Get to Know the 2017 APHA Executive Committee Candidates
PHJ release by: Jessica Hein
Rick McLain and Alison Umberger were named candidates for the 2017 APHA Executive Committee’s sixth committee member position; meet these two outstanding candidates in their personal videos, found online at apha.com/association/ec.
The election takes place at the 2017 APHA Convention, February 24-27 in Irving, Texas. National directors will cast their ballots February 27; all APHA members are encouraged to watch the videos and share their opinions with their national directors prior to voting. The APHA Convention is open to all Paint Horse enthusiasts and features a mix of educational seminars, association business and opportunities to get to know your fellow members.
Rick McLain
An APHA judge and Markel APHA Professional Horseman, Rick McLain of Benbrook, Texas, has more than 50 years experience in the horse industry. He started showing ponies in 4-H and open shows, and later began competing in AQHA events in high school; Rick began showing in APHA shows in 1976. An APHA approved judge since 1977, Rick is also carded with ApHC, IBHA, ABBA and ASHA.
Part of APHA’s Board of Directors since 2002, Rick is currently an alternate national director for Texas; he has served on the Show & Contest, Rules, Youth, Breed Improvement and World Show Advisory committees. Rick has also been involved in leadership positions for several regional clubs in Iowa and Texas, was the Zone 5 Committee president for six years and has served as show manager for several events. Outside of APHA, Rick worked for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation for 28 years, where he helped lobby senators and congressmen about agricultural issues.
Alison Umberger
A lifetime APHA member, Alison Umberger of Broad Run, Virginia, has more than 25 years of experience with Paint Horses. Part of a horse-centric family, Alison grew up showing Paint Horses in Nebraska, coming up through 4-H and the Nebraska Paint Horse Club ranks as a Youth and Amateur. In addition to owning and showing horses, Alison has also bred a number of Paint foals.
Well-trenched in the horse industry, Alison is a member of several APHA regional clubs, from Virginia to New York, and is a Virginia Paint Horse Club board member. An APHA national director since 2012, Alison has served on the Long Range Planning, Show & Contest and Amateur committees, and she’s participated on the Regional Championship and Amateur taskforces. Outside of APHA, Alison is a therapeutic riding center volunteer and board member, and a Virginia Horse Industry Board member. Professionally, she is an attorney-advisor for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
