USTA annual meetings starts today

Columbus, OH — The U.S. Trotting Association’s 2023 Board of Directors annual harness racing meeting is scheduled for Friday (March 10) through Sunday (March 12) at the Hilton Columbus at Easton hotel.

Registration begins at 2 p.m. on Friday with the Marketing and Communications Committee meeting being first on the agenda beginning at 5 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule leads off with the Executive Committee at 9 a.m. followed by the General Opening Session at 10:30 a.m. Following the call to order by Chairperson Joe Faraldo, the pledge of allegiance and roll call, new directors Rick Kane (District 7), Shawn Wiles (District 8) and Matt Sparacino (District 11) will be introduced. Wiles previously served on the Board from 2004 through 2017. Presentations from USTA President Russell Williams and Chairperson Faraldo will follow.

Next on the General Session agenda are elections for chairperson of the board between Faraldo and Don Marean and for vice-chairperson between Mark Loewe and Ivan Axelrod.

Following the elections and the acceptance of the new slate of officers, there will be reports from USTA Executive Vice President Mike Tanner and USTA Controller Dennis Fisher followed by sub-committee updates from the USTA Electronic Media Committee and the Standardbred Transition Alliance.

At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, the annual Recognition Luncheon will feature the presentation of the President’s Award to Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Executive Director Renée Mancino.

Saturday afternoon’s schedule includes meetings of the Racing and Registration Committees followed by an evening reception sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and Van Gundy Insurance Agency starting at 6 p.m.

Sunday kicks off with a meeting of the Finance Committee at 9 a.m. and Rules Committee at 10:30 a.m.

The General Closing Session starts at 11:30 a.m. where committee reports will be presented, the budget will be up for consideration, and President Williams will give his closing remarks before adjournment.

The agenda for the Board of Directors meeting is subject to change.

For daily news updates starting Friday, please visit the USTA website.

Also, follow all the up-to-date news on ustrotting.com and Facebook and Twitter pages. The hashtag #USTABOD23 will be used on social media throughout the meetings. A recording of the General Opening Session will be available on the USTA YouTube channel shortly after.

From the USTA