The ELCR Board of Directors
To contact ELCR or a board member please contact the office at (859) 455-8383, Info@ELCR.org.
Larry E. Byers
President, South Carolina
Larry is an avid foxhunter, an ex-MFH, who learned the value and importance of open space while growing up on a farm in Adams County, Pennsylvania. He has been an active horseman both in showing and eventing and an active volunteer with US Pony Club. As President of USPC (2001-2004), he incorporated an emphasis on "riding in the open" and the responsibility of equestrians to preserve open space as a component in the syllabus presented to all USPC leaders at all levels. In San Diego where he now resides, his is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mission Resource Conservation District.
Susan M. Harding
Vice President, Maryland
Formerly Vice President, Group Publishing Director of Source Interlink Media's Equine Network, Susan is a consultant working with Active Interest Media, a special interest media company that purchased the Equine Network from Source Interlink in 2010. Susan has spent 20+ years in the equine publishing industry. She joined Fleet Street, Publisher of EQUUS and Polo magazines, in January 1987 and served as Executive Vice President until Fleet Street was acquired by Primedia,Inc. in June of 1998, Susan was instrumental in the launch of Dressage Today in 1995, Discover Horses at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2002 and DsicoverHorses.com in 2010.
At the Equine Network Susan was responsible for 5 monthly magazines - EQUUS, Horse & Rider, Practical Horseman, Dressage Today and Arabian Horse World, three special issues - Discover Horses at the Kentucky Horse Park, EquiShopper and Arabian Horse World Special, a book division - HorseBooksEtc. and three websites - EquiSearch.com , equine.com
and EquiShopper.com.
Prior to entering the horse world, Susan worked at Newsweek magazine in New York City, the Congressional Research Service in Washington, D.C. and McKinsey & Co., in London. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the Harvard Business School.
In addition to her involvement with horses in her employment, Susan has served as President of American Horse Publications and on the Board of Trustees of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). She currently is on the boards of Horse and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) and the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR). She also serves as chairman of the US Hunter Jumper Association Marketing Committee and on their board of directors.
Patricia Mattingley
Secretary, Washington
Patricia Mattingley has a long history with horses. Patsy, currently of Sequim WA, began her love affair with equestrian life at the age of seven, when she began riding in the Chicago area. Later, she became involved with the US Pony Club through her then 13-year-old daughter, Jenny. Within three years, Patsy was a District Commissioner in Texas and has since organized meetings and festivals for the Pony Club, served on the Board of Governors and chaired the Governance and Development Committees.
Patsy comes to ELCR with experience in the equestrian world, but also a wealth of experience in nonprofit governance and a volunteers-eye-view of operations.
Dan Rosenberg
Treasurer, Kentucky
Dan Rosenberg is no stranger to equestrian life and culture. Prior to starting Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting, Dan served as President and CEO of Three Chimneys Farm, home to such names as Smarty Jones and Seattle Slew. He was with Three Chimneys for 30 years, serving as General Manager before being appointed president.
Dan has also lent his considerable expertise to Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Kentucky Equine Institute, Thoroughbred Club of America and the Keeneland Pony Club.
Colby Balazs
Newtown, MA
Colby Balazs is the Vice President of Marketing at SmartPak, a rapidly growing company made famous by selling name-brand supplements custom-packed for each customer's horse in a patented, individually-labeled and sealed single-dose package called the SmartPak™. In addition to this unique line, SmartPak has become the largest equine online retailer for supplements, tack and equipment, and also offers pet and pharmacy products. As the official tack and equipment supplier to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), SmartPak is an environmentally-savvy company working hard to minimize its impact on the earth by abiding to the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” viewpoint of conservation.
As an outdoor enthusiast and competitive eventer, Balazs is familiar with land use issues and is especially sensitive to land conservation. Growing up in a small Pennsylvania community bordering 2,000 acres of accessible state game lands, she became a supporter for responsible trail maintenance and advocacy. Although lucky to have had access to the open land, she learned that not all users were responsible trail stewards which in turn threatened access for all. Today, Balazs actively competes in three-day eventing with her Irish Sport Horse gelding, Hard Alee, and their recent successes include a top ten ranking on the United States Eventing Association's National Leaderboard for the past two years.
