LEXINGTON, VA—Following the Virginia Horse Center Foundation’s June 3, 2024, quarterly meeting, the organization’s Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Shank are pleased to announce the addition of Rebecca Polan of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Alan Lohman of Poolesville, Maryland, to the Board for each to serve a three-year term.

Ms. Polan is Chair of the Board of her 114-year-old family businesses, REO Processing & REO Logistics. Additionally, she serves on the State of Virginia’s Supply Chain and International Trade Executive Committee as well as chairing the 7,000-member Global Family Business Network (GFBN) within the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a 34,000-member global leadership community of Presidents and CEOs from more than 140 countries. 

A life-long equestrian, and a competitor in several disciplines - notably CCI** level Eventing, and a Dressage silver medal holder, Ms. Polan has organized and managed shows for upper-level competitions and has had active roles in Olympic selection trials, World Equestrian Games, Pan Am Games, and numerous local, regional, and international competitions.  

Mr. Lohman started Lohman Stables Inc. in 2004–a hunter/jumper barn designed to help riders and horses of all ages excel in the show ring. Originally from Waynesboro, PA, he became interested in riding through his grandfather, Tuttie Chadwell. Mr. Lohman has his R-judging card in hunters and equitation. He also course designs frequently throughout the country at shows such as Pin Oak Charity Horse Show (TX), Devon Horse Show & Country Fair (PA), Pennsylvania National Horse Show (PA), USEF Medal Finals (PA), ASPCA Maclay Finals (KY) and the USHJA International Derby Finals (KY). In 2016, he received the USHJA Course Designer of the Year Award. 

Foundation Board President Roxanne Booth commented, “As we look to the Horse Center’s 40th anniversary, we enthusiastically welcome the addition of Rebecca and Alan to the Board and are grateful for their willingness to share their expertise in their respective disciplines with us. Their dedication to and love of the horse coupled with high business acumen is exactly what is needed to position us for the future as the landscape around horse sport continually evolves. We are intentional in ensuring that diversity of discipline is part of our Board composition, and Rebecca and Alan most certainly fit the bill.”

Ms. Polan and Mr. Lohman are joined on the Board by President Roxanne Booth (Charlottesville), Vice President Kenneth Wheeler, Jr. (Keswick), Secretary Elizabeth Horsley (Richmond), and Immediate Past President Gardy Bloemers (Esmont). Directors Judith Bishop (Washington, DC), Brooks Cushman (Middlebrook), William Heizer (Staunton), Col. David Lands (Gloucester), Dudley Macfarlane (Charlottesville), Judy U. Miller (Hampton), Dr. Christina Russillo (Purcellville), Brian Ross (Fairfield), George Williams (Scottsville), Owen Weaver (Greensboro, NC), and Chris Wynne (Chesapeake) comprise the remainder of the 17-member Board.