Our Board & Members
Kristal Freese ◀︎◀︎◀︎
President (23, 24, 25)
Kristal was born and raised in central Iowa and attended Iowa State University in Ames where she earned a degree in Animal Science. She has a life-long obsession with horses, owning and showing them since childhood. In 2018 that passion for horses led her to enter the world of horse racing with the purchase of their first racehorse. They’ve been racing horses here at Prairie Meadows, as well as Remington Park, Oaklawn Park and elsewhere ever since. They recently expanded into the world of horse breeding with plans to race those foals.
Brandi Jo Fett ◀︎◀︎◀︎
Executive Director (25, 26, 27)
Brandi is a lifelong Iowan with deep roots in the state’s thoroughbred racing community. Her passion for the sport began early, growing up on the backside of Prairie Meadows, where her family’s horse, Holmish, won the first-ever race at the track in 1989. Brandi brings decades of hands-on experience as an owner, trainer, and dedicated advocate for horsemen across Iowa and beyond. A current board member of the Iowa HBPA, she serves on several committees, including Benevolence and the newly formed Backside Enrichment Committee, and is a founding member of HART, Iowa’s Thoroughbred Retirement Group.
Nikki Ferwerda ◀︎◀︎◀︎
Secretary/Treasurer (24, 25, 26)
Nikki is an Associate Teaching Professor and Equine Farm Manager in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University (ISU). She has been a faculty member at ISU since 2007, where she teaches a range of undergraduate courses in equine science. She also manages the University’s Horse Farm, overseeing daily operations, including horse care, breeding, marketing, and the facility’s use for teaching, research, and extracurricular activities. Nikki grew up in Nebraska enjoying horses and other livestock through 4H and spent time in Missouri and Texas before arriving in Iowa. She currently serves as the ITBOA secretary, chairs the Scholarship committee and assists with the stallion auction.
2025 Committee Assignments
Find the 2025 committees, their chairs and responsibilities listed here.
Note: All board members will be expected to participate in the recruitment of new members and provide content for the newsletter.
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Fall Sale:
Co-chairs: Josie McShane and Mike Vanderpool
Responsibilities: Select an auctioneer, assist with sales, assign roles to directors, proof catalog pages and more.
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Legislative:
Chair: Scott Weiser, Lobbyist
Responsibilities: Identify issues to bring towards legislation.
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Membership:
Co-chairs: Deb Moss and Christa Jordan
Responsibilities: Membership recruitment, membership renewal and retention issues.
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Newsletter:
Chair: Brandi Fett
Responsibilities: Compile and organize newsletter content.
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Stallion Auction:
Chair: Nikki Ferwerda
Responsibilities: Recruit stallions, update auction procedures.
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Awards:
Chair: Kristal Freese
Responsibilities: Determine awards.
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Golf Outing:
Co-chairs: Paul Fell and Lane Johnston
Responsibilities: Organize teams, door prizes hole sponsors, assist in set up and tear down.
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Promotion and Advertising:
Chair: Deb Moss
Responsibilities: Partner with Prairie Meadows and IAHBPA on racing promotions.
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ITBOA Scholarship:
Chair: Nikki Ferwerda
Responsibilities: Review applications and award the recipients.
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Supplements:
Chair: Paul Fell
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Program Assessment:
Chair: Tyler Ingle
BECOME A MEMBER.
Want a voice in who serves on the board? Interested in serving on board yourself?
Become a member of the ITBOA!
Get the monthly newsletter, vote for board members, gain access to the ITBOA scholarship, attend the yearly awards banquet and more.