Lewisburg, Tenn. - After nearly 50 years of loyal and exemplary service, Sharon Brandon is retiring from the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) effective December 31, 2011. Employed by TWHBEA since 1962, Mrs. Brandon was elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer in 1966. She was only the third person to be elected to that position since the Association was founded in 1935. Most recently she has served as Registrar and Secretary of the Board of Directors.

For many, Sharon Brandon is the face of TWHBEA. As signatory on all registration papers for the past 45 years, her name is known to every Tennessee Walking Horse owner. A woman of tremendous heart and dedication, she has devoted herself to protecting and maintaining the integrity of our breed registry. She will be deeply missed by the entire industry and we wish her only the best as she begins a new phase of her life. Expressing his thoughts on this solemn yet hopeful transition, President Marty Irby relates, “I will miss seeing her beautiful smile each time I walk in the building, but always know that she is just a phone call away should we ever need her. If there were ever a ‘great matriarch’ of an organization, then it is Sharon Brandon. Her years of dedication, service and love of TWHBEA are unmatched by anyone our breed has ever seen.”

As the Association moves forward, effective January 1, 2012, Executive Director Ron Thomas will hold the official title of Registrar. Additionally, the Executive Committee is prepared to appoint an individual Secretary of the Board of Directors on January 7, 2012. Details of this appointment will be released as it occurs.