Four Added to TCA Board of Directors

Thoroughbred Charities of America announced Aug. 31 the appointment of Morgan Richardson, Liam O'Rourke, Dan Metzger, and Jesse Ullery to its board of directors.  

"Many thanks to Lesley Campion, who did a great job of chairing the TCA nominations committee," said Mike McMahon, president of TCA. "We have four great new board members to add to our power packed group of industry professionals. I love this board. These people give horses and the people who care for them so much time and effort. They are all-stars and with talent like this, we will likely reach our goal of distributing $30 million in grants sooner than expected."

Richardson is the horsemen relations manager at Keeneland. A native of Illinois and Michigan, she graduated from the University of Kentucky, with a degree in Equine Management and Science and Hospitality Management and Tourism. She has worked for several equine-focused organizations including Spruce Meadows, Equestrian Events, and New Vocations. In her free time Richardson can be found riding her off track Thoroughbred, Alfayiz.

A native of Canada, O'Rourke was introduced to horse racing at an early age by his grandfather. After earning a degree in finance from Bishop's University in Quebec, he went on to complete the world renowned Irish National Stud Course. Later he worked in the racing office at Woodbine before moving into bloodstock work at Adena Springs Canada. In 2016, he joined the team at WinStar Farm and in 2020 moved into his current role as director of bloodstock.

Dan Metzger is the president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and started his career at Cawood Ledford Productions and later worked at Breeders' Cup Limited for over 10 years. Dan is also a board member of the BloodHorse and president of TOBA Media Properties. Dan and his wife Julie live in Nicholasville, Ky. and have three children.

Born in Montana and raised in Phoenix, Ullery was introduced to the sport by his grandfather Burton Farley, a trainer in the Northwest and at Turf Paradise, and by his aunt, longtime racing official Coralee Farley. At 19, he became the track announcer at Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Okla., in 2007 and was named track announcer at Will Rogers Downs and Blue Ribbon Downs the following year. He also served as director of racing at Fair Meadows and Will Rogers Downs in 2013-16. Since 2018, Ullery has served as sales announcer at Fasig-Tipton in addition to his role as account executive. He Jesse also serves as the president of the board of directors of the Blue Grass Farms Charities.

The four newly elected board members join current board members Lesley Campion (vice president), Marette Farrell, Casi Gaffalione, Torie Gladwell, Marshall Gramm, Lesley Howard (treasurer), Davant Latham (secretary), Brant Laue, Jason Loutsch, Ryan Mahan, Mike McMahon (president), Leah O'Meara and Cathy Shircliff. Gretchen Jackson, Ellen Moelis and Dan Rosenberg are directors emeriti.