Leadership Team - Hippo Vets

Dr. Langhofer grew up in Indiana as the son of a veterinarian. He graduated from Purdue University in 1998, as the youngest veterinarian in the nation. He works closely with many species of exotic pets, and is very interested in holistic medicine in dogs and cats.

He and his wife have a beautiful daughter and 2 active sons. His pets at home include 3 dogs, 2 cats, 3 birds, 1 snake, and 3 rescued peacocks. In his spare time, he enjoys spicy food, canyoning, and is an avid whitewater kayaker, skier, and hiker.

Rick MeyerPresident

Rick has spent his entire career in operations, specializing in multi-unit management, with a primary background in human medicine. For over a year, he has had the privilege of working with Hippo Veterinary Group, where he is passionate about the team and the innovative work we are building. As President, Rick’s focus is on strategic thinking to continuously improve processes and practices that support thoughtful growth and enable our teams to provide the highest level of care.

Rick holds a BS from the University of Utah, an MBA from the University of Georgia, and a Graduate Certification in Business Analytics from Harvard University. Outside of work, Rick is a proud father of three, loves traveling with his wife, reading, and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Ashley Stotts Director of Operations

Ashley Stotts, originally from Iowa and raised in Arizona’s East Valley, is a mom of 4 (3 kids and 1 husband, the biggest kid of them all!). She has two Dutch Shepherd Mix dogs, Chevelle and Nova, two Tabby cats, Izzy and Calypso, 20+ African cichlids, and a flock of chickens. Ashley’s journey to Hippo Veterinary Group began in restaurant hospitality before transitioning to veterinary medicine in 2010. Starting in client service at Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic, she moved into leadership roles such as team lead training, inventory management, wellness plans, and hospital director. In 2022, she helped establish Hippo Veterinary Group, where she now serves as Director of Operations. Ashley focuses on growth operations, leading de novo developments and supporting acquisition partnerships, while also assisting operational roles across Hippo hospitals.

When not advancing her education (working toward a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree), she enjoys off-roading, camping, and planning her next beach adventure. Passionate about marine biology, dinosaurs, pirates, and cooking, Ashley also carries on her grandmother’s traditions of baking pies, cakes, and cookies for her loved ones.

Autumn Hughes Director of Careers

As Director of Careers, Autumn is deeply passionate about empowering the dreams of veterinary professionals. Since joining Hippo Vets in January 2009, she has been dedicated to building strong, vibrant teams, with a special interest in developing the careers of new graduate veterinarians through The 5th Year Mentorship. A culture-obsessed leader, Autumn thrives on creating environments where people feel valued, inspired, and connected.

As the constantly caffeinated, cool taekwondo mom, she enjoys cheering on her two little ninjas’ busy schedules and finding time to snuggle with Sasha, her ragdoll cat. When she’s not supporting the future of veterinary care, Autumn loves to travel and seek new adventures, always seeking fresh experiences to fuel her passion for growth and connection.

Tracy Faulkner Director of PIMS Integration

Tracy is the PIMS Integration Director with over a decade of experience, specializing in optimizing practice management systems to improve clinic workflows and enhance client experiences. Passionate about veterinary care and operational efficiency, Tracy plays a key role in streamlining processes that support seamless practice operations.

Outside of work, Tracy is an avid animal lover and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, their four children, and three dogs—a Bulldog, Golden Doodle, and Boxer. She also loves camping and exploring nature. Tracy’s commitment to innovation ensures that both teams and clients benefit from efficient systems that drive excellence in veterinary care.

Lance Wilson Director of Clinic Outreach

Lance grew up in Tempe, AZ, and has also lived in New Orleans and Lake Tahoe. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and later graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Global Business Management. His career journey has spanned several industries, from Hotel Management to Commercial Real Estate Management, before transitioning into Medical Sales. His deep love for animals eventually led him to the veterinary industry, where he quickly established himself as a sales leader. This path ultimately brought him to Hippo Veterinary Group, where he currently serves as the Director of Clinic Outreach.

Lance is passionate about veterinary medicine, health and fitness, skiing, live music, biking, hiking, skateboarding, kayaking, and charity work. Above all, he is devoted to the love of his life, his cat Zipper, who brings him joy and companionship.

Hillary Ponder Regional Field Director

Hillary serves as the Midtown Regional Field Director and brings over a decade of experience, leadership, and passion to the veterinary field. She began her journey with Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic in 2014, where she worked her way through nearly every role within the hospital. This hands-on experience gave her a deep understanding of both patient care and the day-to-day operations of a veterinary practice. As a CVT, Hillary is passionate about developing technical skills, building strong practice management teams, and connecting with others who share her commitment to animal welfare. She thrives on driving clinical and operational excellence—supporting hospitals through efficient workflows, high standards of patient care, and the development of strong communication and leadership across teams.

Outside of her professional life, Hillary enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children. She loves being outdoors—hiking, bird watching, or perusing at the local farmers market. At home, she shares her life with her three dogs—Jax, Mack, and Zoey—and her cat, Piper.

Alyssa Montgomery Regional Field Director

Alyssa Montgomery serves as the Eastside Regional Field Director for Hippo Vets. She began her career at the Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic in 2019 as a Certified Veterinary Technician in the ICU, where she developed invaluable hands-on experience in patient and client care, along with a deep understanding of the operations of a busy veterinary practice.

In 2021, Alyssa transitioned into leadership at Gilbert Queen Creek Emergency & Specialty Center, advancing from Lead Technician to Hospital Director. Through this experience, she discovered her passion for driving clinical and operational excellence. Today, she is committed to supporting hospitals through streamlined workflows, maintaining high standards of patient care, and fostering strong communication and leadership across teams.

Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her two children and her dogs, Sushi and Kiwi. She loves the outdoors—whether it’s fishing, riding dirt bikes, or exploring new places.