The executive committee of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association has hired Duane Belvoir to replace general manager Ralph Vacca, who is retiring after 46 years with the WTBA. Vacca has been the association’s general manager since 1970.
Belvoir will officially take the helm Jan. 1, 2008. He will begin his employment Nov. 12 as assistant to Vacca.
“We are very excited that Duane Belvoir will be joining the WTBA staff to succeed our extraordinary long-time general manager Ralph Vacca,” WTBA president David Thorner said in a statement. “Duane has excellent credentials and references, and he will bring a great deal of enthusiasm, energy, and innovation to the position.”
Belvoir will have six weeks to work alongside Vacca before he retires. Among the events in which he will participate is the Dec. 2 WTBA winter mixed sale.
Belvoir comes from one of Washington’s foremost racing families. His father, Clarence, respected throughout the country in the field of equine transportation, is general manager for the Washington-based American Horse Transportation. His uncle, Howard, is consistently among the leading trainers in the state, and his cousin, Vann, a former leading jockey at Emerald Downs, is now training racehorses.
Belvoir has a master of business administration and graduated with a bachelor of sciences degree from Oregon State University. He has 11 years of experience supervising and directing non-profit organizations and has owned and managed a retail business. He and his wife, Angela, have four daughters.
