L-R: Neil Agate and Amanda Stover.

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) today announced the election of new officers as well as the creation of an advisory council, a body of non-governing individuals representing an array of backgrounds and professional experience chosen to help enhance the RRP’s execution of its charitable mission.

Existing board member Neil Agate was confirmed as board chair earlier this Spring when personal obligations required previous chair, Richard Lamb, to step back from the officer position. Lamb is still completing his second term serving on the board of directors.

Neil’s background includes extensive entrepreneurial and non-profit leadership experience, having founded multiple businesses and served as president of the Maryland Horse Council during the formation of the Maryland Equine Transition Service and acquisition of the Equiery publication. A native of Great Britain and avid polo player, Neil also serves on the board of the British American Business Association and is a member of the United States Polo Association’s Equine Safety Committee. A long-time friend of RRP’s founder, Steuart Pittman, Neil’s involvement with the RRP dates back to its earliest years and he has competed in the Polo division of the Thoroughbred Makeover multiple times.

“I have enjoyed being part of the RRP during the first ten years as a volunteer and competitor,” said Neil. “I am extremely honored to be asked to help shepherd the organization as board chair and I am looking forward to working with our great team of staff and volunteers to keep the RRP ecosystem growing and vibrant.”

Amanda Stover was elected to the board of directors and confirmed for the secretary position, taking over for Malinda Lawrence who has joined the advisory council. Amanda is a licensed attorney with many years of regulatory experience both in the insurance and biotechnology industries. She has worked extensively with contracts and intellectual property and started two businesses of her own: a health coaching company and a target-grazing operation utilizing goats. Amanda has volunteered extensively at the Thoroughbred Makeover and also serves on the board of the Iowa Nebraska Hunter Jumper Association. Newly elected board members may serve two consecutive three-year terms.

“I am a long-time enthusiast of the RRP and honored to serve the organization in this capacity,” said Amanda. “I look forward to helping them as they grow and continue all the inspiring work they do for these incredible horses.”

The formation of the advisory council allows the RRP to engage a variety of professionals in an ongoing, consultative fashion without the full governance obligations of becoming board members. Based on their skillset, advisory council members may serve on an ad hoc basis or sit on specific board subcommittees alongside board and staff members. Members of the newly-established advisory council have experience in nonprofit leadership, racetrack corporate offices, human resources, marketing, communications, brand strategy, finance, legal, corporate sales, breeding and bloodstock, regional racing jurisdictions, higher education, association management, risk management, racing ownership syndicates, strategic planning and development, and more.

“We’re pleased to grow the community of individuals who help to inform the RRP’s approach to issues relating to development, marketing, governance, and strategic planning,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “The RRP has reached a stage in organizational maturation where it has firmly established itself as an integral part of the national aftercare industry and as we look to build upon our impact, it’s essential that we are seeking expertise from a broad range of individuals who not only have the skills we need but also represent the communities that we serve.”

You can learn more about the RRP’s board of directors and advisory council members at therrp.org/board-members and therrp.org/advisory-council respectively.