from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — In order to provide comprehensive information on each of the 12 candidates for the elections of five officers that will take place at the U.S. Trotting Association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas on Feb. 27, the USTA’s website, www.ustrotting.com, will launch new election information pages on Tuesday (Jan. 31).

The information that was submitted by the candidates will contain a biography, candidate’s platform and contact information on each of them. Among the 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.

Following are the candidates for the five open USTA officer’s positions (in alphabetical order):

USTA President
Fred (Freddie) Hudson
Ryan Macedonio
Joe Pennacchio
Jason Settlemoir
Russell Williams

USTA Chairman of the Board
Ivan Axelrod
Gabe Wand

USTA Vice-Chairman of the Board
Alan Leavitt
Don Marean
Steve Oldford

USTA Treasurer
Dick Brandt Jr.

USTA Secretary
Sally Stauffer

Elections for chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary are held on an annual basis, while presidential elections occur every four years.

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 an election to replace him. 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.