Lori Rawls was appointed Executive Director of the American Horse Shows Association by Alan F. Balch, President of the AHSA with the unanimous recommendation of the AHSA Search Committee and Executive Committee on Oct. 23, pending approval of the Board of Directors in January 2001. Rawls was the Association’s first employee hired in Lexington, in August 1998. She began as the AHSA’s Controller and was a key player in starting the AHSA’s main offices in Lexington. She was promoted to Assistant Executive Director of Finance in December 1999 and assumed the Acting Executive Director duties in June 2000.

“I am honored by the Search Committee’s confidence in me and am looking forward to meeting the challenges and expectations of working with the AHSA’s membership, Board and staff,” said Rawls. In addition to Rawls’ experience and contribution at the AHSA, she is married to Townes Rawls and they have two daughters, Ashton, 3 years and Abby Grace, 1 year.

As Executive Director, Rawls will be responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the AHSA, which sanctions over 2,600 competitions annually, has more than 75,000 members and operates with a total staff of 95 at present