2019 ABRA Board of Directors Election

ABRA News

As a member of the AMERICAN BUCKSKIN REGISTRY ASSOCIATION, INC., you have the right and privilege to vote for those who represent you as a whole.

Listed below are five (5) candidates who wish to serve in that capacity. Since there will only be three (3) positions open on the ABRA Board of Directors, you may vote for UP TO THREE (3) candidates or you may list a ‘write-in” candidate. If you choose a write-in candidate, please make sure you have checked with that person, and they are willing to serve on the board.

Members will receive official ballots in the mail. Return your ballot in the enclosed envelope (only).

Your ballots MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 15, 2019. You are encouraged to vote!
Please contact the ABRA Office if you have further question.

​

KEN PICKERING – IA

My name is Ken Pickering. I am retired and my wife Deb and I live in Runnells, Iowa. We have been members of ABRA for almost 30 years. While living in Oklahoma, I held several positions with Oklahoma Buckskin Association including President and I am now a lifetime member. I served on the board of directors for ABRA for six years then took on the duties of World Show Manager. In 2001, I was instrumental in getting the World Show moved to Tulsa and have helped it become the success it is today. In 2015, I was a small part of moving the main office to Tulsa. In 2017, I was asked to take aboard position to finish a three-year term after Georgie Jones resigned.

I am now asking for your vote to serve another three years. ABRA has made great improvements over the last few years and it is exciting to be part of the growth we have made. I am currently the chairperson for the World Show committee, Drug committee and serve on the Publicity and Promotion committee and the executive committee.

I do not show anymore, and I do not have anyone showing. My only interest is what is best for ABRA. I would like to continue to serve on the ABRA board of directors to continue to bring positive changes to our growing association. Thank you for your vote.

TOM WILLIAMS  – MO

For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Tom Williams.  I have been an ABRA member for 19 years, a carded judge for 7 years and a board member for the past 6 years.

I am the current chair to several committees that I am passionate about which includes: Buckskin Bred Committee, Judges Committee, and Nominating Committee.  A few of the things that I am very proud to have accomplished in my years as a board member are getting the Buckskin Bred program started and growing, new testing procedures for new judges and current carded judges and code of conduct letters for all judges.

I would love to continue as one of your board members because I feel there are more things to be accomplished to help the ABRA grow.  I would appreciate your vote.

LISA CASTLE  – MI

Hello everyone!  My name is Lisa Castle and I would like to be re-elected to the ABRA Board of Directors. During my time on the board, I have taken over the point tabulation for all shows as well as honor roll and national awards.

My career is in the financial compliance sector as well as being a financial planner and I feel those skills are very beneficial to ABRA.  I have been involved as a past Treasurer and President of the Buckskin Horse Association of Michigan (BHAM).  This large charter puts on one of the largest ABRA point approved shows in the fall and as a BHAM board member, I did a lot of the planning and management of the show.

I have been an amateur that has received multiple national titles with ABRA over the last 20 years. The future looks bright for ABRA and I want to continue to serve and be part of it.

BEVERLY MCCOLLUM – OK

My name is Beverly McCollum and I am running for a position on the ABRA Board of Directors. I am a retired teacher and currently reside in Fort Gratiot, MI. I have been in the horse business as a breeder for over forty years and now I am able to enjoy returning to the show pen.

I have been active in AQHA, MQHA, BHAM, and ABRA. At ABRA I served on the Board for over ten years and currently co-chair the Drug Testing Committee and sit on the Publicity and Promotion Committee. I would like to return to the
Board, so I can be an active part of what I believe is a bright future for our association. I would appreciate your support.

JANET ECKENBURG – WA

It would be an honor to obtain a position on the ABRA Board of Directors. Having been involved in raising, training, and showing Buckskin horses for over 40 years I feel qualified for this position. Serving on the Board of Directors for the American Buckskin Registry Association has been a long-time goal of mine, I would proudly serve the membership with the utmost integrity and honor.

CURRENT INLAND EMPIRE BUCKSKIN HORSE ASSOCIATION
A 25-year member, Past President, Past Treasurer, Show committee, Fundraising Chair, Board of Directors

PAST GRANT COUNTY 4H PERFORMANCE HORSE
Show Manager, Planning Committee, By-laws Committee

CENTRAL WASHINGTON BUCKSKIN CLUB
Treasurer, Member

CENTRAL OREGON BUCKSKIN CLUB
Membership Committee, Board of Directors

CURRENT RELATED MEMBERSHIPS
AQHA, 40 YEARS ABRA, 20 YEARS NSBA, 5 YEARS

VOLUNTEERISM
Grant County Fire District #10 Volunteer Firefighter, AEMT/past EMS Administrator Public Information Officer
GCFPD #8 Volunteers Assoc Treasurer, Mattawa Community Days Chairman, Wishing Star Foundation Benefit, Show Manager

CURRENT WORK EXPERIENCE
Eckenberg Farms, Inc – Board Member-Secretary
Eckenberg Farms, Inc – Co-owner
EckenBerg Land LLC – Co-owner