Betty Biszantz
California & Kentucky
Betty and husband, Gary, have been the proud owners of Cobra Farm, located in Lexington, KY, since 1995. The farm is a 340-acre Thoroughbred breeding facility with a rich history of producing such champions as Seattle Slew, the winner of the 1977 Triple Crown. In 2005, the Biszantz placed a conservation easement on the farm through the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Purchase of Development Rights program.
The couple also runs Tranquility Farm, a nonprofit Thoroughbred retirement, retraining and adoption operation dedicated to honoring the Thoroughbred after they’ve run their last race. The farm is situated in the mountain valley of Tehachapi, California, and is currently home to more than 70 off-the track racehorses.
Betty rode Hunter/Jumpers for 10 years in California. She regularly takes equestrian adventure trips now to locations such as Africa, Andes, and Mongolia. Betty has a Quarter Horse retiree at Cobra Farm in Lexington and a younger horse that she is currently leasing out as a dressage mount.
Laurel A. Florio, J.D.
Alpharetta, GA
Laurel Florio is an attorney and consultant to conservation organizations, and government agencies. Her work is focused on land transactions, and conservation easements. Laurel is a highly sought after speaker in the land conservation community, and a member of the Land Trust Alliance's Land Conservation Leadership Program Faculty. She was also a reviewer for one of the LTA's Curriculum Courses, Conservation Easement Stewardship, and teaches several curriculum courses on a regular basis at various conferences.
Laurel is a life-long horse enthusiast and rider. Driven by her passion for horses, she has ridden everything from thoroughbreds off the track to Arabians and pleasure shod Tennessee Walking Horses. Laurel's current equestrian activities include Dressage training and competing in the Southeast. She is as an active member of the US Dressage Federation and the US Equestrian Federation and the GA Dressage and Combined Training Association. Her current horse of three years is Puck, a 17.2, 12 year old Westphalen gelding.
"I am thrilled to be able to combine two of my passions, horses and land conservation, as a member of the ELCR Advisory Board. I am looking forward to assisting the organization in any way I can. And what a great excuse to try and get to KY more often too!!"
Ken Haddad
Florida
An avid fox hunter and trail rider, Ken is the recently retired Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC). In that role, he was responsible for the management of over 5 million acres of Florida public and private lands and served on the state council that guided the purchase of $300 million worth of public lands annually. He also served as member of the state lands Acquisition and Restoration Council, Chairman of the Science Coordinating Group of the Everglades Restoration Task Force, president of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and is a current board member of the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
Ken will contribute greatly to ELCR’s ability to be the horseman’s resource on recreational use issues at the state level. He has firsthand understanding of the myriad of issues surrounding equestrian access on public and private lands including public game lands.
Karen Isberg
Kentucky
Karen Isberg strongly believes we need to be conscientious stewards of the earth-to conserve and preserve for today and tomorrow. Not only must we teach our children, but we must also serve as strong roles models for them. She has taught these values to her son and daughter as well as other youth she encounters.
A lifelong horsewoman, Karen has cared for, ridden and showed horses her entire life. A graduate with distinction from Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Karen's primary field of study was equine reproduction with a minor in communications. After she received her degree, she served as the research farm manager at Cornell University where she supervised the full-time, graduate and undergraduate student staff, coordinated and conducted nutritional research at the Equine Metabolic Center, managed the contagious equine metritis (CEM) isolation unit, and conducted drug-testing trials for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Karen is president of two equine-industry companies. Kentucky Performance Products produces and distributes scientifically proven nutritional supplements for horses and show livestock. In 2007, she established the Arion Group, a design and marketing firm that specializes in meeting the needs of agriculture-related businesses, as well as those of small and midsize local businesses.
Karen has been an active leader with the Boy Scouts of America, Blue Grass Council, Elkhorn District and the Girl Scouts of America, Wilderness Road Council. She serves on the Board of the Masterson Equestrian Trust Foundation, a Lexington based 501(c)(3) who's goal it is to enhance and protect the facilites at a local Horse Park. She also enjoys hiking, camping, birding, civil war history and Dutch oven cooking.
