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  • Two At Large Seats Filled on AHC Board of Trustees

TWO AT LARGE SEATS FILLED ON AHC BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jean Ligon

April 26, 2018

(Washington, DC)—The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to announce that Jean Ligon, Chair of the Coalition of State Horse Councils (CSHC), and Billy Smith, Executive Director of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), have been selected to the two at-large seats on the AHC’s Board of Trustees. Announced in September 2017, the addition of the two at-large seats came after a review of a task force formed to review the AHC’s overall governance structure and ensure relevancy and best practices.

“We look forward to working with the new additions to the Board of Trustees,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “Both of them bring different perspectives to the current makeup of the trustees, and combined with their extensive backgrounds in the equine industry they will be helpful in guiding the AHC through its strategic plan and through industry issues the next two years.”

Filling the first seat is Jean Ligon, the current Chair of the Coalition of State Horse Councils, and President Elect of the Michigan Horse Council. “The American Horse Council is instrumental to the health and well-being of the equine industry, not only on the national stage, but on the state and local level as well,” said Ms. Ligon.  “I am honored to serve as CSHC’s representative on the AHC Board of Trustees.  I hope I can provide a valuable viewpoint on the issues that come before it and serve as a strong channel for the Board to reach and improve the horse industry at the state and grassroots levels.”

Ms. Ligon has been an avid lifelong equestrian and was an Arabian horse breeder for more than 25 years. Since returning to school in 1988 to earn her law degree, she has limited her equestrian activities to keeping a few pleasure horses at home for recreational riding on Michigan’s horse trails. This soon led her to become an advocate of equestrian interests in zoning and land use, which she remains to this day.  She has served on her township’s planning commission since 2003, and is currently its secretary, a post she has held for a number of years. During her tenure, in 2005, her township developed the first Master Plan in Michigan that openly acknowledged the economic and other benefits a strong equestrian presence in the Township brought to the local community. Ligon has also been a featured speaker at seminars on various legal topics and has authored numerous articles in legal publications and the general press on land use and zoning issues, especially as related to preservation of open spaces, recreational trails, suburban horsekeeping, and other equestrian issues.

Billy Smith

Elected to the second seat, Billy Smith is the current Executive Director of the APHA- the world’s second largest equine breed association, with more than 50,000 worldwide members. Mr. Smith graduated in 1984 from the University of North Texas with degrees in business and journalism, and in 1989 with a master’s degree from Texas Tech University in public relations and advertising and completed a doctorate in education in 1999. He spent 8 years as a practicing journalist covering medical and scientific subjects as well as a stint covering the closing of wars in both El Salvador and Nicaragua. He taught journalism for 10 years at West Texas A&M University and led a small market research firm, Strategic Media Research, before joining the American Quarter Horse Association where he served as executive director of information technology and various marketing roles for 13 years. His is married to Melinda Kay Moreland, a 1984 graduate of Baylor University and has two children, Lauren, an attorney in New York City and a graduate of Baylor University and Hunter, a member of the United States Marine Corp.

“I’m grateful for all of the support APHA has received in the past from its association with the American Horse Council,” said Mr. Smith. “In being elected to the Board, I’m hopeful to give something back as we work to address challenges facing the industry as a whole.”

Information about the Governance structure of the AHC can be found on the AHC’s website here: https://www.horsecouncil.org/governance/. Please contact the AHC at info@horsecouncil.org for any further questions.

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    Lynda is the membership and communications specialist for the American Horse Council. Lynda grew up in Pasadena, Maryland with a passion for horses. She relocated to San Diego, California, where her dream of owning and riding horses came true. Lynda has worked with several law enforcement mounted units and has participated in several national and international horse associations.

    Lynda believes horses play a major role in our society from therapy horses helping children learn to walk again, to helping military veterans and emergency service personnel learn to cope with stress, to keeping our parks and cities safe through law enforcement mounted units. Along with our equine partners assisting in burial services at Arlington National Cemetery. Horses impact our lives in ways others cannot.

    Lynda believes the horse industry as a whole needs to have a voice and working at the American Horse Council is a way for her to help and keep the industry alive and informed.

    Interested in a Free Microchip for your Horse?

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    Cliff Williamson is the Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs for the American Horse Council based in Washington D.C.

    He grew up in Reva, VA on his family’s horse farm, participating in both horse and livestock 4-H activities. In 2008 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal Science, where he was an active member of both the animal science club Block & Bridle as well as the agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. After graduation he spent 27 months in Nicaragua with the Peace Corps for their Food Security Program. Upon his return to the United States he spent four years in the animal export industry as the Director of Animal Logistics for T.K. Exports, Inc. In that time he was honored to be appointed to a seat on the Board of Directors for the Culpeper chapter of the Farm Bureau Federation.

    For information regarding any equine health issues, welfare issues, and state, federal and international requirements regarding the movement of horses, please contact Cliff. 

    cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org

    Bryan Brendle is the Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the AHC.

    For information regarding public policy, government relations and advocacy, please contact Bryan.

    bbrendle@horsecouncil.org

    With over 30 years of leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, Julie holds a BS, MBA, Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership  and is Certified Association Executive®. She’s a life-long horse enthusiast ranging from recreational rider, breeder, and show competitor. A native of NC, she and her husband now reside in DC along with their Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Morgan horses.

    In her down time she enjoys volunteering (she’s president of the board of PATH International), horseback riding, gardening and cooking. “I’m passionate about the equine industry because horses have enhanced my life and well-being so profoundly,” said Julie. “Working at the AHC is a way to give back to the equine community and ensure the long term health of the industry.”

    jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

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