The Florida Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association has named Thomas H. Hicks as its executive director, effective June 6

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Hicks has been a breeder/owner of standardbred horses for over 30 years and has bred leading stakes-winning trotters including world champion Crazed, a grand circuit stakes winner of over $1 million, Casa Marina, Gift Card, Attitude Dance and Tropical Bay. Hicks and his firm have also provided strategic and financial advisory services to entities involved in the harness racing industry.

Hicks is founder and managing partner of Renaissance Partners LLC, a turnaround and crisis management firm which has focused on companies operating in the consumer products, retailing, hospitality/entertainment, manufacturing and service industries. Renaissance has enhanced clients’ enterprise value by improving cash flow and profitability, marketing and merchandising, information technology, logistics, and asset productivity.

Hicks earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, a BA degree from St. John Fisher College and completed the AMP at Harvard Business School. He serves on the board of the Florida Chapters of the Association for Corporate Growth, Commercial Finance Association and the Turnaround Management Association and is a faculty member of the Harvard Business School Management Development Program at Queens University McColl School of Business.

“The FSBOA is very pleased to welcome Tom Hicks to lead our association," said FSBOA President Mike Deters. "Tom has a proven track record of success in the business world coupled with decades of experience, knowledge and success in the harness racing industry, both in North America and internationally. We believe that Tom will use his skills to lead our association successfully to benefit our Florida horsemen, Florida racing and the Florida-bred program.”

(With files from the FSBOA)