Elizabeth "Libbie" Johnson
North Carolina
Libbie is a life-long horse lover, starting in 1961 with organizing a fan club devoted to Derby winner Carry Back. She claims to be a mosey-along rider. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, she has worn various career hats including art gallery director, school teacher, social worker and founder of Johnson-Powell Public Relations Inc. and Johnson-Powell Lecture Group. Libbie is currently serving as the Economic Tourism Director for Polk County, NC.
As one who believes that "service is the rent you pay," Libbie has been involved in her communities serving in various volunteer positions with Community Development, Travel and Tourism, Planning and Zoning, PTA, Planned Parenthood and Food Rescue.
In equestrian circles, past and present memberships include American Horse Council, North Carolina Horse Council, North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Eventing Association, United States Equestrian Federation, Foothills Riding Club, Foothills Equestrian Trails Association, North Carolina Horse Protection Society, Cardinal II Pony Club and River Valley Pony Club. Currently, Libbie serves on the Board of Directors for the United States Pony Club. She is also involved in implementing and hosting the first national symposium on Equine Economics for spring 2007.
On the home front, Libbie and husband Jerry are parents of three grown children. They share Far Side Farm in Tryon, NC with a collection of middle-aged horses, motley dogs, and moody cats.
Scott King, DVM
Missouri
Scott King, DVM, is currently the Equine Products Manager at Bayer Animal Health where he oversees the development and management of all equine products and promotions. He is a graduate of the University Of Missouri College Of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. King was in private equine practice for 10 years in St. Louis, Missouri prior to going to work for Purina Mills. While at Purina Mills he managed the Equine Research Facility and many of the well known equine brands.
Scott and his wife were Whips with Meramec Valley Hunt, members with Bridlespur Hunt in St. Louis and currently enjoy riding with Mission Valley Hunt in Kansas City. Scott and his wife Tawny, are both actively involved in Boy Scouting with their sons Tristan and Quinlan.
The preservation of land, restoration of habitat and the education of others on these key issues are important to Scott and his family as they enjoy the wildlife, canoeing, horseback riding and hiking on their family farm in Missouri.
P.A. (Tony) Leahy
Illinois & Georgia
Tony sees conservation of land and access as a very important issue going into the future because he wants to see all types of equestrian activity perpetuated not only for his daughter, but also, hopefully, for his grandchildren. Tony is the Master of Foxhounds of the Fox River Valley Hunt and Cornwall Hounds. He also serves on both the Board of Directors of the Masters of Foxhounds Association (since 2001) and the Educational Foundation of that organization. Tony was raised in rural Ireland where he was involved in show jumping and steeplechasing. He came to the United States to further his show jumping career. When living in Illinois, Tony and his family enjoy their JoDaviess County farm and are pleased that it has a conservation easement on it so that it will stay a farm forever.
Robin Lightner
Wyoming
Robin is a lifelong philanthropist and actively strives to support and promote various humanitarian causes. Her tireless involvement with the United States Pony Club (USPC) began in 1980, stemming from her daughters interest in horses and membership with the Jackson Hole Pony Club, (WY). She held many leadership positions over the years and in 2009 her dedication was recognized when she was chosen to receive the USPC Founders Award; a prestigious honor that’s presented each year to a person who has made a significant contribution over a period of 20 years.
In 1993 Robin joined forces with two other women to form the Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding Association (JHTRA) to advance the therapeutic value of horses in the area. In 1998 a new arena was built and named the Robin Lightner Arena. The program continues to grow under Robin’s continued guidance as the Founding Director. Robin also authored a children’s book, “Dasher’s Lucky Shoe”, and dedicated all proceeds to the JHTRA.
Robin and her husband, Sam, are committed to land conservation efforts on both the local and national level. The couple has a home in Wyoming and actively supports the Jackson Hole Land Trust and a home in Lexington, Kentucky, where they’re involved with the Bluegrass Conservancy; a nonprofit land trust that serves to protect the Inner Bluegrass Region of Kentucky through land conservation for future generations. On the national front Robin and Sam support the Land Trust Alliance (LTA), an organization that works to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across the country.
Robin and Sam have a son, Sam Jr., a daughter, Cammy, and two granddaughters, Isabel and Corinne.
