Pendergrass Promoted to Sr. VP for Policy and Legislative Affairs
Julie Broadway, the executive director of the American Morgan Horse Association & Educational-Charitable Trust since 2007, has been named president of the American Horse Council, succeeding Jay Hickey, who is retiring June 30, 2016.
Ben Pendergrass, who has served as the horse council’s vice president of government affairs since 2008, has been named senior vice president for policy and legislative affairs.
Both announcements were made today by Dr. Jerry Black, chairman of the American Horse Council’s board of trustees and the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Chair in Equine Sciences at Colorado State University.
The American Horse Council, founded in 1969 as a Washington D.C.-based national association representing all segments of the horse industry, promotes and protects all horse breeds, disciplines and interests by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry itself.
“Julie brings with her a rich blend of experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and familiarity with the role and goals of the American Horse Council and we believe her leadership abilities will ensure that our organization successfully handles both the opportunities and the challenges that lie ahead,” said Dr. Black in making the announcement.
Broadway earned Bachelor of Science degrees in industrial relations and psychology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from the Weems Graduate School at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She is also a graduate of the Duke University Advanced Nonprofit Leadership Program, and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) from American Society of Association Executives.
In addition to her extensive leadership experience, including most recently her nine years at the Vermont-based AMHA, she is the current board president for the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship and has played an active role with the American Horse Council and the U.S. Equestrian Federation over the course of the past several years.
Broadway will participate in the American Horse Council’s annual meeting in Washington D.C. and start her official duties July 1, 2016.
“I’m honored and I’m grateful to the board of trustees for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization,” Broadway said. “It is a privilege to be part of an organization that advocates on behalf of the equine industry and works to unify the equine industry.”
Prior to joining the American Morgan Horse Association & Educational-Charitable Trust, she provided management consulting services to several firms and served in several leadership roles in the energy industry including Executive Vice President of an energy technology firm.
Pendergrass, a graduate of Tulane University and a former legislative aide to Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, has been primarily responsible for advancing the legislative and regulatory priorities of the AHC, chiefly relating to agricultural policy, immigration policy, appropriations, equine welfare and environmental issues. He has also played a key role with tax and gaming issues at the American Horse Council.
“Ben has ably worked on behalf of the horse industry for many years, and made many friends for the horse industry both inside and outside the Washington Beltway. We are pleased that he will continue to lead the AHC’s government relations efforts on the Hill and with federal agencies. This promotion recognizes his experience and achievements, and his added responsibilities going forward.” Black said.
The American Horse Council’s 2016 Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum is scheduled for June 12-15, 2016 at Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC. Additional information about the annual meeting and the organization is available at ahcbeta.flywheelsites.com.
