Columbus, OH – The U.S. Trotting Association Board of Directors, which saw its annual, in-person conference slated for the past weekend canceled due to the international public health crisis, convened telephonically on Monday afternoon (March 16) in a first step to work through the meeting’s extensive agenda.  The session was led by outgoing Chairman of the Board Ivan Axelrod, who is not seeking re-election.

USTA Executive VP Mike Tanner (right) and USTA staff listen to President Russell Williams during Monday’s Board of Directors conference call. Mark Hall/USTA Photo.

The session, which was attended by 51 of the Association’s 59 current directors, began with a moment of silence for John Brennan, the longtime USTA board member who passed away last week from complications caused by the coronavirus.  USTA District 8A Chairman Joe Faraldo, a close friend and associate of Mr. Brennan, eulogized his colleague with a few minutes of heartfelt remembrances before the tribute.

President Russell Williams then delivered brief remarks before the Board proceeded into the business part of its program.

By unanimous consent, the Board voted to seat the following eight newly elected directors:

Jason Bluhm and Kevin Greenfield (District 1)
Joe  Zambito (District 6)
Todd Haight, Mike Torcello and Scott Warren (District 8)
Alex Dadoyan and Bob Miecuna (District 8A)

Seven are new to the Board while Alex Dadoyan rejoins the group.

Sally Stauffer also was approved by acclamation for a third one-year term as Secretary of the Association.

Chairman Axelrod proposed that officer elections take place using traditional paper ballots, which will be sent via overnight delivery to all directors this week and must be returned for tabulation to the Association’s contracted accounting firm by Friday (March 27).  It is anticipated that election results will be announced on or about April 1.  Upon a motion by Jason Settlemoir that was seconded by Jim Miller, the electoral plan was approved without objection.

There are three races being contested, with Joe Faraldo and Don Marean vying to be the next USTA chairman, Mark Loewe and Gabe Wand running for vice-chairman, and Donald “Skip” Hoovler and Jim Miller seeking the treasurer’s office.  All candidates were invited to give brief remarks during the call.

Individual committee meetings will take place within the next few weeks, at which rule change proposals will be reviewed and decided, and a formal budget for 2020 presented.  It is expected that the Board will convene again by teleconference for final approval and adoption of those items by May 1.