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2023 Affiliate Regional Championship and NAAC Qualification

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors met during the 2023 Winter Meeting and voted on the qualification process for Affiliate Regional Championships (ARC) and the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC).

To qualify for a 2023 Affiliate Regional Championship, a rider must be an NRHA member and a member of an NRHA affiliate. Riders may join an affiliate at any point and are encouraged to show within it throughout the year to build their reining community and compete for awards. As in 2021, riders will be allowed to participate in multiple ARCs with one exception; if they win a class, they cannot compete on the same horse in the same class at another ARC.

Any exhibitor who receives a score higher than a zero at an ARC will be able to enter that class, on that specific horse, at the NAAC in Oklahoma City. Riders are encouraged to confirm that the classes they enter at an ARC are qualifying classes and not the ancillary slate.

This qualification format follows the same process as the past two years and was recommended by the Affiliate Committee before it was approved by the NRHA Board following the past two years’ success. The number of competitors at ARCs and the NAAC have grown across the board, which is positive for affiliates hosting shows, the grassroots level of reining, and the overall industry.

During the 2022 NAAC, more than $99,000 was awarded, with the Adequan® arena hosting more than 800 NAAC entries. The Board and Affiliate Committee look forward to seeing this growth expanded in 2023.

To find an affiliate near you, visit nrha.com/affiliate. To check if you are a member of a specific affiliate, please contact them directly.

Updates from the 2023 NRHA Winter Meeting

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) held its annual Winter Meeting February 5–7 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. The venue was the meeting place for NRHA Board, staff, committee members, and the membership to meet and to review and guide the association’s direction going forward.

During the three days of meetings, the board, executive committee, the Reining Horse Foundation Board of Directors, and several advisory committees convened. The Annual General Membership Meeting was also held Tuesday morning and gave members the opportunity to receive an update from NRHA Leadership and ask questions.

“It was an outstanding meeting, with the committee and board members working together wonderfully to begin the year,” said NRHA President Mark Blake. “The judges committee especially did an outstanding job with the review session, and overall, I am very happy with how the 2023 NRHA Winter Meeting went.”

Blake also highlighted the success NRHA saw in 2022, including a 14% increase in approved events worldwide with a record-setting 125,000 total entries. Additionally, the nomination program saw its highest numbers since its inception, topping 3,000 North American weanling nominations for the first time. NRHA membership remains stable, with non professionals boasting its highest membership rates since 2015. Read more on the 2022 Statistics Overview posted on the “About” page at nrha.com. Blake also announced that a membership survey would be distributed to members and reviewed by the board during the future Strategic Planning Session.

NRHA Chief Financial Officer John Foy also gave an extremely positive, in-depth financial overview of the association, which included an explanation of the new 4-year-old nomination component that will begin with 2023 foals, NRHA Futurity purse milestones, and an update on the annual audit that will be posted online for members in the next few weeks. You can read more about the program here. He also addressed the association will continue to invest in high-performing assets and has the liquidity to navigate even during economic downturn.

Gary Carpenter, NRHA Commissioner, also announced his planned retirement after leading NRHA since 2014. During Carpenter’s time with NRHA, the association has seen massive expansion, boasting the lowest turnover rates and a well-tenured staff speaking to his incredible leadership. An official search committee has been formed, and you can read more about his retirement here.

Following the annual general membership meeting, The Judges Committee also held a review of the top 2022 NRHA Futurity runs with an open dialogue regarding scoring while watching videos of selected runs. Patti Carter, Senior Director of Education & Officials, and the judges committee teaching panel talked through the evaluation of the runs, answered questions, and provided clarity on current judging standards.

The following items were also discussed:

2023 Affiliate Regional Championship and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Conditions

The Board moved to approve keeping the Affiliate Regional Championship (ARC) and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) qualification the same as the previous year. To compete at an ARC, a rider must be an NRHA member and a member of an NRHA affiliate. Any exhibitor who receives a score higher than a zero at an ARC will be able to enter that class, on that specific horse, at the Adequan® NAAC in Oklahoma City.

