TAA hires Hastie as executive director

James Hastie has been hired as the executive director of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), effective Nov. 18., and will be based in the organization’s Lexington, Ky., offices.

Hastie will succeed Mike Ziegler in the position at TAA, a non-profit organization designed to serve as both an accrediting body for Thoroughbred aftercare facilities and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities. Ziegler, who has served as executive director since March 2012, will remain with the organization through a transition period before returning full-time to his role as executive director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

“We’re pleased to welcome James to the TAA,” Thoroughbred owner Jack Wolf, the TAA’s board president, said. “His leadership and fundraising experience, combined with his passion and appreciation for horses, make him uniquely qualified to lead the organization in its mission to establish an industry-wide solution for Thoroughbred aftercare. We would also like to thank Mike Ziegler for his dedication and leadership of the TAA. He has been integral in our initial accreditation and fundraising, and in establishing industry-wide support for our efforts.”

Hastie joins the TAA from Cazenovia, N.Y., and brings 15 years of executive management, fundraising and communications experience. He most recently served as Major Gifts Officer for the American Red Cross in Syracuse, N.Y., where his responsibilities included identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and communications with major donors. He also held roles as Interim Chief Development Officer and Public Affairs Specialist at the American Red Cross. His prior experience includes leadership roles at State University of New York, Zurich Rowing World Cup, IMG/TWI, the U.S. Equestrian Team, and Walt Disney World, Inc. Hastie holds a Master of Science in communications management from Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Science in communications and marketing from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y.

Hastie also brings a long history of involvement with equestrian sports. He served as Director of Communications for the U.S. Equestrian Team from 1997 to 2000, and as Executive Director of the Morrisville College Foundation (MCF) he spearheaded fundraising efforts to build the Morrisville State College Equine Rehabilitation Center. He was also involved in organizing the 2012 American Express Ride for The Red Cross, a trail ride in Wellington, Fla., featuring Olympic riders and benefitting the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.