Stephanie McCommon
Texas
Stephanie McCommon is the Manager of Membership Services for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), where she has worked since 1999. Her responsibilities include working with the AQHA Affiliates, managing the Recreational Riding Program and overseeing the Stewards for Trails, Education and Partnerships program. The Ride Program has grown to average 100 rides held annually worldwide. The newly developed STEP program encourages stewardship and conservation of horseback riding trails by equestrians. In addition, she worked with Palo Duro Canyon State Park to secure a $100,000 grant to fund new equestrian trails and establish handicapped-accessible access to trails. Ms. McCommon is a graduate of West Texas A&M University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
James B. (Jim) Miller
Virginia
Jim grew up in suburban Northern Virginia next to racehorse owners who kept mares on their land for foaling purposes. Jim's family led an active outdoor life, with home garden and orchard, and traveling the country while camping. Jim graduated from The College of William and Mary with a B.S. in Biology and Duke University with a Master of Forestry degree. Jim served in the U.S. Army, and worked as a civilian forester for the Department of the Army. Jim retired in 2005 from the USDA - Forest Service after 35 years of government service in Virginia, Alaska, and California, with the last nine as the Dispersed Recreation Program Manager (trails, caves, and outdoor ethics) in the National Headquarters. Jim enjoys most outdoor activities, but allows that his wife and her remaining horse is the better horse person.
John Strassburger
California
John Strassburger has spent most of his life riding horses across the
countryside. He's foxhunted for 36 years, starting with the Spring
Valley Hounds (N.J.) and then working for three seasons in the stable of
the Essex Fox Hounds (N.J.). While editor of The Chronicle of the Horse,
from 1986 to 2006, he covered six Olympics and hundreds of other
competitions around the country and the world, and he followed more than
two dozen more packs throughout the United States, Canada and England.
John is a graduate A Pony Clubber and is currently competing in eventing
at the intermediate level. He and his wife, Heather Bailey, now operate
Phoenix Farm (www.phoenixsporthorses.com) in Healdsburg, Calif., where
they breed and train event and dressage horses, while also writing and
editing books and magazine articles. John also rode in point-to-points
and NSA-sanctioned steeplechase races, over hurdles, timber and on the
flat for eight years. John was president of the Land Trust of Virginia
for three years (vice president for two), serving on the Board of
Directors from 1997 to 2003. He was also a member of the Steering
Committee of the Rt. 50 Corridor Coalition in Middleburg, Va., for two
years, and he helped establish the MFHA's Hunting Habitat Preservation
Award. In addition, he served on the Board of Governors of the U.S. Pony
Clubs from 1983 to 1988 and was chairman of the USPC Tetrathlon
Committee from 1985 to 1991.
Advisory Council
Marty Bauman
Massachusetts
Marty Bauman is president and owner of Classic Communications, a well-known and highly respected name in the world of equestrian public relations, marketing and event management. During his 14 years as Director of Public Relations for the United States Equestrian Team (USET), Bauman was selected by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to serve as equestrian press officer at three Olympic Games, and in 1998 he served as Chairman of the USOC’s Olympic Public Relations Association. Bauman has also acted as press chief for the last seven FEI Show Jumping World Cup Finals held in the United States, and most recently was Director of Media Services and Operations for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. Bauman oversees public relations for some of the nation’s biggest equestrian events such as the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Hampton Classic Horse Show, and also serves as Executive Director of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2010, he negotiated and coordinated the Hall of Fame’s move from its longtime home in Tampa, Florida to the Kentucky Horse Park.
In addition to his more than 30 years of expertise in communications, Bauman is committed to environmental pursuits. In 1994, he helped the Rhode Island chapter of The Nature Conservancy with the announcement of its largest land purchase ever, Beane Point on Block Island. Three years later, he assumed management and marketing responsibility for the Charles River Watershed Association’s Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak race, helping develop the event to currently attract about 1500 entrants annually, with each participant sharing a stake in the health of the river. Bauman operates the headquarters of Classic Communications in Foxboro, MA as a "green office," maintaining environmentally-friendly practices and policies. Bauman is committed to minimizing carbon footprints and taking responsibility for helping to maintain a healthy planet.
