David Howard (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge]

Howard is the president of Walking Horse Report and the chairman of the Celebration board of directors.

"I hate what has happened," said Howard, explaining why the Celebration board of directors voted last Tuesday to ask Thomas to resign. "There's not a single director that wanted to make that vote, but we felt we had no choice."

Howard said there were issues surrounding Thomas' performance and his integrity that led to the board's tough decision.

Following the vote, the board offered Thomas what he termed an attractive severance package, to which he did not agree.

"The Celebration made a mistake by not going public earlier," said Howard, stating they wanted to give Thomas an opportunity to announce his resignation prior to the board doing so.

"Ron was here for 20-plus years," said Howard, acknowledging Thomas' dedication to the Celebration. "We hope that we can come to an agreement with Ron."

Last week, Virgil Johnson was appointed as interim CEO.

"Virgil is the steadiest man on the planet," said Howard.

Earlier this week, Charles McDonald, John T. Bobo and Howard were appointed by the Celebration board to assist Johnson. The board also announced that they were in the process of forming a search committee to replace Thomas.

It is their hope to have the position filled within 60 to 90 days.

"We have about 15 to 20 resumes," said Howard. "The money is good, and this is a job in high demand."

Howard dispelled rumors that attorney Craig Evans or Howard's son Jeffrey Howard, the new publisher of Walking Horse Report, have been hired to fill the position.

He also clarified that no one's job is in jeopardy at the Celebration, despite rumors that recent activities at the Celebration have been economically motivated.

Prior to openly and candidly discussing the Thomas resignation, Howard expressed his concerns about the industry as a whole.

"We are in the toughest times I have seen," he said. "The industry has been in turmoil for the past two years."

He clearly explained how a divided industry led to the 2006 shutdown.

In 2007, attendance was low and stalls were not filled, he said. But the show steadily went on, which was a positive sign.

Recently, meetings and leadership changes have given Howard hope that unification and better times may be in the near future. Link Webb, new president of the Walking Horse Trainers' Association, "is great and he's already been over to meet with me twice," said Howard.

He also said that Frank Neal, new president of the Walking Horse Owners' Association, is a friend of the Celebration.

David Pruett is the new president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association and he recently pledged to change the direction of the Breeders' organization to represent all aspects of the industry.

Howard said he is dedicated to doing what he can to unify the industry.

"The Celebration is not just a horse show anymore," he said. "If the industry struggles, we all struggle," acknowledging the enormous impact the Celebration has on the local community.

"The Celebration is bigger than Ron Thomas and it's bigger than the board of directors," he said, as he asked the community for its support in getting through tough times. "We can do better if we all pull together."

Howard concluded his well-received speech by stating, despite recent tough times, the industry is not going to die.

"Why?" he asked. "Because we're not going to let it."