LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2014) — David. L. Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTA/KTOB), will retire from the organization after 21 years as its head. His retirement is effective Aug. 1.
Chauncey Morris, recently re-patriated from Australia and the former Director of Business Development for the KTA/KTOB, has been selected by the board to be his successor.
Associated with the Thoroughbred industry since 1958, working in both the breeding and racing sectors, Switzer has steered the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders through numerous milestone events. The organization has accomplished a number of important objectives since 2000.
Some of these include the successful negotiation with Churchill Downs and Keeneland for the highest percentage of revenue to purses from all sources; in partnership with Kentucky’s race tracks, established Scholarship Day in which 446 full-time college students have shared in $446,000 toward their tuition; Kentucky Thoroughbred Association became a founding member and funding source for the RMTC in an effort to develop and promote uniform medication and testing standards at the national level; played a vital role during the Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome crisis and established the KTOB Foundation to fund research pertinent to reproductive issues; initiated the Vision 2020 Group to engage and educate young industry individuals between the ages of 20-40; was instrumental in securing $28 million from the General Assembly for the renovation of the Livestock Disease and Diagnostic Lab at UK; played a significant role in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive and the Purchase of Development Rights programs.
“I think that I speak for all Kentucky owners and breeders in saying we owe a heartfelt debt of gratitude to David,” said Clifford Barry, president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders. “His contributions to the Thoroughbred industry leave a lasting legacy of which we can all be very proud.”
As executive director, Switzer has worked quietly behind the scenes on a multitude of important initiatives in the Thoroughbred industry. Under his tenure, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association has been very cautious and careful with the funds with which it has been entrusted.
Morris, a University of Louisville graduate, recently spent the past two-and-one-half years as the chief executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse Marketing, achieving a dramatic increase in the export markets and investment in the Australian Thoroughbred industry. Morris also brings extensive experience in Frankfort, having previously served in the governor’s office as the project analyst and advisor for the Agricultural Development Fund.
“I’m pleased to welcome Chauncey,” Barry said. “I can’t think of a better fit to use his many strengths to build on David’s successes.”
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