NEWS
Peggy Hendershot
Posted: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 2:33 PM
PEGGY HENDERSHOT
National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Peggy Hendershot began her career in the Thoroughbred industry as a part-time worker one summer at Les Bois Park. From the small track in Boise, Idaho, she rose to oversee charity efforts and legislative affairs for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which coalesced into her current role leading Horse PAC, the NTRA’s political action committee.
Hendershot honed her skills and perspective during her ten years with Thoroughbred Racing Communications, beginning with an internship.
“I learned a lot about racing’s history, personalities, and business issues,” she said. “Most importantly, I learned how to frame stories, issues, and events so that people who weren’t familiar with our sport could understand it. I still do that today, for a different audience, when I represent our industry’s interests on Capitol Hill.”
When Thoroughbred Racing Communications merged with the NTRA in 1999, Hendershot came aboard and managed the NTRA’s industry communications and later took the helm of NTRA Charities. In that position, Hendershot led a campaign that she considers her biggest professional achievement, raising $5-million for the New York Heroes Fund after the September 11 attacks.
Hendershot now represents the NTRA and the racing industry in general in the legislative arena. She has been president of Horse PAC since 2007.
Date of birth: December 9, 1954
Birthplace: Detroit
Residence: Lexington; Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin
Title: President of political action committee Horse PAC
Company: National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Education: Bachelor of Arts in sociology, University of Montana; Master of Arts in history, University of Montana; post-graduate work at University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program
Family: Married
Career: Thoroughbred Racing Communications; after managing the NTRA’s industry communications, became executive director of NTRA Charities and later moved to legislative affairs in 2005
Favorite horse: Man o’ War
What book are you currently reading? A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold
What advice would you give other women interested in the racing industry? “Racing’s a global industry with literally hundreds of different niches. Find one that’s right for you and go for it.”
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