Incumbent Roland faces Carey, Harmelink in Membership Director election
Columbus, OH — Ballots for the USTA District 4A membership election were sent to all district members on Monday (Oct. 28).
Per Article 4.02(f) of the association bylaws, completed ballots must be mailed and postmarked by Tuesday (Dec. 10) to the accounting firm of Plante Moran in Columbus, Ohio. Completed ballots must be placed in the white ballot envelope and mailed in the green business reply envelope that is addressed to Plante Moran. Each member’s signature is also required on the business reply envelope, as marked.
The seat for membership director for district 4A — which is comprised of the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas — is currently held by Royal Roland. He is being challenged by Mary Carey-Kilburg and Dr. Marcia Harmelink.
Royal Roland, the incumbent, is from Grinnell, Iowa, and is a veteran driver-trainer. He has represented District 4A as a USTA director since 2010. Mr. Roland has served as president of the Iowa Harness Horsemen’s Association and as a board member for the Keokuk County Fair.
Mary Carey-Kilburg is a third generation horseperson residing in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Mrs. Carey, along with her husband, Keevyn, has a small broodmare band, and raises, races and sells horses eligible in Iowa and multiple other states.
Dr. Marcia Harmelink of Perry, Kansas, is a semi-retired veterinarian and a second-generation harness horsewoman. Her professional career was spent in veterinary practice in Milwaukee and Denver, and at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, retiring in 2017. Dr. Harmelink grew up in northwest Iowa racing at fairs with her father, and has become very involved in harness racing again, as an owner, since her corporate retirement.
Election results will be announced in early January.
For ballot or election questions, please contact Michele Kopiec, Corporate Secretary, at michele.kopiec@ustrotting.com.