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Read comments (5)Thomas, speaking through his wife Cathy, told the Times-Gazette he was fired.
Thomas has served in the position since 1984; his title was originally executive secretary but that was later changed to CEO.
"The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration announce that Chief Executive Officer and Show Manager Ron Thomas will no longer serve in that position," begins the release.
Celebration board chairman David L. Howard is also president of the company which owns Walking Horse Report. Howard could not be reached for comment by press time.
Virtually no one contacted by the Times-Gazette would go on record about Thomas' departure, which comes at a time of great turmoil within the horse industry. The Celebration recently announced that it was forming its own Horse Industry Organization, to supervise compliance with federal regulations, a move which reportedly caused conflict with some industry groups. There has also been a struggle for leadership postions in the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association.
Both the Walking Horse Trainers' Association and TWHBEA have major meetings planned this weekend.
Earlier in the day, the Walking Horse Report had announced that Thomas had resigned, but the official press release merely states that he is no longer serving in the position, without further explanation. Thomas, however, says he was fired and did not choose to leave.
"During his tenure, The Celebration saw unparalleled growth in entries, attendance, and corporate sponsor support," reads the news release. "A building program also saw the advent of Calsonic Arena, Champions Arena, Celebration Plaza, and a re-build of nearly half the barns at the venue. Thomas was inducted into the TWHNC Hall of Fame in 2004."
"Ron's service to The Celebration is appreciated by current and past members of our board," said Howard in the news release. "He helped sharpen The Celebration's identity and bring it into the twenty-first century. We all wish him the very best."
The e-mail which contained the news release stated that the Celebration would have no further comment at that time.
The Celebration began in 1939, draws thousands of entries and thousands of spectators each year, and is the focal point of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry in Bedford County and the surrounding area. In addition, Calsonic Arena now brings other equine and non-equine groups to town year-round, generating tourism revenue for the community. The 70th annual Celebration is scheduled for Aug. 20-30, 2008.
T-G staff writer Sadie Fowler contributed to this report.
The Celebration has named Mr. Virgil Johnson as interium CEO.
The first best thing Mr. Johnson could do would be to assemble the Celebration Association, evaluate the chain of events that led to Mr. Thomas being fired and relook at all those who serve on the Celebration BOD. If Mr. Howard stays... its only going to get worse. Mr Howard has taken advantage of his position on the Celebration BOD for personal gain. NO other industry publication is allowed to distribute on the Celebration grounds. His promotion company did business with the Celebration why he was sitting on the board. Its a clinical example of a conflict of interest. The show is too important to that community, to the walking horse community, and to this state of Tennessee to allow Mr. Howard to keep playing it like a card game. He needs to be asked to resign.
The Celebration is a non profit 501 c3 organisation. ANY Bedford county citizen or any citizen for that matter can walk in and get minites from most of these meetings. The Celebration Association who elects the BOD, for the betterment of the shows future, needs to get control of that BOD.
First let me say that Ron Thomas brought The Celebration into the modern age. He got the trainers out of fire trapped barns, brought in paved streets, and brought entertainment to the event. This year he established guidelines that improved the image of the whole show and it was very successful. Its rather obvious huge conflicts of interest between the TWHNC Chairman, a publisher, doing business with the Celebration, excluding all other TWH publications, and setting on the board led to the opposition to Ron remaining in my oppinion. I believe this continuation of conflicts of interest are damaging the TWHNC board.
The citizens of Shebyville have been wonderful hosts dating back to 1939. I don't think the founders of the show intended for a person like the current Chairman to rule on a tangant of personal advantage. Too many good people exist in Shelbyville, who support the show, and the industry, for greed to step in the way.
The TWHNC will miss Mr. Thomas, and I would hope the Celebration Association would step in and make changes on the BOD that would return him to his position.
I hate to say this, but the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry is dying.
This year's Celebration is the proof in the pudding. Attendance was very low and there was little enthusiasm.
I think the Chamber of Commerce should look into bringing in the Thoroughbred Racing Industry to Tennessee. Big money maker for the state's coffers and it would generate year round employment and revenue.
Friends may come, and friends may go, but enemies accumulate.
Finally. Now they can move forward with a new face and new attitude.