2024 NRHA Elections

Submissions for 2024 NRHA Regional Director and NRHA Director-at-Large elections are due in office on June 1. For more information, including open seats and qualifications for running, visit nhra.com/elections.

Rule Change Proposals

The 2023 Rule Change Proposals were reviewed by the Board for the first time. The Board will review them again prior to voting, and they will be sent to committees and will soon be available online to the NRHA membership for feedback.

Recommended Judges Fee Increase

The Board approved a recommendation from the Judges Committee to recommend that all “AA” events pay their judges a minimum of $750 per day along with reasonable travel expenses. For all other events, the committee recommended judge fees be increased to a minimum of $600/day, plus reasonable travel expenses. The committee also recommended judges be compensated 10% of their day fee for every hour over 10 hours spent judging (not including breaks).

NRHA Owned Event Schedules Approved

The 2023 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel and the 2023 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship schedules were approved by the NRHA Board of Directors. The Derby schedule is available on nrhaderby.com, and the Futurity schedule will be available soon on nrhafuturity.com. A change to note was the approval to switch the Open and Non Pro go-round order at the NRHA Derby to be more accommodating to non pros who make the finals.

Reining Horse Foundation Board Meeting

The Reining Horse Foundation (RHF) Board of Directors approved significant expansion to two of its flagship programs: the Dale Wilkinson Memorial Crisis Fund and the RHF Scholarship program. Increased donor support in recent years has made it feasible for more dollars to be returned to the reining community, which is the heart of the RHF mission. In November 2022, the board designated up to $250,000 in additional funding support for core programs, with proposals to be brought forward from RHF standing committees. These program expansions are the result. The Crisis Fund grant maximums are being increased substantially, more than double previous funding thresholds. Four RHF Scholarships amounts are being increased immediately, and five new scholarships will be added in 2024.

Oklahoma City Hosts Groundbreaking for New Coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) was proud to join Oklahoma City officials on Wednesday, February 22, for a groundbreaking ceremony of the new coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

The beloved Jim Norick Coliseum, known by some as ‘The Big House,’ was built in 1965 and will be replaced by a new $126 million state-of-the-art coliseum. Set to be completed in 2025, the facility will feature a 216,000-square-foot building with 7,000 seats and a restaurant, lounge, and upscale concession areas. The current Jim Norick Coliseum will be utilized for all events until the new project is completed.

Speakers at the groundbreaking included Ron Norick, past Oklahoma City Mayor and son of the late Jim Norick, Oklahoma City Major David Holt, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau president Zac Craig and president and CEO of the Oklahoma State Fair Kirk Slaughter.

“The Jim Norick Coliseum hosts two million people and 150 events per year,” said Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau president Zac Craig. “On any given week, you see the best riders in the world in their respective disciplines, and it is an economic engine for our community.”

Craig also highlighted the coliseum generates $350 million in annual economic impact for Oklahoma City and is an investment into tourism along with solidifying Oklahoma City’s reputation as a host for premier equine and livestock events. The project is funded through MAPS4, a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax, with additional funds coming from city hotel tax revenues.

“This project is about maintaining what this place provides our community, and it is tremendous,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “I have always loved the idea of what this venue means to the entire state, and if you are a young person in Oklahoma and involved in agriculture, or basketball, or other sports, this is your mecca and where you dream of coming.

“I think it is cool that we love the history of this building; Elvis even played here, and it is really cool history. However, I think people will come to love the amenities and attractiveness provided by this future facility. History only takes you so far on a practical side, and what you are going to have with this new iteration is a practical, useful building to continue having economic impact on this community and bring people from around Oklahoma and the country. Congratulations to everyone involved in this!”

Excitement broke among the crowd as shovels broke ground, including an extra shovel turned by Ron Norick to honor his father, Jim Norick.

“I am so proud of my father and what he did, and how proud I am that his name is on this building, and how proud he is going to be when we have the new building,” said Norick. “This building has served our community well. It is a wonderful day!”

