Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Harness Tracks of America (HTA) has announced that Fred Noe, executive vice president of the USTA, has been named the 2005 recipient of their Distinguished Service Award.

The HTA release notes that Noe’s, “Twelve-year stewardship transformed USTA into a modernized, computerized and highly efficient service organization….Noe’s tenure has been marked by unprecedented goodwill and close cooperation between USTA and HTA and resulting progress in the industry. One of the most involved of all men to serve in the post, Noe immersed himself in harness racing after leaving as president and CEO of Stihl Inc, where he served for 15 years. He became an avid amateur driver and visited breeding farms and racetracks across the country and overseas, and won international respect for his involvement and dedication to the sport, and for his accomplishments in bringing the USTA into the 21st century as an industry leader.”

The HTA Distinguished Service Award will be presented at HTA’s joint meeting with the Thoroughbred Racing Association at the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, California on March 11.