Mrs. Jane K. Beshear
Kentucky
Mrs. Jane K. Beshear is a life-long equine enthusiast, competitor and industry supporter. She has served on the board of directors for numerous equine organizations including Equestrian Events Inc., which organizes the Kentucky Rolex 3-Day Event and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Board. Recently, she was a member of the World Equestrian Games Foundation Board, which successfully hosted in 2010 the first ever FEI World Games outside of Europe, an event that attracted more than half-a-million attendees from around the globe.
Mrs. Beshear actively promotes Kentucky’s Adventure Tourism economic development initiative, which highlights and seeks to expand outdoor adventure activities and recreational trails for equestrians, hikers, bikers and motorized users throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Mrs. Beshear’s experience as an eventer, fox hunter, trail rider and farm owner has given her a practical understanding of the importance of land conservation advocacy, by horse people and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Mrs. Beshear seeks to educate the youth of Kentucky on the joys and benefits of time spent in the great outdoors and devotes as much of her time as possible to her own farm in central Kentucky.
Susanna Colloredo-Mansfeld
South Hamilton, MA
Over thirty years of Susanna's life has been dedicated to
environmental conservation and education. Susanna co-founded and
serves as a Director of the Essex County Trail Association which
encourages responsible use of the open land, maintains trails, helps
establish easements, and promotes good will and communication
between trail users and land owners.
She is also currently chair of the Open Space Committee of
Hamilton, works with Appleton Farms, a property of the Trustees of
Reservations, and is on the National Council of the Land Trust Alliance.
Susanna lives on her family farm, Black Oak Farm with her
husband, and one of her sons and his family who hunt and play polo.
Susanna served as a member of the ELCR's Board of Directors from
2001 until 2003. She currently serves as a member of the ELCR-Breyer
Grant Selection Committee.
Edward (Denny) Emerson
Vermont & North Carolina
Denny's credentials include being a leading 3-Day Event rider since 1962, a 1974 World Championship Gold Medalist, a two time President of the United States Combined Training Association and serving as the Vice President for 3-Day Eventing for the United States Equestrian Team, as well as writing regularly for The Chronicle of the Horse and other magazines.
Julie I. Fershtman, Esq
Michigan
Julie I. Fershtman is a Shareholder with the Michigan law firm Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. (www.fosterswift.com), where her practice focuses on business litigation, insurance law, and equine law. Serving a national clientele on equine law matters, she is one of the nation's best-known and most experienced practitioners. She is the author of three books, including Equine Law & Horse Sense and MORE Equine Law & Horse Sense and has been a speaker at conventions in 27 states, including the American Horse Council, Equine Affaire, American Youth Horse Council, and the National Conference on Equine Law.
For her contributions to the equine industry, Julie received the Certified Horsemanship Association's "Partner in Safety" Award and American Riding Instructors Association's "Outstanding Achievement" Award. She is also one of very few lawyers nationwide to be named a Fellow of the American College of Equine Attorneys. She has been named a Michigan "Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics Magazine and a "2010 Leader in the Law" by Michigan Lawyer's Weekly. She is a past board member of the American Youth Horse Council and the Equine Land Conservation Resource.
Active in lawyer organization, she is 2010-2011 President-Elect of the 41,000-member State Bar of Michigan, a Vice-Chair of the ABA Animal Law Committee, and a member of the ABA House of Delegates. Her websites are www.fershtmanlaw.com and www.equinelaw.net.
Anthony Fleischmann
Pequannock, New Jersey
Anthony Fleischmann is the President of Reeves International, Inc. , a New Jersey corporation with offices in Pequannock, NJ, Wayne, NJ and Kennett Square, PA. Reeves International was founded by Swiss entrepreneur Werner J. Fleischmann in 1946 and entered the toy industry as the U.S. distributor of fine European toys and collectibles to toy specialty stores and fine department stores. In 1984, Reeves International acquired Breyer® Animal Creations®, a Chicago-based plastics manufacturing company which produced its first model horse in 1950 as a special order for the F.W. Woolworth Company. Today, under the Reeves International umbrella, Breyer® manufactures plastic, porcelain, and resin model horses, animals and accessories for play and collecting, and dominates the model horse market in volume, sales, distribution, innovation, and quality. Breyer® manufactures and ships approximately 5 million model horses each year.