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter, who was present at the event along with NRHA staff, echoed the excitement.

“We are so fortunate to have great partnerships throughout Oklahoma City, and this project coming to fruition is just another example of the community coming together,” said Carpenter. “Our relationship with the Oklahoma State Fair is one we have always valued, and we look forward to supporting them through this process. This venue will be a stage worthy of our events, and our competitors will move to a new, elevated level not experienced before.”

For more information, including a concept video of the new facility, visit okcfairgrounds.com/new-coliseum.

2023 6666 NRHA Derby Presented by Markel Judges Have Been Chosen

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly announces the group of judges chosen for the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel, held June 13-25, 2023. As the second largest NRHA-approved event of the year, preparation for the prestigious show has started, including finalizing who will evaluate each run.

Kelly Hedges, Jan Hay, Dean Bogart, and BJ Riberio have been chosen for the Adequan® Arena classes. The Judges Monitor will be Bob Kail.

The Jim Norick Coliseum will be judged by Bub Poplin, Ollie Griffith, Mack Weaver, Gabe Davide, and Manu Maiocchi, with Jeff Buckley as equipment judge. The Judges Monitor is Eugenio Latorre.

“The selection of judges for an NRHA Event is thorough, fair, and rigorous,” said Patti Carter, Senior Director of Education and Officials. “The NRHA Judges Committee is confident this group of judges will represent NRHA and its athletes with consistent and accurate maneuver and penalty application throughout the event. We look forward to working with this amazing group of selected NRHA Judges.”

The NRHA Derby and Futurity judges are recommended by the Judges Committee, submitted to a sub-committee appointed by the NRHA President, and given final approval from the Executive Committee. The recommendations are made by the following criteria:

  • Each eligible judge is contacted for their availability for the event
  • All available judges are compiled into a list and sent to each member of the Judges Committee
  • Judges Committee members make selections from the list to fill the allotted slots for the event
  • These names are compiled into a shortlist and discussed on a conference call with all members of the Judges Committee.
  • The committee members, except for the chair, then rank their choices, and each ranking equates to a certain number of points. The points are compiled and submitted to the committee chair.
  • The committee chair reviews and makes recommendations based on the outcome of the vote and the needs of NRHA.
  • The ranked list with the Judges Committee Chair recommendations is submitted to the subcommittee for final selection.

For more information, visit NRHA.com/judges. 

2022 Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award

In 2021, the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) established the Peter Phinny Memorial Leading Futurity Sire Award to honor the late NRHA member whose support contributed immensely to the association and the future of the industry.

The second recipient of the award is NRHA $8 Million Sire Gunnatrashya (Gunner x Natrasha), who also received the inaugural award last year.

At the 2022 NRHA Futurity, the stallion owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA and bred by Katarina Dorminy had ten offspring in the Open Finals and five in the Non Pro Finals. In total, the offspring earned $613,444 in both finals for an average of $40,896.

The perpetual award is presented annually at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel in June. The Mehl Lawson Bronze, which represents the award, will remain in the NRHA office in Oklahoma City.

A member of the NRHA since 1966, Phinny was raised in Fremont, Michigan, and lived most of his life in the Glen Arbor area. He will be remembered as a solid citizen, devoted to family, and always kind and generous with friends, associates, and worthy causes.

To learn more about Peter Phinny, visit here.

The Teams Have Been Chosen for the American Performance Horseman

The Teton Ridge American Performance Horseman gets prepared for the bright lights of Arlington, Texas, at the home of the Texas Rangers MLB team, Globe Life Field. The American Western Weekend will kick off with the Top Five professionals from the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Each team will include a reining professional, reined cow horse professional, and cutting professional. This highly anticipated competition will open with cutting, then move into the reining, and close out with the reined cow horse competitors. The performance horse industry will witness history with the first team concept competition battling for $1 Million in prize money.

