The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to announce that Christopher McErlean, president of the Thoroughbred Racing Association (TRA), has been appointed to the AHC Board of Trustees.

McErlean, who also serves as vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PNG), based in Wyomissing, Pa., was elected president of the TRA in February 2011.

The TRA has 48 member associations conducting racing at 41 racetracks in the United States and Canada, and PNG currently operates 23 racing and gaming facilities in 16 racing jurisdictions. Prior to working at PNG, McErlean worked at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. He held a number of positions during his fifteen years there, and ultimately served as vice president of racing operations for both Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., and The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

"We are very fortunate that Chris has joined the AHC’s Board of Trustees," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "Since the AHC was established in 1969 it has relied on the support of the racing industry. Chris’s experience will certainly be beneficial to the AHC and its members as we work on the many issues that affect the nation’s horse industry in general and racing in particular