America’s Horse, March 10, 2009 – Don Treadway is the new executive vice president of AQHA, effective March 9, 2009. AQHA, the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization, is headquartered in Amarillo, Texas. Don succeeds Bill Brewer, who retired from AQHA.
During his 35-year employment at AQHA, Don has been responsible for directing all marketing, communications and development plans for Association programs including publicity, advertising, membership and customer services, youth activities and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association, corporate sponsors, AQHA-sponsored programs, AQHA affiliates and public policy. Under Don’s leadership, AQHA’s corporate partner program grew from zero to more than $9 million in contributions to Association programs and services.
“I definitely have big boots to fill,” Don said. “When Bill became executive vice president, AQHA needed someone with the management skills, passion for the product and political savvy to move the Association forward. He was the right person at the right time.
“Bill was a great teacher for all of us here. He had amazing knowledge of all aspects of our business. There is only one Bill Brewer, and it will take several of us working as a team to fill the void now that he has retired,” he said.
“I am looking forward to continuing many of the programs Bill inaugurated during his tenure as well as introducing some exciting new initiatives to keep us moving forward.”
A native of Newkirk, Oklahoma, where his family farmed and ranched, Don graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1974 with a degree in agricultural journalism.
He was hired by AQHA in August 1974 as a public relations assistant, was named director of public relations in 1977, senior director of marketing services in 1992, executive director of marketing and membership services in 2000, and senior executive director of marketing and membership services in August 2007.
“We all welcome Don to his new position,” said AQHA President Jim Helzer of Arlington, Texas. “He comes highly energized, with new ideas, and skillfully trained by Bill. His experience in AQHA will help lead us to new and higher expectations. He is very membership oriented, always looking for ways to get everyone involved. Additionally, he is very budget conscious. In today’s turbulent economy, we must be very good custodians of our money, and we can count on Don to help us increase our revenue while paying particular attention to our expenses. He has been very skillful in obtaining and retaining our corporate sponsors, which are critical to our operating budget.”
Don and his wife, Robbyn, have a son, Jeff, who lives in Houston with wife Melissa; and a daughter, Stacey, who will graduate in May 2009 fromTexas A & M University in College Station, Texas.
The AQHA executive vice president, considered the chief operating officer of the 330,000-member Association, reports directly to the five-member AQHA Executive Committee, which manages Association business.
AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.
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