The American Farrier’s Association (AFA) has hired a new executive director, Bryan Quinsey, who comes to the AFA with an extensive background in marketing, economic development, operations, and visioning. Quinsey’s experience and skills are a direct fit with the AFA executive director role requirements; he has worked with Chambers of Commerce, Tri-County Economic Development Corporation, and volunteer organizations, both as a volunteer and leader of volunteers. Common themes that stood out in Quinsey’s interview process and reference checks were his honesty, incredibly high work ethic, communication skills, and achieving measurable results.
 
While working as the executive director of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Quinsey was primarily responsible for recruitment of new investment into the county.  During the 2001 and 2002 Masters Gold Tournament, Quinsey was the primary staff person for both the Georgia Red Carpet Tour and Augusta Showcase. As the vice president for the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-Ed), Quinsey was responsible for recruiting new businesses into three counties of Northern Kentucky. Over a five-year period (1996-2000) he worked to recruit over $1.4 billion in new investment and 15,000 new jobs to Northern Kentucky.

Quinsey’s interest and affection for the equine industry came as early as high school when he was employed as a groom, trainer, and manager at horse operations in Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and his native Ontario, Canada. He has worked with show horses, racehorses, and carriage driving horses. Quinsey is also a former contributor for numerous horse magazines, including The Hackney Journal, Horse World, and Saddle & Bridle. He is a former member of the board of directors of the Carriage Association of America, a former member of the United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA) and American Hackney Horse Society (AHHS).
 
Quinsey began work with the AFA on Dec. 1, and his immediate focus will be the AFA’s 33rd Annual Convention, to be held in Rochester, N.Y., Feb. 25-28, 2004. The AFA’s Annual Convention attracts leading farriers and veterinarians specializing in hoof care. Drawing more than 1,000 farriers from the AFA’s 55 chapters and 23 countries, this annual event focuses on continuing education and features lectures, demonstrations, hands-on clinics, discussions, awards, contests, and more. 
 
Quinsey’s continued focus will be on increasing awareness of the AFA and its educational programs, growth and retention of members, development of sponsorship and alliances, and ensuring fiscal health and balance. Quinsey will work closely with Ink & Anvil, publisher of the Professional Farrier, to ensure that the official magazine of the AFA continues to be a strong, informative, and educational member benefit.
 
The AFA wishes to recognize and thank Lisa Knipp, who has been acting as the interim executive director since the end of June. Knipp’s experience with operations and project management brought stability and process to the AFA foundation in the office, with the Board of Directors, and with the general membership. Knipp will transition the AFA work to Quinsey during the first two weeks in December. The AFA wishes Knipp good luck in her future career endeavors