The Kentucky Equine Education Project has named Patrick Neely as its new executive director.

Neely, a University of Louisville undergrad and graduate of Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, previously served as campaign manager for Congresswoman Anne Northup’s campaigns in 2004 and 2006. He also served for more than a year as the chief of staff for Louisville’s Metro Council Republican Caucus, was an associate attorney with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs (Louisville office), and was Northup’s press secretary in Washington, D.C.

“KEEP is pleased to have found someone with Patrick’s background,” KEEP chairman Brereton Jones said. “His understanding of the political process, the horse industry’s issues, communication skills, and campaign management abilities are all assets that we set out to find when we began our search for a new executive director more than four months ago.”

“As a life-long horse enthusiast and native Kentuckian, it is an honor for me to take this position representing Kentucky’s signature industry,” Neely said. “I look forward to working with KEEP’s board and its 10,000-plus members all across Kentucky to implement policies and programs that both protect and grow the industry