U.S. Equestrian Federation President Murray Kessler, who led a transformation of the organization, won’t be running again after his term expires at the beginning of next year. It was predictable–he has accomplished a lot over the last three years, he took a job as CEO of a pharmaceutical company and he got remarried last fall.
Explaining his decision, Murray offered a statement, “The reason is simple: my professional circumstances have changed. While I am confident that I can successfully balance my leadership positions at both USEF and at Perrigo, a multi-national company, as its President and Chief Executive Officer for my final year as USEF President, I believe this would be difficult to sustain for the long term.
“Over the last three years, we have brought about significant changes to USEF through implementation of our Strategic Plan, including growing membership, sponsorship and advertising, revamping leadership, bringing on new coaches, relocating our headquarters, outsourcing the laboratory, implementing Safe Sport, regaining our place as a global powerhouse in international high performance, winning our first Para-Medals in years, and much, much more.
USEF President Murray Kessler
“I won’t say my goodbyes yet. I will save that for this time next year when my term ends. In the meantime, we have a lot to do to keep the great momentum we have created together for USEF over the last three years!”
It will be interesting to see the candidates the nominating committee comes up with as options to replace Murray, but it seems likely the choice will be Tom O’Mara. He has taken the lead on a number of key issues, including the successful transition of the troubled USEF drug testing program to a partnership with the University of Kentucky. He is a doer and a man of vision who could continue the impressive progress that has been made by USEF under Murray’s leadership.