The FTBOA announced Oct. 24 that Valerie Dailey, a Thoroughbred breeder in Florida since 1985, was elected president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association at a board meeting following the annual member meeting.
"I'm honored to have been selected to serve as president for a second time," Dailey said. "The industry has definitely changed since my initial term in 2022 and we have a challenging road ahead. My goal is to educate and get the word out about greatness of the Florida-bred Thoroughbred and our significant impact on the national Thoroughbred industry."
The board also selected executive committee officers for 2025-26 with Dailey as president while Nick de Meric, a Thoroughbred breeder and leading consignor of 2-year-olds, was named first vice president; and Francis Vanlangendonck, of Summerfield Sales based in Williston, was named second vice president. Richard Heysek, who breeds under the banner of his Caperlane Farm, was named treasurer. Beckie Cantrell, a small Thoroughbred breeder from Ocala, will serve as secretary.
Jerry D. Campbell of Tampa and Mary Lightner of Williston were re-elected as incumbent board members while Nick de Meric of Ocala; Christine Jones of Reddick; Phil Matthews, DVM of Ocala; and Jean White, DVM of Ocala join the board as new directors. White's term ends October, 2027 while the other terms end in October of 2028.
Leaving the board because of term limits as outlined in the FTBOA by-laws were Joe O'Farrell, Marilyn Campbell and Mike Hall. Colin Brennan resigned following a move to Texas.
Dailey has a long history serving both the agriculture and business markets in central Florida. She has a B.S. in Food and Resource Economics and a Masters in Agricultural Operations Management, both from the University of Florida. She formerly led the UF/IFAS College of Agriculture computer teaching labs and was the IT Director for the UF/Health Science Center Vice President's Office. She also has been the Business Development Director for the Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Council.
Dailey has been a Florida Licensed Realtor as broker and owner with Showcase Properties of Central Florida since 2005. She specializes in listing and selling premier equine properties. She is the incoming president of the Ocala/Marion County Realtor Association. She is also on the board of the College of Agricultural, Life Sciences Alumni Board and the State of Florida 4-H Foundation Board.
Other returning FTBOA board members include Beth Bayer, Brent Fernung, Milan Kosanovich, and Dr. Tiffany Atteberry. Lonny Powell enters his fourteenth year at the Association helm as the CEO and executive vice president.
