Call to Order – Byron King called the meeting to order at 11:07 a.m. ET.

Roll Call – (in person) Byron King, Dick Downey, Jennifer Kelly, Carlos Morales, Sara Gordon, Katie Petrunyak, Nicole Russo, Greg Hall, Frank Angst, Loren Hebel-Osborne; (Zoom) Jay Privman, Lynne Snierson, Tom Law, Liane Crossley, Nathan Campbell, Julie June Stewart, Joe Perez, Alex Orr, Jr, Vance Hanson, Alicia Hughes, Paula Rodenas, Jill Williams, Paul Halloran, Cindy Deubler, Debbie Arrington, Molly Rollins, Richard Gross, Dave Johnson, Remi Bellocq.

Treasurer’s Report – Dick Downey shared his Treasurer’s Report. NTWAB currently has $168,806.95 in its Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares and $14,978.60 in its Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund for a total of $183,785.55. The organization’s checking account at PNC Bank currently has $16,998.54 and its Charitable Foundation account currently has $6,275.25. NTWAB’s total assets are $207,059.34. 

Internship Update – Byron King shared update from the Internship Committee on behalf of Natalie Voss. 

The DRF is still in the process of seeking their summer intern, so if anyone knows of a potential candidate, they (or we) can get you the link to have them apply. (Update on 5/27 – DRF is going to pass this year but expressed a desire to try again in 2026. Their applicants were not located in areas to ensure a meaningful experience. So the NTWAB internship committee unanimously awarded funding to TDN, a late applicant for funding. TDN has an intern joining them this summer.)
Paulick Report has selected our intern, a University of Colorado student who will begin her remote internship in early June. 
Agentes 305 has narrowed down their search to their finalists and expects to have a bilingual intern in place from mid-June to mid-September. 
ESPN Louisville's plan had been to use their allocation to support summer travel for an intern who had already been chosen. She's scheduled to begin in May, with the first trip not scheduled until Preakness, according to their application.
BloodHorse's selected intern, University of Kentucky sports journalism major Isaiah Pinto, begins June 10 and will spend eight weeks at the company.

Triple Crown/Breeders’ Cup Feedback – Both Frank Angst and Alicia Hughes shared issues with accessing the frontside of Churchill Downs from the backside area. Lynne Snierson shared concerns about a lack of quotes from the Oaks and Derby post position draws the previous weekend. Churchill Downs’s notes team was smaller this year (three or four persons) and that made it more difficult to access information. 

Hall of Fame Voting – Byron King addressed dissatisfaction with the 2025 Hall of Fame class shared by multiple members of the media since the announcement the previous week. He encouraged members to reach out to NMRHOF’s Brien Bouyea to inquire about becoming a HOF voter. Frank Angst shared a desire to see more contemporary candidates while connections are still available. 

Volunteer Opportunities – Byron King encouraged members to seek volunteer opportunities like Jay Privman’s work for the Gregson Foundation. Organizations like the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and backstretch groups could use services like writing press releases and more from NTWAB members. 

Preliminary Information about Annual Awards Dinner – Byron King and Dick Downey shared early information about the 2025 NTWAB Annual Awards Dinner, held during Breeders’ Cup week in late October/early November. As Breeders’ Cup is once again at Del Mar, this year’s dinner will again be at The Brigantine and is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29. Loren Hebel-Osborne hopes to get the banquet on the Breeders’ Cup’s event calendar. 

Byron encouraged members to think about who they would like to honor in the various categories ahead of this summer’s voting. Lynne Snierson shared feedback she received from Danny Ramsey, who was part of Team Kenny McPeek, an honoree in 2024. He said the dinner was one of the highlights of their Breeders’ Cup week. 

Directors’ Election – Terms for directors Steve Byk, Scott Hazelton, and Tom Law, who took over for Byron King after the latter’s election to NTWAB President, expired in 2025. Both Byk and Hazelton shared their desire to return to their posts while Law elected to step away after his years’ of service in a variety of roles. Byron opened the floor to nominations, and both were renominated and then reelected by a unanimous vote. Byron asked the membership present both on site and on Zoom for any nominations for the board seat and there were none. Byron nominated Vance Hanson to replace Law. Nicole Russo seconded. Hanson was approved by unanimous vote. 

New Member Applications – Jennifer Kelly reviewed the four candidates approved by the board ahead of this meeting. Kelly presented each candidate, their qualifications, and their recommendations. Pascual Artiles was approved as an Associate while Jerry Bailey, Joe Bruno, and Anthony Pascale were admitted as full members. 

Byron King adjourned the meeting at 12:09 pm. 

Applicants for NTWAB Membership – May 2025
Name  Sponsors  Board Decision  Membership Vote
Pascual Artiles (A)  Carlos Morales and Juan Carlos Feijoo  Approved  Approved
Jerry Bailey (RB)  Byron King and Randy Moss  Approved  Approved
Joe Bruno (RB)  Juan Carlos Feijoo and Carlos Morales  Approved  Approved
Anthony Pascale (RB)  Scott Hazelton and Byron King  Approved  Approved