Lexington, KY – (May 19, 2023) – Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA) announces the election of James “Jim” Hamilton DVM as Chair of the Board of Directors. Jim originally joined the Board back in 2007 when the organization was founded and after a hiatus, has returned to lead the nonprofit.
Over the years, Jim has been instrumental in the development of administrative policies and operational procedures, all contributing toward organizational growth. He has been a contributor toward strong relationships with the equine veterinary community and has positioned the organization as a partner to the AAEP (American Association for Equine Partnership) and The Foundation of the Horse.
Jim has also participated in Brooke USA’s national advocacy efforts toward combating the import and sale of ejiao, a product made from the gelatin produced from donkey hides and used in traditional Chinese medicine. Hundreds of thousands of donkeys across the world are stolen, smuggled, and slaughtered each year to meet an ever-increasing demand for ejiao, threatening the lives of these equines and the livelihoods of people. The United States is the third largest consumer of ejiao in the world.
“I am excited to lead Brooke USA’s Board of Directors and work closely with fellow Board members and staff to further execute our mission-driven strategy,” said Jim. “I know that many challenges lie ahead but I’m confident that we will continue to build support by making new friends and extending our work.”
“Brooke USA has a very bright future, and I look forward to leveraging our greater strength and exceptional talent to grow our presence, increase awareness for our mission and raise the needed funds to make a significant difference in the lives of equines and people in the developing world,” Jim concluded.
Jim succeeds Katherine Kaneb from Wellington, FL who served in the Chair role for the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Katherine said, “It has been an honor to serve as Board Chair. I am confident in the future and in Jim’s leadership as Brooke USA continues to grow and fund more programs that improve the lives of working equines and people.” She added, “I have no doubt that Jim’s deep knowledge of Brooke USA, coupled with his veterinary expertise, will help realize Brooke USA’s full potential.”
Brooke USA Chief Executive Officer Emily Dulin stated, “Jim has been instrumental to our success since she joined the Board of Directors at the very beginning. His deep knowledge of the equestrian industry makes him asset as we continue expand our brand across the country.”
Brooke USA’s 2023 Board of Directors is comprised of:
Officers:
- James “Jim” Hamilton, DVM; Board Chair; Southern Pines, NC
- Laura Rombauer, St. Helena, CA
- Mark Beausoleil; Treasurer, Boca Raton, FL
- Lisa Bair, Secretary, Wellington, FL
- David Jones, Chair Emeritus; Asheboro, NC
Directors-at-large:
- Pernilla Ammann; Wellington, FL
- Tami Fratis; Ocala, FL
- Sally Frick; Campobello, SC
- Dwayne Hildreth; Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
- Gill Johnston; Wellington, FL
- John Nicholson, Past Board Chair; Georgetown, KY
- Katie Roth; Aiken, SC
- Holly Sampson; Duluth, MN
- Jennifer Schechter, Wellington, FL
- Lisa Spoden: Delray Beach, FL
- Chris Tattersall; East Sussex, UK
- Tannetta Fentener van Vlissingen, Southern Pines, NC
- Julia Wilson, DVM, Stillwater, MN
- Stuart Wilson, Newport Beach, CA
About Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA): The mission of Brooke USA is to significantly improve the health, welfare and productivity of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them for survival worldwide. We are committed to sustainable economic development by reducing poverty, increasing food security, ensuring access to water, providing a means to education, and raising basic standards of living through improved equine health and welfare. We accomplish this by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.
Brooke USA strives to alleviate the suffering and vulnerability of developing communities by funding and implementing programs that improve the quality of life and health of working equines and thereby positively impacting their economic sustainability, protecting the planet, ensuring gender equality, and guaranteeing life on land resilience. We want to see healthy, happy people and equines that work in partnership to achieve sustainable local economies.
