(LEWISBURG, Tenn. – June 24, 2013) - - -  Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) President Tracy Boyd has been named to succeed retiring Executive Director Ron Thomas as the association’s new Executive Director. Boyd was chosen by TWHBEA’s Executive Committee following Thomas’ recent announcement of his intention to retire from his present role.

Boyd was chosen as president of the 8,300-member organization, the official breed registry for the Tennessee Walking Horse, by its directors at their annual meeting last December. The question of his continued role as president has been deferred to the Association’s personnel committee for a final recommendation to the Executive Committee.

“I am honored and humbled to step into the role of executive director,” said Boyd. “TWHBEA holds a special place in my heart and I appreciate the confidence the Executive Committee has placed in me. In addition, I want to thank Ron Thomas for his leadership during the past two years. The Tennessee Walking Horse is the greatest breed of horse in the world, and I vow to continue to protect its welfare and promote its many wonderful qualities. I look forward to serving at the direction of our Executive Committee and our International Board of Directors and to acting in the best interest of the horse.”

Boyd, a lifelong breed enthusiast and lifetime member of TWHBEA, served as the Association’s executive assistant from 1997-2005, working directly under longtime Executive Director Bob Cherry as well as his successor, Charles Hulsey.

During his tenure, Boyd wrote a three-part video series on the breaking, training and shoeing of Tennessee Walking Horses. In addition, he wrote the copy for TWHBEA’s promotional video, Possibilities. He was instrumental in planning and securing walking horses for the Opryland Hotel exhibition of the breed. He has also represented the association throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe promoting the breed through horse show development and organizing exhibitions, educational clinics, training clinics and judging clinics.

Outside of his role at TWHBEA, Boyd has worked in the breeding division of Waterfall Farm and has served as the breeding manager at Rising Star Ranch, two of the premier breeding facilities in the walking horse industry. In addition, he has held an AAAA judge’s license and has officiated horse shows in Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Ohio and Canada.

 “I can think of no other person more qualified to step into this role than Tracy,” said retiring Executive Director Ron Thomas. “No one else possesses his level of knowledge of our association and breed history, his understanding of the complexities of the industry and his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the success of this horse.”

In addition to his seven years serving under two executive directors, Boyd has been elected to the board of directors on two separate occasions, has served two terms as vice president of the horse shows division and is currently serving his first term as president.

“Tracy has a clear understanding of TWHBEA’s role in the industry and its policies and procedures,” continued Thomas. “He is also familiar with our current staff, which should make for a seamless transition.”

“Considering the present circumstances of our industry and our association and the need for decisive action in light of Ron Thomas’ announcement of his decision to retire, I am convinced appropriate action was taken in the best interests of TWHBEA,” said TWHBEA Senior Vice President Loyd Hall Black, Jr. “When events converge to combine a clear need with an exceptional opportunity, the path for that decisive action is obvious.”

Boyd will begin his new duties immediately,however, Thomas will remain at TWHBEA through July to assist in the transition.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA), headquartered in Lewisburg, Tennessee, is the oldest and most prestigious organization devoted to the promotion of the breed. Founded in 1935, the breed registry was established to record the pedigrees of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Its goal is to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare.