from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — When the official deadline for declaration to run to be a U.S. Trotting Association officer passed at 4:30 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 27), there were 12 candidates for the five open officer positions. Among those candidates are five for USTA president, two for chairman of the board, three for vice-chairman of the board and one each for treasurer and secretary.

Fred (Freddie) Hudson, Ryan Macedonio, Joe Pennacchio, Jason Settlemoir and Russell Williams are running for USTA president. The election for president had not been scheduled until 2019, but when former President Phil Langley announced his resignation effective at the end of 2016, it required this election. Current USTA Chairman of the Board Ivan Axelrod has been serving as interim president since Jan. 1, 2017 in accordance with USTA Bylaws. Therefore, the presidential election winner will complete the remainder of Langley’s term through 2018 and there will be another election in 2019.

The other four officer elections are held on an annual basis.

In the race for chairman of the board, Gabe Wand will contest the incumbent, Axelrod. The three candidates for vice-chairman are Alan Leavitt, Don Marean and Steve Oldford. In the other two races, incumbent Dick Brandt will run unopposed for treasurer and Sally Stauffer will be the only candidate for secretary to replace Barbara Brooks, who retired at the end of 2016 after 62 years of service at the USTA.

The elections for the five officers will take place at the USTA annual meeting on Monday (Feb. 27) at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Voting in each of those elections will be conducted among USTA Board members in attendance at the meeting.

Next week, the USTA will launch a special election section on www.ustrotting.com with information on each of the candidates, which will include their bios, candidate’s platforms and contact information.