a rescue and sanctuary where every animal has a safe place to call home.