STAMFORD, CONN. — The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced two new appointments on March 28. Savina Singh, chief executive officer of JoJo Modern Pets, has been appointed to the board of directors and Robert Merar has been appointed to interim chief executive officer.

“Savina brings extensive leadership experience to her new role as a member of the APPA board of directors after serving as the chief executive officer of JoJo Modern Pets for almost a decade,” said Chuck Latham, chairman of the APPA board and founder of H&C Animal Health. “On behalf of the entire APPA board, I am pleased to congratulate Savina on her new role, and we look forward to the expertise and insights she will bring to the association.”

Prior to her appointment with APPA, Singh founded JoJo Modern Pets, a pet supplies company, in 2012 after receiving a degree in organizational communications and her master’s in business administration, as well as international management. JoJo Modern Pets supplies many large pet retailers throughout the United States, as well as 2,000 independent retailers with pet supplies. The company serves as manufacturer, distributor and importer for pet brands and retailers, aiding in solutions for supply chain issues.

Singh has also worked in the healthcare and software industries prior to pet.

“I am very excited to serve the pet business community as a new board member of APPA, an organization that works hard for its members,” Singh said. “APPA is instrumental in the pet industry’s growth and strength.”

Merar, a board member of APPA, was appointed interim CEO following the appointment of Andrew Darmohraj, executive vice president and chief operating officer of APPA, as interim CEO in December. The association continues its nationwide search for a permanent chief executive officer to succeed Steve King, who announced his retirement in December 2021.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.