Dr. Jerry Black was elected chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Horse Council at the AHC’s annual meeting in Washington, DC on June 15. The AHC represents the horse industry before Congress and the federal regulatory agencies in Washington.
Dr. Black is the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Chair in Equine Sciences and is the Director of the Equine Reproduction Laboratory and the Equine Science Undergraduate Program at Colorado State University. He is a 1971 graduate of the veterinary school at CSU.
“I am honored to serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Horse Council,” Black said. “The AHC board is representative of the equine industry and is well positioned to lead the AHC in its mission of representing the various breeds, disciplines, and activities in dealing with the many issues that come before Congress and the federal regulatory agencies. Like the industry itself, the AHC board is diverse and includes individuals from all sectors of the horse industry.”
“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Black as the Chair of the AHC,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “His broad background in the horse industry, not only with our industry’s veterinarians, but also with the Quarter Horse and cutting horse industry, is a great asset to the AHC. His experience with many sectors of the industry is unique. He has also been involved with the AHC for many years, including chairing the animal welfare committee and serving three years as vice-chairman.”
Black is a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and a past president of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association. He is a director of the American Quarter Horse Association and serves on the AQHA’s Animal Welfare Commission. Black is the immediate past chairman of the AAEP’s Welfare and Public Policy Council and is also the Chair of the Medication Review Committee for the National Cutting Horse Association.
Black has received the distinguished alumnus award from Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and is an American Association of Equine Practitioners Distinguished Life Member.
Black succeeds Jim Shoemake. “Jim did a great job for the AHC and its members, and we appreciate his service,” said Hickey.
Jim Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, was elected AHC vice chair. Gagliano has been with The Jockey Club since 2005. He has extensive experience in the racing industry with Magna Entertainment Corporation, Greenwood Racing, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
Gagliano has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College.
“On a daily basis, the American Horse Council looks out for and acts in the best interest of the equine industry, and I am honored to serve as vice chairman for such a widely respected industry organization,” said Gagliano.
“Both Dr. Black and Jim Gagliano have been AHC Trustees for some time. They know the issues the AHC must deal with, have broad experience in various sectors of the horse industry, and will step right into their new roles,” said Hickey. “We are fortunate to have them.”
For more information on the American Horse Council and its mission, please visit its website at www.horsecouncil.org.
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day. The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen’s associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.