George Isaacs, general manager of Ocala's Bridlewood Farm, has been reelected as the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) president, according to a release put out by the organization Wednesday. Following the annual member meeting, the FTBOA held a board meeting and also named Rustlewood Farm's George Russell the first vice president, Summerfield's Francis Vanlangendonck the second vice president, Ocala Stud's Joseph M. O'Farrell as treasurer, and Nick de Meric, who operates de Meric Stables and Sales, as secretary.
“I have been fortunate to lead FTBOA at a time of legislative success that has been decades in the making, and at a time of innovation for the media division,” said Isaacs, who has served six terms on the FTBOA board with intermissions as required by bylaws. “I am proud of these accomplishments and thrilled the board has elected me again to continue my service as president for the Association and its members.”
Isaacs also chairs the Equine Studies Program at the College of Central Florida and the FTBOA Ocala Downtown Thoroughbred Walk of Fame committee, serves on the FTBOA Farmland Preservation Work Group, and serves on other boards.
In addition to the officers, the FTBOA updated board members. Milan Kosanovich and Vanlangendonck extended their terms on the board while Beckie Cantrell was named to the board for the first time. After an absence from the board due to term limits, past presidents Valerie Dailey and Brent Fernung rejoined the board. They will each serve a three-year term that will run through October 2026.
Leaving the board because of term limits were Bobby Jones and Dr. Fred Yutani, who served on the FTBOA board from October 2017 through October 2023; and Richard Kent, who served briefly, taking the seat left with the passing of board member and past president Fred Brei in March. Past president and director Dailey, as immediate past president, also serves as an executive committee member.
Other returning FTBOA board members include T. Paul Bulmahn, Jerry Campbell, Marilyn Campbell, Laurine Fuller-Vargas, Mike Hall, and Mary Lightner. Lonny Powell will continue as CEO and executive vice president.
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