Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) announced today the appointment of Christian Erickson, Jonathan Green, and Gary Mandella to its Board of Directors. Mike McMahon was reappointed president, Marette Farrell was named vice-president, Shannon Griffin was named secretary, and Marshall Gramm was reappointed treasurer.
They join current TCA Directors Ben Bernhard, Carrie Brogden, Torie Gladwell, Ryan Mahan, Dan Metzger, Liam O'Rourke, Mandy Pope, Cathy Shircliff, Brook Smith, and Jesse Ullery.
Christian Erickson is a lifelong horseman, financial advisor, and entrepreneur with deep roots in both the Thoroughbred industry and wealth management. His passion for horses began at an early age before beginning to gallop Thoroughbreds at Keeneland while attending the University of Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Political Science and continued riding at Keeneland after graduation. Christian spent eight years in commercial real estate before beginning his career in financial services. In 2012, he founded Ashwood Wealth Management, Inc. (AWM), a full-service boutique wealth management firm with offices in Lexington, Kentucky; Sun Valley, Idaho; and San Francisco, California. Christian's professional career has remained closely connected to his passion for horses. He serves as Trustee of the Virginia Kraft Payson Children's Trust and manages a variety of assets for the trust, including the historic Payson Stud farm in Lexington. He is also President of Payson Stud, Inc., where he oversees a small, boutique Thoroughbred operation focused primarily on mares and foals, along with a select group of racehorses. Christian's career reflects a lifelong commitment to horses, business, and the relationships built through both.
Jonathan Green manages and co-owns one of the nation's largest racing and breeding operations, D.J. Stable, LLC. Under his leadership, D.J. Stable has achieved international success, earning two Sovereign Awards, three Eclipse Awards, 14 Leading Owner titles, more than 160 stakes victories, and over 2,600 total wins. The operation has also bred and/or owned 23 Grade I winners (most recently NITROGEN) and sold more than $125 million at public auctions. In 2025 D.J. Stable ranked among the top five owners in purse monies earned. For the past two years, Jonathan has served as co-host of the industry's most widely listened-to podcast, Rail Talk. He is a Breeders' Cup Member, treasurer of TOBA, serves on the Canadian Jockey Club, is a founding member and Vice President of the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI) and was recently named one of seven new members of The Jockey Club. Jonathan is also serving his 2nd three-year term on the OBS Board of Directors.
Gary Mandella was born in Redlands, California, and began working for his father, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, at age 12 during his summer breaks from school. He went on to gain valuable experience through summer internships with Charlie Whittingham in 1993 and Claiborne Farm in 1994. In 1999, Gary joined the newly formed broadcasting network TVG, where he worked through 2001. He returned to work for his father in 2002 while also training horses on his own. From 2010 to 2015, he resumed part-time broadcasting duties with HRTV.As a trainer, Gary's horses have earned more than $12 million in purses and won more than 200 races. He lives in Pasadena with his wife, Audra. His son, Joshua, attends the University of Arizona, and his stepdaughter, Jacy, attends Tarleton State University in Texas.
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) was formed in 1990 by Allaire duPont and Herb and Ellen Moelis to raise and distribute funds to charities in the Thoroughbred industry that fund and facilitate the support of Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them. In 2025, TCA granted over $1.1 million to 98 charities working within Thoroughbred retraining, rehoming and retirement; backstretch and farm worker services, research and equine-assisted therapy. Over the last 36 years, TCA has granted more than $28 million to more than 200 charities that successfully meet the criteria set forth in its annual grant application. TCA also administers the Horses First Fund, founded by LNJ Foxwoods in 2016, to assist Thoroughbreds in need of emergency aid. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owner and Breeders Association (TOBA). More information can be found at TCA.org.