Each NRHA professional announced their two equine athletes of choice to ride for this inaugural event during The American Performance Horseman Team Selections event held on February 6th. The horsepower will be off the charts, and riders must declare their official decision by March 8th at noon.

First up, NRHA $7 Million Dollar Rider Shawn Flarida selected Alpha Jac Sparrow, owned by Fritz Leeman. This is a stallion sired by NRHA Hall of Famer Spooks Gotta Whiz and out of Chexanicki, with lifetime earnings (LTE) of $126,953. He chose Shiner On My Eye as well, with a lifetime earnings of $169,999 and owned by Bob Santagata. The stud is out of Flashy Lil Step and sired by NRHA $3 Million Sire Shiners Voodoo Dr.

Second up, NRHA $3 Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary, with his choice of Down Right Amazing, a stallion owned by DAG Ventures LLC with lifetime earnings of $224,250.

The 2022 Run for a Million Shootout Champion is sired by NRHA $13 Million Sire Gunner and out of Shesouttayourleague. His other pick is lifetime earner of more than $369,059, the 2021 NRHA Futurity Champion Ten Thirty, owned by Rancho El Fortin and sired by Gunnatrashya and out of Dainty Little Step.

Next in line, NRHA Professional Fernando Salgado chose Gunnabeabrightstar, owned by Neiberger Performance Horses, carrying a lifetime earnings of $157,017. This stud is out of the mare Abbie Be Tuff and sired by ARC Gunnabeabigstar. Salgado’s other option is Pale Dun Star, owned by Ian and Kristen Cantacuzene. The stud with $78,208 in NRHA LTE is sired by NRHA $3 Million Sire Pale Face Dunnit and out of the mare Get Ya Some Stars.

Next, NRHA $7 Million Dollar Rider Andrea Fappani plans to pair up with Trash Talkin Spook with $154,770 NRHA LTE owned by Marilyn Overgaard. A stud sired by Gunnatrashya and out of I Spook. Fappani, in addition, chose a stud owned by Teton Ridge, Starjac Vintage, with a lifetime earnings of $172,769. The stud is an NRHA $3 Million Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Starjac Miss.

Last to draw, NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Mills electing to pilot Guns And Dynamite sired by NRHA $5 Million Sire Gunners Special Nite and out of Chic Olena Starbuck. The stallion chosen is proudly owned by Tim and MaryBeth Ruckman and has an LTE of $250,424. He also elected Stopping In Jersey owned by Bosque Ranch Performance Horses, lifetime earner of $96,864. The stud is out of Stop Little Sister and sired by Yellow Jersey.

Burnt Orange Team

Cutting: Austin Shepherd, Summerdale, Alabama

Reining: Matt Mills, Weatherford, Texas

Reined Cow Horse: Lee Deacon, Marietta, Oklahoma

Racing Green Team

Cutting: Lindy Thorn, Claremore, Oklahoma

Reining: Casey Deary, Weatherford, Texas

Reined Cow Horse: Chris Dawson, Perrin, Texas

Royal Blue Team

Cutting: Adan Banuelos, Weatherford, Texas

Reining: Fernando Salgado, Gainesville, Texas

Reined Cow Horse: Sarah Dawson, Perrin, Texas

Imperial Purple Team

Cutting: Wesley Galyean, Claremore, Oklahoma

Reining: Andrea Fappani, Scottsdale, Arizona

Reined Cow Horse: Corey Cushing, Weatherford, Texas

Regal Red Team

Cutting: Lloyd Cox, Marietta, Oklahoma

Reining: Shawn Flarida, Springfield, Ohio

Reined Cow Horse: Justin Wright, Santa Maria, California

The American West Weekend is one you won’t want to miss. The American Performance Horseman event will commence at 6:45 p.m. CST on Friday, March 10. The evening will conclude with a concert featuring Darius Rucker and Sheryl Crow, which is included in your admission fee. The American Rodeo will be held at Globe Life Field on Saturday, March 11, with admission to a Cody Johnson concert included. For a 25% discount on your tickets for the weekend, use code NRHA23 at checkout.

