The U.S. Equestrian Federation Nominating Committee announced on May 2 that, in accordance with the USEF Bylaws, they notified the Board of Directors of their decision to nominate Murray Kessler for President.

This election will occur on June 21 at the Mid-Year Board meeting.

The Committee noted that Kessler’s Expression of Interest packet and interview clearly demonstrated his high level of enthusiasm and clear strategic direction for the USEF and its affiliates. He and his family have been involved in horse sports for their entire lives at both the national and international level. His education, training and professional accomplishments have provided him a broad skill set that lends itself perfectly to the leadership position of USEF President.

Notably, Kessler recently retired from his job, lives in Lexington, Ky., and has the time to dedicate to representing the USEF in this capacity. The Committee believes that Kessler will be an exceptional USEF President.

Kessler made a career as a businessman, most recently acting as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive officer of Lorillard, Inc., a tobacco company. He oversaw the sale of Lorillard to Reynolds American in June 2015, after which he retired. Kessler also held the positions of chairman of the board, President and CEO of UST LLC, whose subsidiaries included U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Before those positions, Kessler spent 18 years in consumer packaged goods companies such as Campbell Soup and Clorox.

Kessler has ridden as an amateur in the hunters and jumpers for many years, from the grass roots level to the top horse shows. Kessler and his wife, Teri, now compete in the amateur-owner jumper divisions. Their daughter, Reed, was a noted junior rider and has transitioned to a successful international grand prix career, serving on the U.S. team at the 2012 London Olympic Games at the age of 18. Murray has also served on the Board of Directors of the North American Riders Group and of the USEF. He sits on the Ad Hoc Selections Group, Competition Classification Task Force, Governance Committee and Mileage Rule Revision Task Force committees in the USEF.

“I am honored that the nominating committee put my name forward to the Board for ratification,” he said. “If approved in June, I will be honored to serve as President of the United States Equestrian Federation and am excited about the many opportunities to grow horse sports in the United States at every level, breed and discipline.”

The 2016 Nominating Committee consists of Chester Weber (Chair), Mary Babick, Robert Costello, Susan Dutta, Cecile Hetzel Dunn, Georgie Green, Beezie Madden, and Michael Pollard.