2010 Board of Directors
Upcoming Meeting Dates & Agenda
Carol Anderson Ward
Owner of the Murieta Equestrian Center since 1982, Carol and her father Fred Anderson developed the facility into a leading equestrian event center. Carol has held many industry leadership roles to help improve the quality of the horse industry and sport of competition, including serving on the board of directors of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the UC Davis Center for Equine Health, the National Cutting Horse Association and numerous other boards and leadership committees.
Along with her business hat, Carol has been at the top of competition starting as a teen showing Angus cattle, then breeding and racing thoroughbreds, riding jumpers, and for the past 12 years successfully competing in the sport of Cutting. Carol has developed and produces a world class Futurity Cutting event, the El Rancho Futurity & Foothill Fiesta.
Driving passions often stated by Carol, include, “A horse needs an opportunity to earn a living” and “I want to ensure horses are treated justly, with respect and appreciation.” She also works to encourage their caretakers to be educated and enlightened.
Carol earned her Bachelor degree from California State University, Chico.
A tremendous joy for Carol is spending time with family and friends, especially with daughter Erin, granddaughter Hannah, daughter Taylor and grandson Mathew, granddaughter Emma, son Bill, and step-daughter Kelly Jo.Maryann Subbotin
Maryann comes to the West Coast Equine Foundation with more than 20 years of experience in foundation directorship. As WCEF’s director she is responsible for carrying out the organization’s mission and goals relative to ensuring the foundation’s long-range plan is achieved. Her annual goals include the development and implementation of fundraising, and program and financial plans.
Her previous development and management experience includes the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Sacramento Children’s Home, the Sacramento SPCA and the City of Sacramento Parks & Recreation Services. She has served on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Global Food Bank, chaired both the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon and the Academy of Fundraising Conference, and was a member of the United Way Public & Media Relations Committee. She’s also a member of the California Parks & Recreation Society.
Maryann earned her Bachelors degree from California State University, Fresno, in Parks & Recreation Management, and was a member of the Fresno University Equestrian Team.
When not working, Maryann enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing and cycling.
Abbie Nelson
A fifth-generation Angus breeder, Abbie and her husband, Mark, own Five Star Land and Livestock where they’ve raised their four children − Andra, Adam, Katie and Ryan − and share their country lifestyle with six grandchildren.
The Nelsons have always used working horses on their Wilton ranch and in 2003 added performance horse breeding to their achievements. They’ve already sold horses to buyers in the United States and as far away as Brazil, Venezuela and Germany.
During her lifelong involvement in the Angus industry, Abbie has held leadership roles in the California Angus Association (director, 12 years; president, two terms), the Angus Foundation (president), the American Angus Association (director), the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association (president), and the California State Fair Task Force (chair), among other organizations.
Upon joining the WCEF board, Abbie stated, “I believe that the West Coast Equine Foundation has the values and principals we all should choose to live by. Carol Ward has the best interests of the community at heart and I hope to be able to contribute to the Foundation’s mission and guidelines.”
Kassy Perry
Kassy is an admired public relations veteran who has charted a distinctive intersection between public policy, advocacy, issues management and media relations. As an advisor to presidents, governors, state and federal lawmakers and corporate executives, Kassy has earned the respect of opinion leaders and the media. Throughout her career as a journalist, public servant and business owner, she has achieved accolades for her vision and leadership.
Kassy leads the strategic planning and creative direction of Perry Communications Group’s award-winning work. She provides big picture thinking and a dose of reality, when needed, to best meet her clients’ diverse communications needs. Clients trust her as their strategic advisor and public spokesperson.
Kassy is a member of numerous professional and voluntary boards and organizations.
Outside of the public relations world, she pursues her life-long equestrian passion as a nationally ranked competitor on the show jumping circuit with her horse Caillou. Kassy's children are also equestrians. Sixteen-year-old Kaitlin competes with and against her mother on the A Circuit. Both Kassy and Kaitlin train with Debbie Stone of Nighthorse Farm. Morgan, who attends Cal Poly, SLO, is majoring in Agribusiness with a focus on rangeland resource management and equine science. She spends her summers as a wrangler at the Gros Ventre River Ranch in Wyoming.
Melissa Thurber
To Come
Kelly Van Vleck
To Come