Buy your tickets TODAY by visiting americanrodeo.com/tickets, and be sure to download Teton Ridge + to stay in the know regarding all things American West Weekend at tetonridgeplus.com. We can’t wait to see you there! 

NRHA 4-Year-Old Nomination Program Approved

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Nomination Program summited a peak in January, welcoming the largest foal crops, in both North America and Europe, since the program’s inception. On the heels of this achievement, NRHA announces the official addition of a 4-year-old component to the North American program to begin with 2023 foals. For several years, NRHA has offered a 4-year-old division at the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. This change helps to bring this division to a new level by generating a greatly enhanced purse for NRHA Nominated 4-year-olds.

The NRHA is proud to provide new and significant additional investment in the industry by committing $100,000 in added money for the next 3 years to elevate the 4-Year-Old Derby and to grow the entire event and add further value to our horses. When the 2023 foal crop is of Derby age and the nomination program funds the 4-Year-Old Derby, NRHA will continue to invest $50,000 in added money. Approximately $285,000 in total added money based on a 3-year average of nominated weanlings will be provided to the purse once the 2023 foal crop is of derby age. For the next 3 years, total added money will be $160,000.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for this specific group of horses as they progress in their show career from futurities to derbies. The support of this program will also draw more participation in the NRHA Derby, creating supplementary event success.

“It is incredible to witness an informal conversation between friends become reality,” said NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter. “Our 4-year-olds deserve a chance to show what they can do among their peers without trying to compete against the strength and experience that the older horses have. They have a chance to mature and shine at the same time.”

The existing North American weanling fee will increase $100 to help supplement the 4-year-old purse. Based on an estimated $285,000 in added money, the following is the estimated purse payout for each class of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel once the 2023 foal crop is of Derby age:

  • Level 4 Open = $106,000
  • Level 3 Open = $83,000
  • Level 2 Open = $47,000
  • Level 1 Open = $25,000
  • Level 4 Non Pro = $50,000
  • Level 3 Non Pro = $36,000
  • Level 2 Non Pro = $22,000
  • Level 1 Non Pro = $12,000

For more information on the nomination program, visit nrha.com/nomination.

Photo by Bee Silva

Pale Face Dunnit and Shiners Voodoo Dr Reach the $3 Million Milestone

Two stallions in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) have recently crossed a multi-million dollar milestone and have a first-class list of offspring in the industry. The two noticeably stunning palomino stallions, Pale Face Dunnit and Shiners Voodoo Dr, accruing more than $3 million in offspring earnings, have an extraordinary influence in the reining industry.

Pale Face Dunnit—$3 Million Sire

The 16-year-old stallion, Pale Face Dunnit, is sired by NRHA $13 Million Sire Gunner and out of Lena Dun It by Hollywood Dun It. Following in suit of his sire, he had many accolades in the show pen with NRHA Professionals piloting, such as NRHA Million Dollar Rider Randy Paul and current owner NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal.

Top Achievements include: 2013 USEF National Open Reserve Champion
2013 NRBC Open Classic Finalist
2012 HRRC Open Derby Top Five
2012 NRHA Open Derby: Top Ten
2011 AQHA Performance Register of Merit

Pale Face Dunnit’s top offspring:
(as of 1/24/23)

Face The Attitude (out of Miss Lil Addy Tude) $228,352
Phantom Face (out of Gorgeous Like A Star) $182,234
Pale Face Gunslinger (out of Lost In Tinseltown) $140,280
Pale Face Whiz (out of Lady Naskiia Whiz) $106,901
Pale Black Gun (out of Blazing In Black) $106,882

Pale Face Dunnit was bred by Rancho Oso Rio and is now owned by Schmersal Reining Horses and Silver Spurs Equine of Scottsdale, Arizona, where he stands at stud.

Find more information about the stallion here or on Facebook.

