The Little Brown Jug Society has announced that it has elected a new president and four new members during its annual fall meeting, which took place this morning at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Tom Wright was elected President of the Little Brown Jug Society. Wright takes over the roll his father-in-law Tom Thomson held for 20 years.

"It's an exciting and challenging time for the Harness industry and I'm honored the board has placed me with such a great honour. I want to continue the work Tom did to make the Little Brown Jug the best race in the industry said Wright."

Phil Terry will move into the Vice President’s position and Bill Lowe will serve as the Secretary.

The society also announced the election of Jim Simpson, Tom Charters, Don “Skip” Hoovler and Senena Esty as directors.

Simpson is the President and CEO of Hanover Shoe Farms, the sport’s leading breeder. Simpson was elected to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2010. Hanover Shoe Farm has bred eleven Little Brown Jug champions.

Charters is the President of the Hambletonian Society and the Breeders Crown. The Springfield, Ohio native was enshrined into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Hoovler is the chairman of Hoovler Financial and Insurance Services and is a long-time horse owner. Hoovler is a Past President of the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association and a Director of the United States Trotting Association.

Esty operates Spring Haven Farm in Utica, OH and serves as a Director of the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association. Esty was the Lady Pace Honouree during Delaware’s Grand Circuit meet in 2011.

The new Jug directors replace the retiring H. Charles Armstrong, Laverne Hill and Thurman Downing and Paul Spears who passed away in August.

The society elected to leave one board position vacant for one year as a tribute to the work and dedication of Tom Thomson who passed away last January.

(LBJ)