Though AQHA operates primarily upon the decisions of its members through the board of directors, the five-person executive committee is responsible for implementing these important decisions and governing AQHA between the annual meetings of the membership and the board.
The AQHA Executive Committee - consisting of a president, first vice president, second vice president and two additional members - is elected each year by the board at the AQHA Convention. Each member serves a term of one year until the selection of his/her successor. The executive committee convenes bimonthly at AQHA International Headquarters in Amarillo to conduct business and consider all disciplinary matters.
Jim Helzer is CEO and President of JEH Stallion Stations and JEH Company plus many other JEH entities. JEH Stallion Stations are commercial horse breeding operations and the other companies are distribution, real estate and investment companies.
With his wife, Marilyn, he established JEH Stallion Station in 1994, and it has become one of the leading equine facilities in the Southwest.
Born in Loveland, Colorado, Jim began racing American Quarter Horses in his home state in 1962. Since then, the Helzers have successfully raced American Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds throughout the United States.
The most noteworthy Quarter Horse campaigned by the Helzers was Refrigerator, the sport's world champion in 1992 and 1993. The winner of the 1990 All American Futurity (GI) after the Helzers supplemented him to the race for $50,000, Refrigerator is currently Quarter Horse racing’s leading all-time money earner at $2,126,309. He is the only three-time winner of the Grade 1 Champion of Champions, the sport’s richest and most prestigious race for older horses.
Jim has been an AQHA Director and chair of the AQHA Racing Council. He also is a member and past president of the Texas Quarter Horse Association and a member and past director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. Currently, Jim also serves on the board of the Texas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association as its past president and as a member of the Texas Horsemen's Partnership management committee. He is also president of Texas HORSE.
Johannes Orgeldinger of Grosswallstadt, Germany, is a 25-year breeder and the first person from outside the United States to serve on the executive committee.
Johannes and his wife, Astrid, own and operate a gravel and stone company and JOMM Ranches in Grosswallstadt, Germany, as well as Main River Quarter Horses in Gainesville, Texas. At their JOMM ranch, there are about 70 American Quarter Horses, including stallion Fritz Power, a remarkable 24-year-old buckskin stallion that was tremendously successful in the show arena and is now an equally successful sire.
In 1979, Johannes bought his first American Quarter Horse and has been involved in the industry ever since. He has earned championships in German and European competition in western pleasure, trail and cutting.
Johannes became an equally successful breeder. At their JOMM Ranch, Johannes and Astrid breed and raise all-around horses as well as reining horses. Johannes was named DQHA Leading Breeder for 10 years and was the breeder of the German Champion of Champions six times. He was key in organizing and conducting one of the largest AQHA-approved shows in Europe since 1986 and has hosted AQHA judging seminars since 1983.
At his Main River Ranch in Gainesville, Texas, Johannes and Astrid breed cutting and reining horses.
Johannes has served on the affiliate council as well as the stud book and registration and nomination and credentials committees. Johannes also served as the discipline manager of reining for the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Dick Monahan of Walla Walla, Washington, is a practicing lawyer and has been heavily involved in racing horses and promoting racing in the Northwest. After serving 20 years as an AQHA director from Washington, he is currently an AQHA Director at Large. Dick has served as chair of the racing committee and racing council, has served on the Hall of Fame committee, and has chaired the nominations and credentials committee. Dick and his wife, Brenda, have raised and raced American Quarter Horses for more than 30 years.
The Monahans have two married daughters, Bridie, who practices law with her father, and Casey, who is head of the English department at Walla Walla High School. He has four grandchildren. As a youngster, daughter Bridie Hood campaigned American Quarter Horses in AQHA shows.
Dick and Brenda have owned numerous broodmares and running horses including Movin Niner, a multiple derby and stakes winner, and Silk And Sassy, who is tied for 22nd on the all-time leading AQHA broodmare list by winners with 13 winning foals.
Dick received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho before graduating from the University of Idaho law school. In 2009, Dick was recognized as a Graduate of Distinction from Walla Walla Public Schools.
Peter Cofrancesco III has a long heritage in the American Quarter Horse business. His father, Peter J. Cofrancesco Jr., was an AQHA Director and established Peter J. Cofrancesco Farms Inc. in Sparta, New Jersey, which is now owned by Peter’s mother, Peggy Cofrancesco.
Educated at Delaware Valley College, Peter received an honorary doctorate from Centenary College. Peter is chair of the Grinnell Group of Companies, which includes several entities, including solid waste and recycling, real estate and concrete products manufacturing.
Peter was AQHYA president in 1991 and is the first youth president to serve on the executive committee. He has served on the youth, public policy and nominations and credentials committees, as well as the affiliate council. He and his wife, Carmen, live in Sparta and have three children: Ireland, 8, Peter IV, 6, and Emma, 3.
Gene Graves of Grand Island, Nebraska, was elected to the executive committee during the 69th AQHA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. A director from Nebraska, Graves has served on numerous committees and was most recently vice chair of the nominations and credentials committee.
A 1959 graduate of Midland College and a 1969 Master of Science graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Graves is the retired president of Bosselman Inc. Pump & Pantry Division, which included 35 convenience stores. Gene is auctioneer of Diamond G Auction Company and is a realtor for Century 21. He is a member of Rotary International, Habitat for Humanity and Nebraska Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He also serves as Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce Committee Chairman.
Gene’s wife, Barbara, shows in western riding, showmanship, western pleasure and horsemanship. Barbara was featured in the American Quarter Horse Foundation’s “One Donor” advertising campaign.
Gene and Barbara’s daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Jim Duncan live in Broken Bow, Nebraska, along with their two children, Taylor and Samuel.