In 1985 Fleischmann deferred his acceptance to Tufts University Veterinary School to help his father with the acquisition of Breyer Animal Creations®, and over the next decade the company grew to become the premiere brand of model horses and accessories. In 1998, Tony purchased Reeve’s International, Inc. from his father and continues to develop the business both domestically and internationally.
In 2008, Breyer® and the ELCR partnered to create a new program called the Breyer® Equine Land Conservation Resource Grant Project, which would fund grassroots organizations trying to preserve land for equine use at the local level. Each year, the grant is awarded at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, KY. As of spring 2011, Breyer will have provided a total of $30,000 for equine land conservation projects across the country.
Fleischmann adores animals and the "great outdoors", and is committed to animal welfare, animal-assisted therapeutic charities and children’s education and welfare. He spends his spare time running, kayaking, wilderness trekking and packing, horseback riding or by finding thrill in aerobic aviation.
Jeff Hooper
Fort Worth, Texas
Jeff Hooper of Forth Worth, Texas is the Executive Director of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) which promotes and celebrates the cutting horse, whose origin on Western ranches allows NCHA to support ranching and its western heritage. Formed on May 1, 1946 by a group of cowboys and ranchers, the NCHA has grown to currently include more than 21,000 members competing in 2,200 shows annually with total prize money exceeding $36 million.
Hooper's resume includes an incredible list of accomplishments in the horse industry, having served as a top executive for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. Prior to joining the NCHA, Hooper was a member of the Lone Star Park management team since August 1997. Lone Star Park is a $96 million facility offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing at a major league sports and entertainment complex. As vice president of administration and a member of the executive committee, his duties included directing all administrative functions of the facility, with a staff of 1,600 during peak season.
Prior to his involvement with Lone Star Park, Hooper, a Southern Methodist University graduate, served for nine years as executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.
Hooper has dedicated his life to working in various sectors of the equine industry and he understands and promotes the conservation of land for equine related activities and preservation of the western lifestyle. He is the proud father of two children: a son studying at Texas A&M University, and a daughter in high school.
Kat Imhoff
Montana
Katherine "Kat" Imhoff currently serves as the State Director for The Nature Conservancy in Montana. Previously, Imhoff was the vice president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc., which owns and operates Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in addition to posts as executive director for the Preservation Alliance of Virginia and vice president for conservation and development for the Piedmont Environmental Council. Imhoff holds bachelors and masters degrees in urban and environmental planning from the University of Virginia, and returned to teach planning there as well as landscape preservation at Gaucher College. In her appointment to the ELCR Advisory Council, Imhoff will bring expertise as a conservationist, planner, fund-raiser, and equestrian while serving as a bridge to conservation organizations.
A Utah native and former foxhunter who still enjoys riding and "beagling", Imhoff has lived and worked extensively across the country. Because of these experiences, Imhoff has a special perspective as to how land conservation efforts vary between states and regions. But she finds particular joy in her current role in Montana, and as part of her duties Imhoff oversees Pine Butte Ranch, a vacation destination offering riding and hiking on conserved land, which allows her to educate visitors about ongoing conservation efforts while expanding her understanding of tourism and its consequent economic impacts on land conservation.
Kerri Kent
Hood River, Oregon
Kerri Kent of Hood River, Oregon, is founder and president of KERRITS, a company specializing in sustainable equestrian apparel made exclusively from organic and recycled materials. Her journey began when Kent took $50 and her passion for windsurfing to the fabric store in hopes of designing a swimsuit for women that would stay in place. With this success, Kent opened her first retail store in downtown Hood River, OR in 1986. But Kent's wish was to expand into another of her passions - creating a performance apparel line for women who rode horses. The equestrian line followed the niche that made Kerrits swimsuits so popular – functional clothing that looked great too. Kerrits featured performance fabrics, brighter colors, and new styles never seen in equestrian fashion. In addition, Kent examined every aspect of her business from manufacturing and shipping practices, to product packaging and advertising strategies, in order to develop an earth-friendly business model.
In 2008, Kent launched Green Riding Apparel for Style and Sustainability (g.r.a.s.s.), the first solely environmentally friendly clothing line to the equestrian community. Her dedication to land conservation is made clear through Kerrits' involvement with "1% for the Planet", a global movement comprised of hundreds of companies that donate 1% of their annual sales to a network of more than 1,500 environmental organizations. Kerrits has earmarked their contribution to the ELCR to help advance the conservation of land for horse-related activities.
