(left to right) Kasey Kesselring, Thom Meek, Tom Kakassy, Denise Bader, Nicole Tolle, Lyn Montgomery, Amanda Wright, Bill Stricklend, Lance Meisenheimer, Dale Daniels, Nathan Clark, & David Williams
The TWHBEA International Board of Directors has elected the Executive Committee members who will serve the association in the coming year. All were elected to two-year terms except Amanda Wright and David Williams, who each have one year left in their Board terms and are ineligible to run again due to term limits. Denise Bader will also be up for election for her Board seat next year but remains eligible to run again.
Newly Elected Executive Committee Members:
- Amanda Wright – President
- David Williams – Senior Vice-President
- Kasey Kesselring – Admin/Fiscal/Audit Vice-President
- Denise Bader – International Vice-President
- Dale Daniels – Marketing & Communications Vice-President
- Thom Meek – Trainers Vice-President
These newly elected members will serve alongside the following individuals, each of whom has one year remaining on their current Executive Committee term:
- Bill Stricklend – Advocacy Vice-President
- Tom Kakassy – Bylaws & Enforcement Vice-President
- Nathan Clark – Membership & Registry Vice-President
- Lance Meisenheimer – Show Horse Vice-President
- Lyn Montgomery – Versatility & Trail Vice-President
- Nicole Tolle – Youth Vice-President
Jack Heffington will serve as Immediate Past President.
After the International Board of Directors meeting, the newly seated Executive Committee held its first meeting. During this meeting, Kasey Kesselring submitted his resignation from the Executive Committee. Kesselring will continue his service on the International Board of Directors. The Executive Committee accepted his resignation and appointed Kim Leonard of Wisconsin to fill the vacancy. Leonard had unsuccessfully challenged Kesselring from the floor earlier during the Board meeting. She will serve effective immediately and continue in that role until the next regular election in December 2026.
“On behalf of the entire Association, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Kasey for his exceptional service to TWHBEA,” says President Amanda Wright. “Kasey has been a dedicated leader whose expertise, professionalism, and steady guidance have strengthened our organization in meaningful ways. We are grateful for all he has contributed to the Executive Committee and are pleased that he will continue to serve on the International Board.”
The Executive Committee also appointed Ashlyn Avent to serve as Secretary. Ashlyn is also the Director of Finance and Operations for the association.
