The Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) has welcomed Dale McNeill as its Executive Director as the organization continues to serve as the united voice for Ontario harness horsepeople.

COSA’s hiring committee engaged in a thorough process, with McNeill emerging as the standout candidate. He was appointed as Executive Director last month and began the new position with COSA on April 1.

“Dale has extensive knowledge relating to the horse racing industry as an owner and his family was involved in horse racing for many years,” said Bill O'Donnell, President of COSA. “In the end, the hiring committee decided that Dale would be the perfect addition to the COSA staff as Executive Director.”

McNeill’s professional background is in manufacturing and he served as a senior leader of operations with Valle Foam Ltd. for more than two decades. He was the Technical Director of the Canadian Flexible Foam Manufacturers Association, an industry group made up of Canadian polyurethane foam manufacturers.

As Executive Director, McNeill will work closely with COSA staff and report directly to O’Donnell and the Board of Directors.

“I’m very excited to step into this role,” said McNeill. “I’m ready to get to work representing COSA members on issues or concerns affecting racing in Ontario and give back to the racing community that has been good to me and my family.”

O’Donnell will continue to serve as COSA’s President and participate on industry boards such as Ontario Racing, Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, Standardbred Canada and the Standardbred Improvement Program Committee.

In the short term, McNeill is focused on learning COSA’s operations and building relationships with key contacts in the industry.

“Long term I look forward to helping lead the organization forward for the membership,” said McNeill. “I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to use my expertise to oversee the day-to-day operations of COSA.”

McNeill can be reached at [email protected].

(With files from Ontario Racing)