Jack deWit, President of the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF), has announced the planned retirement of OEF Executive Director, Marcia Barrett, effective December 31, 2008. “It is with much disappointment that the Board of Directors has accepted the decision to retire by its Chief Executive Officer at the end of the year”, reported deWit, “as Marcia has been a significant force in growing the organization and positioning it within the equine community”.
Barrett, having held the position since May 1999, informed the Board of her decision to take early retirement from a 37-year career in the management of non-profit organizations. “It was with a tremendous amount of anticipation, anguish, excitement and trepidation – yes, all at the same time! – that I made the decision to retire from the active workforce in order to spend more time with my newly-retired husband to pursue our dream of a less hectic and demanding lifestyle”, stated Barrett. “I have enjoyed my time with the OEF and consider this to have been the ‘fun job’ within a career which has also included the medical and financial sectors. The passion our members have for their horses has been evident in my dealings with them, making it easier to visualize, develop and promote concepts and programs. I’ve formed life-long friendships amongst staff, Directors, members and colleagues across the country – that doesn’t always happen in all business environments”.
Under Barrett’s leadership, the OEF now boasts 20,000 members, offers an extensive benefits program, partners with more than 500 affiliated organizations, horse facilities and equine-related businesses, communicates effectively via print and internet, has experienced unprecedented success in its advocacy efforts on tax and safety issues, and is highly respected by such associates as Equine Guelph, the racing community, the Ministries of Health Promotion, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Tourism, and Transportation, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and the Ontario Trails Council.
Allan Ehrlick, President at the time Barrett was recruited to guide the organization, recalls “the decision to hire a ‘non-horse person’ was a departure which, ultimately, was the right one for the organizations. We have been blessed and fortunate to have had someone of Marcia’s talent and integrity to lead us.”
The OEF is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Director effective January 1, 2009, hoping to take advantage of the available timeframe to provide the selected candidate with the opportunity to work beside Barrett from November 1, 2008. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resumé via mail to the HR Committee, Ontario Equestrian Federation, 9120 Leslie Street, Suite 203, Richmond Hill, ON, L4B 3J9 or via email to execdir@horse.on.ca by August 15, 2008.
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