The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association has announced the hiring of its new executive director.

After an extensive search over several months and the consideration of many candidates with outstanding qualifications, the OHHA Board of Directors has chosen Ohio native Renée L. Mancino to lead the rapidly-growing membership into the future.

Mancino is a Cuyahoga Community College Summa Cum Laude graduate, University of Akron Magna Cum Laude graduate, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas-Boyd School of Law charter class graduate, where she served on the Society of Advocates and received high honours for academic excellence in Gaming Law.

Mancino has over 35 years of racing involvement with both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing. As a private practice attorney, licensed in Nevada, Utah, and pending admission in Ohio, Mancino has a primary specialty preference for Gaming Law, including Equine Law, Indian Gaming Law, Racing and Wagering Law with a special interest in Racino Legislation.

Mancino has represented horsemen's associations, horsemen, and recently was brought on board by the Minnesota Racing Commission as a special advisory attorney. Racing jurisdictions she has represented in or advised on cases in include Nevada, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio. Mancino has also served on the executive board of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association for the last three years, most recently as the vice president.

After several successful years of practicing law, her relocation back to Ohio comes at just the right time to make this union possible and bring Mancino’s experience and talent back to the Buckeye State for the benefit of all that call Ohio their racing home.

Mancino will begin January 5, 2015 with the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association. Retiring general manager Jerry Knappenberger after several years of excellent dedicated service, will be assisting with the transition over the next several months.

(With files from OHHA)