Kerri has been actively involved with horses since childhood. She has participated in various disciplines including jumpers, eventing and dressage. These days she can be found riding outdoors on a 40,000-acre cattle ranch in Washington and works diligently to allocate land for equestrian use.
Rick Potts
Virginia and Montana
Richard R. Potts II, more commonly known as "Rick," is the Chief of Conservation and Outdoor Recreation for the National Park Service. Rick has with NPS since 1984. Rick holds academic degrees in Animal Science (B.S., Pre-Veterinary) and Animal Nutrition /Wildlife Management M.S.). He is a wildlife biologist, and a graduate of the National Park Service Natural Resource Specialist Training Program. Rick is also professional trainer, facilitator and mediator.
Rick is responsible for administering five national programs for the National Parks Service: Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA); Wild & Scenic Rivers; National Trails System; Hydropower Assistance; and Challenge Cost Share. Through these programs, the NPS develops partnerships with communities and organizations across the country, and works cooperatively with them to develop outdoor recreational opportunities and resource conservation projects. He has lived and worked in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Southwest Alaska, Molokai, and Montana.
A longtime horseman, Rick is a professional Farrier, a licensed Montana Guide, a Certified Master Mule Packer, and a Certified Leave No Trace Stock Master.
Rick and his wife, Meridith, are owners of Painted Meadows Ranch, LLC that they started in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Meridith was training horses and mules as pack and saddle trail stock full time before moving East, where they now reside on a small horse farm in western Loudoun County Virginia.
William J. Price, V
Queen's Cup Steeplechase - North Carolina
Bill serves as President and CEO of Sonitrol Security Services, Inc., but his life's passions involve his family and horses. His personal "horse" interest is in racing Thoroughbreds. Following this passion, Bill became involved with steeplechase racing. He is carrying on the racing tradition as the founder and race chairman of the Queen's Cup Steeplechase. Bill has served as a Board member of the National Steeplechase Association and serves as the Race Chairman of the Queen's Cup Steeplechase. The Queen's Cup is run on the 300 acre farm Brooklandwood, of which 245 acres have been placed under permanent conservation easement. Bill is also a board member of the Catawba Lands Conservancy.
Rand Wentworth
President, Land Trust Alliance - Washington, DC
Rand is President of the Land Trust Alliance, a Washington, DC based land conservation organization that provides policy, lobbying, and training services for America's 1667 land trusts. Prior to joining the Land Trust Alliance in 2002, he was Vice President of the Trust for Public Land and founding director of its Atlanta office. Previously, Mr. Wentworth was president of a commercial real estate development company. He is a graduate of Yale University and holds an MBA in finance from Cornell University. He has testified before the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee and serves on the Ethics and Accountability Committee of the Independent Sector. The Atlanta Regional Commission presented Mr. Wentworth its Visionary Regional Leadership Award and the Urban Land Institute recognized him with its Community Leadership Award for creating a river greenway in Atlanta. Morehouse College has honored Mr. Wentworth for expanding the Martin Luther King Jr. National Park in downtown Atlanta.
James R. Wolf
United States Equestrian Federation -
Gladstone, New Jersey
James Wolf has many years of administrative and competitive experience in horse sports. Prior to joining the United States Equestrian Team (USET)/United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) staff full-time, he managed the United States Equestrian Team's three-day eventing squad at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, where he was responsible for the coordination of the training and preparation of the team. He served as the USET/USEF's Director of Eventing Activities from 1993 to 2004; Team Leader for the U.S. eventing teams at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games; 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games; 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games; and 1997 European Open Championships. In 2004, Wolf was appointed Executive Director, Sport Programs and is responsible for the development, planning and facilitation of all areas of the USEF's Sport Programs. Additionally, he has served as co-chef de mission at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games and as chef de mission for the entire U.S. equestrian delegation at the 2007 Pan American Games, 2002 and 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games and the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
"When I was a young boy, my father said, 'land is the most valuable thing you can have.......they are not making any more of it'. This certainly applies to the need for preserving open space. It is irreplaceable. Most of the important things in my life rely on access to undeveloped land. Whether it is horses or fly fishing, the access to land is critical."
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