New Jersey Department of Agriculture Secretary
Charles M. Kuperus today announced the appointment
of Gregory Boehmer as executive director of the N.J.
Sire Stakes racing program.
Boehmer, of Fort Washington, Md., brings more than
15 years of experience in the harness racing industry.
He most recently served as director of corporate
communications for Rosecroft Raceway, in Fort Washington,
Md., where he managed public relations campaigns
for the harness racing track and served as the liaison
between track management and the public.
"Mr. Boehmer's experience in the racing industry
makes him a valuable asset to the Department as we
work to increase participation in the Sire Stakes
program and attract new fans to the sport of horse
racing," Secretary Kuperus said.
The Sire Stakes program is a state-run racing program
that encourages the breeding of standardbred horses
by offering generous purses for winning standardbreds
sired by registered New Jersey stallions. The program
provides stallion owners an incentive to locate their
horse farms in New Jersey, and as a result is instrumental
in maintaining open space throughout the state.
Standardbreds are the largest segment of New Jersey's
racehorse population and have a total estimated value
of $273 million. The standardbred sector is an important
contributor to the state's overall equine operations,
which generate $284 million in annual revenues from
sales, boarding, breeding, training, racing, riding
lessons and other activities.
Boehmer's duties will include supervising the arrangement
of races, directing the development of promotional
and marketing programs, managing the N.J. Sire Stakes
unit within the state Department of Agriculture and
serving as secretary to the N.J. Sire Stakes Board
of Trustees.
"I look forward to working with the New Jersey
Department of Agriculture and am excited about contributing
to the success of the renowned Sire Stakes racing program," said
Boehmer, who officially joined the Department today. |