Shiners Voodoo Dr—$3 Million Sire

“Voodoo” is no stranger to the praises of the reining industry, winning more than $85,000 LTE in his show career. Notable winnings include the 2012 NRHA Derby Open Level 4 Open Championship with NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen aboard, the 2010 Tulsa Reining Classic L3-2 Open Championship, as well as making the finals in the NRHA Futurity Open Level 4 Finals.

Shiners Voodoo Dr, by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark and out of Voodoo Chic, is owned by Silver Spurs Equine LLC in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was bred by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch and was one of the three stallions acquired when Silver Spurs Equine LLC made the purchase of Xtra Quarter Horses in 2017.

The respect only grew as the stallion entered the breeding barn. In 2019, Voodoo passed the million-dollar mark when his offspring earned more than $30,000 during the NRHA Futurity.

Shiners Voodoo Dr’s leading progeny include:
(as of 1/24/23)Shiner On My Eye (out of Flashy Lil Step) $169,999
Warlocks Last Step (out of SDP A Lasting Step) $86,181
Xtra New Pal Voodoo (out of Wimpys New Pal) $81,893
Shiners Voodoo (out of BR China Rose) $75,354
RFR Voodoos Fuego (out of Show N Tag) $68,266

Shiners Voodoo Dr presently stands at Silver Spurs Equine in Purcell, Oklahoma. Find more information about the stallion here or on Facebook.

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter Announces Planned Retirement

NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter has announced his plan to retire at the end of 2023, culminating a leadership role held since 2014. Carpenter made the announcement at the National Reining Horse Association Annual General Membership Meeting held on February 7 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside the executive committee, board of directors, and staff, and I appreciate their support during this transition,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter was hired at the end of 2013 after a lengthy search for a new individual to lead the NRHA Office and work alongside the NRHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors to grow the association and expand its events and programs.

“I was a part of the search committee that hired Gary and have worked with him every day since,” said immediate Past President and current Director-at-Large Rick Clark. “Gary has exceeded all of our expectations, and we cannot thank him enough for everything that he has done for NRHA and for reining.

“More importantly, I appreciate his friendship, leadership, and guidance all of these years,” Clark added.

Prior to NRHA, Carpenter had extensive equine industry experience, including leadership positions with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), The Jockey Club, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and Colorado State University (CSU).

His start at NRHA was a breath of fresh air during a somewhat tumultuous time for the Association.

During Carpenter’s tenure at NRHA, the Association has seen explosive growth and widespread improvements, ensuring he will leave NRHA better than he found it.

“What is hardest to leave at NRHA are the relationships I have cultivated over the years with members and with our staff,” said Carpenter. “I am so incredibly proud of the team at NRHA. They are outstanding, passionate, and hard-working. I know I cannot work forever, but it does not make it any easier to leave.”

In an ode to his impeccable leadership and mentorship, the NRHA Office has seen its lowest turnover rates and boasts a well-tenured staff.

Notably, Carpenter was responsible for spearheading the highly successful development and launch of ReinerSuite, oversaw a much-needed relocation of the NRHA Headquarters, and helped make the NRHA Futurity and NRHA Derby record-setting events.

Additionally, he was the first to bring the idea of a formal strategic plan to the board of directors, allowing the Association to focus on developing goals, core strategies, and a mission statement to help guide the future of the association and strengthen its governing practices.

Carpenter remained steady during the global pandemic, having to make some hard decisions so NRHA did not succumb to the financial uncertainties many others faced. He was unwavering in his determination to ensure NRHA’s owned-events would continue to be held safely for staff and members.

“NRHA has been lucky to have Gary Carpenter for the past nine years, and we wish Gary nothing but the best in his retirement,” said NRHA President Mark Blake. “His knowledge, experience, and industry connections have proven invaluable.

“We know it will not be easy to replace him, but we are confident we have several qualified candidates for consideration,” Blake added. “NRHA will ensure a smooth transition and looks forward to beginning the process to find a replacement.”

An official search committee has been created to work alongside a professional executive recruiter in the coming months to find Carpenter’s replacement. A formal position description and details on applying are forthcoming.