NEWS RELEASE
April 3, 2018
Contact: Cathy O’Meara, (859) 224-2702
ROAP Board Elects Officers for 2018-2020 Term; Announces Two New Board Members
Lexington, KY – The Racing Officials Accreditation Program’s (ROAP) board of directors elected its 2018-2020 officers during its March 27 board meeting and appointed two new board members.
Dan Fick, a ROAP-accredited steward and previously ROAP vice chairman, was elected ROAP chairman; Wendy Davis, director at the University of Arizona and previously ROAP secretary, was elected ROAP vice chairman; Jennifer Durenberger, ROAP-accredited steward and NYRA chief examining veterinarian, was elected ROAP secretary; and Kristin Leshney, senior counsel at The Jockey Club, was re-elected treasurer.
Fick, the newly appointed chair, extends a thank-you to Hugh Gallagher for his service to ROAP as chairman over the past six years. Gallagher will remain as a ROAP director. Fick also expressed, “I look forward to focusing my efforts on helping fulfill our mission to provide educational opportunities and resources for horse racing officials for all breeds.”
In addition to officer elections, two board members were appointed: John Campbell as an at-large director and Dr. Camie Heleski representing the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine department.
Campbell, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society and member of the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame, brings a strong Harness background to the board. “The board is excited to have more Harness input, and Mr. Campbell’s depth in the industry in unmatched,” said Fick.
At the meeting, the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine department was added as a member organization on the ROAP board and selected Dr. Heleski as its representative. Dr. Heleski brings a strong education background to the board, including distance learning expertise, to further ROAP’s mission to provide quality education to our horse racing officials.
ROAP also would like to offer condolences to the family of board member Ned Bonnie, who passed in March. Mr. Bonnie was a long-standing ROAP board member and had a strong passion for our officials. Mr. Bonnie advocated for qualified and well-compensated officials, and also brought his broad industry knowledge to the ROAP board.
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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 18 industry organizations and eight at-large representatives. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program. The website address for ROAP is horseracingofficials.com.