FEATURE

STORY

Lonny Powell
2020-21 FSAE Chair Photo from 2016 Annual Conference

Every year, the incoming FSAE Board of Directors and When Lonny moved to Florida he had never heard of “an
Foundation Board of Trustees are sworn in to take office just association for associations” and had no idea why he would
before Annual Conference. This summer, the swearing in is need such a thing. Luckily, he met an FSAE member early
virtual but our new leaders
are taking the reins. We
are happy to introduce
our new FSAE Board Chair
Lonny Powell and give
I want to see us reinforce our greatest
you the opportunity to
get to know Lonny a little
strengths – leading, innovating, and
better – both as a person
and as our leader. dialogue. Listening to our members,
Lonny is the CEO of the
Florida Thoroughbred
and hearing their struggles is essential
Breeders’ and Owners’
Association (FTBOA). He
to addressing those changing needs.
joined the organization
in 2012 and moved his
family from Arizona to
on who convinced him to give us a try. The 2012 Annual
the rolling hills of Ocala, Florida’s horse country. Located in
Conference was in Orlando, so Lonny decided to check us out
Marion County-The Horse Capital of the World™, Ocala serves
and see what we were all about.
as the state-wide hub for North America’s second largest
Thoroughbred horse market. Lonny’s experience centers in “At my first meeting, I barely knew anyone in Florida outside
the horse-racing and gaming industry where he has handled of the horse industry, much less anyone in associations,”
the operations, promotion, lobbying and regulatory affairs Lonny said. “But I have to admit this was the most
as well as the for-profit/publicly-held business side for welcoming group of strangers I have ever experienced. I was
most of his career. He specialized in company take-overs, amazed by the comradery and discussions on best practices
reorganization, negotiations, promotion, facilities and and I immediately saw the value and joined.”
assembling management teams. However, he did have non-
profit experience as both a CEO and board member and he It didn’t take Lonny long to get involved. He attended every
continues to serve on several non-profit boards since joining event he could, joined committees, ran for the Board just
FTBOA. two years later and has served ever since. Elected as an At-

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Large Member in 2014, Lonny has held every FSAE Board and
Officer seat and chaired multiple committees. This year he
takes the rein as Chair.
“FSAE has done so much for me and my association over
the years, it was important for me to give back,” Lonny
continued. “The core of this organization is the
members’ willingness to contribute their
knowledge and experience for the greater good
of all association professionals. At every event and
at the Board level, there are serious discussions surrounding
best practices and important issues and they all occur with a
level of respect for the people and ideas – you don’t always
find that in business. I’m honored to have the opportunity to
help us all continue to move forward.
“I am following behind leaders that I have a great respect
for and I know I have big shoes to fill,” Lonny continued. “I
really benefited from serving with such great past chairs as
Janegale Boyd, Rusty Payton, Al Pasini and Rachel Luoma,
as well as our outgoing chair Jim Ayotte. Jim has done a
fantastic job helping the organization navigate the suddenly
difficult terrain with the onset of COVID-19 and the economic
and social issues that have followed, and has really been
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a strong leader all year. We’re all a little more battered
and bruised after the last few months, and it’s time to up
our game to answer the call of public health and safety,
economic challenges and social inequalities. We all do great
work – and we can do better and lead this charge for our
industries, our members and our communities.
“We’ve all had chairs that come in with a goal in mind or
special project for their term. This isn’t the year for that. I
want to see us reinforce our greatest strengths – leading,
innovating, and dialogue. We are all trying to learn how
to succeed in this new normal. Listening to our members,
and hearing their struggles is essential to addressing those
changing needs. We must act with empathy, listen and
have the difficult, uncomfortable conversations. Now is the
time to double-up on even our communication, leadership,
innovation and being an honest broker and convening body
that tackles the issues of member associations.
“Good things can come from change, and FSAE is perfectly
positioned to elevate its members. I hope that you will
embrace this challenge with me so that we can build the
future together.”