For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jade Eisenzimmer
(859) 224-2702
RACING OFFICIALS ACCREDITATION PROGRAM HIRES JADE EISENZIMMER AS COORDINATOR AND JOINS THE NTRA ADVANTAGE PROGRAM
Lexington, Ky. (September 18, 2019) — The Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) has hired Jade Eisenzimmer as its full-time coordinator, responsible for the daily management of ROAP educational programs, coordination of the ROAP board and standing committee organization and meetings, and regular communications with racing officials, stewards, and judges.
Jade is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program with previous studies in equine science from North Dakota State and information technology from Minnesota State Community and Technical College. While attending the University of Arizona, Jade interned with Canterbury Park, Breeders’ Cup, and Rillito Park. Most recently, Jade worked for Taylor Made Sales, and prior to attending the University of Arizona, she worked as a royalties analyst for Archway Marketing Services at Microsoft.
ROAP Board Chair Dan Fick said, “Jade brings an excellent background in both horse racing and information technology to ROAP, both of which will give her a leg up on coordinating the daily activities and communicating with racing officials, tracks, commissions, and our board member organizations.”
Jade is based at The Jockey Club in Lexington, Ky. Cathy O’Meara will continue to work with ROAP as ROAP manager in addition to her role as manager Industry Initiatives at The Jockey Club.
The ROAP board of directors entered into an agreement with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) that will allow horse racing officials that have participated in ROAP schools, certificate courses, and continuing education sessions to be eligible for member benefits from the NTRA Advantage Program.
NTRA Advantage facilitates the sale of products and services to more than 1 million eligible equine industry participants at prices well below market rate. Since the inception of NTRA Advantage in 2002, industry participants have made $950 million in purchases, resulting in $175 million in savings. In addition, a portion of every sale is reinvested in the equine community.
Fick said, “We are very pleased that our stewards, judges, and racing officials who have completed a ROAP-recognized education program will now be able to receive the products and services through the NTRA Advantage Program.”
“NTRA Advantage has been providing significant discounts on essential products and services to members of the equine community since 2002,” added Jeffrey Burch, SVP NTRA Advantage.
“John Deere, Sherwin Williams, Office Depot, Suncast Commercial, and Red Brand Fencing are some of our proud partners. The addition of ROAP members, a key segment of the Thoroughbred community, is another step forward for the NTRA Advantage Program, and we are thrilled to be at their service.”
The NTRA, based in Lexington, Ky., is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders consisting of horseplayers, racetrack operators, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement and corporate partner development. The NTRA owns and manages the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance; NTRA.com; the Eclipse Awards; the National Handicapping Championship; NTRA Advantage, a corporate partner sales and sponsorship program; and Horse PAC®, a federal political action committee. NTRA press releases appear on NTRA.com, Twitter (@ntra) and Facebook (facebook.com/1NTRA).
The mission of ROAP is to accredit and provide continuing education to all racing officials, stewards and judges in the horse racing industry. By doing so ROAP is enhancing the image and upholding the integrity of horse racing at all levels.
ROAP, which receives primary funding from The Jockey Club and is based in its Kentucky office, is a 501(c)(6) organization whose board of directors is made up of representatives from 17 industry organizations and ten at-large representatives. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program. The website address for ROAP is horseracingofficials.com.
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