OFFICERS

 

PRESIDENT

John Craven – Vice President – Intrepid International
116 King Court, New Holland, PA 17557
717-354-4822  |  Email

 

John Craven completed his undergraduate degree in International Business from the University of Salamanca in Spain. After finishing his graduate degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Craven managed Southland’s Farm in Rhinebeck, NY where he was the head trainer, instructor and farm manager. In 1990-1991, Craven was the sales manager for Ulster International. From 1991-2002, he worked for Miller’s Harness Company doing International Sales. Later Craven and his partner Kim Roberts created and ran Haddington Green Gift and Stationary Company. In 2004, he sold Haddington Green to Intrepid International. Craven has worked for Intrepid International ever since as the Vice President.

 

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PRESIDENT ELECT
Ron Cimini – President – Tory Leather Co.
1318 Commerce Park Drive, Williamsport, PA 17701
570-321-5423   |  Email

 

Ron Cimini began his equestrian career in 1969 as a Sales Rep for Tex Tan Western. Two years later, he was promoted to Sales Manager for Tex Tan. In 1976, Cimini purchased Dr. Davies Products Co., which manufactured Barring Saddlery horse products and rat poison. In the fall of that year, he started Tory Belt & Leather Co. making Western belts. At the same time that he started Tory, he went to work for Roy Martin at Buford Saddlery developing a line of straps for Billy Cook. Today, Cimini spends his time running Tory Leather Co.

 

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VICE PRESIDENT

Lilo Navales – President and Designer – Leather Goods of Spain/LILO Collections
804-744-0900   |  Email
 
Prior to founding Leather Goods of Spain, Lilo Navales worked for 13 years at a prominent New England financial institution in community affairs and also worked for their foundation as a grant maker. Lilo is fluent in Spanish and looks forward to putting her skills towards developing a stronger Hispanic equestrian presence. She has been riding English for pleasure since she was five. Lilo owns and rides her Thoroughbred and is an avid skier and triathlete, training towards her first Ironman.

 

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TREASURER

Carla Perri – President – Perri’s Leather & Metal Crafters, Inc.
610-255-4199 x 108  |  Email

Carla Perri graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Carla has been in the tack business since she graduated college in 1986 – first working for a tack store for 13 years before starting Perri’s Leather. Perri’s Leather will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary in March 2010. Carla has been active with horses ever since she received her first pony at 8-years-old. As a child, she was an active member of 4-H and later competed in the Quarter Horse Circuit as an adult. Carla believes that it is very important to give back to an industry that has given her so much. At Perri’s, they focus on helping others in the industry by sponsoring the IHSA, IDA, USPC and the PA State 4-H Horse Show along with many other dealer-related events. When Carla is not working, she and her husband spend time caring for all the animals on their farm, which includes one horse, one miniature horse, two miniature donkeys, three miniature cows, five dogs and a cat.

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PAST PRESIDENT
Tony Coppola – President – The Tackeria, Inc.
13501 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-2012  |  Email 

 

Tony Coppola has been actively involved in the equine industry for more than 35 years. His industry experience includes wholesale and manufacturing, and importing of leather goods and polo equipment. Coppola has ridden horses for 50 years and played polo for more than 40 years. He is on the Board of the Polo Hall of Fame and Museum, the Board of the U.S. Polo Association and the Polo Training Foundation. His son also competes in shows and polo.

 

 

 
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DIRECTORS

Hope Birsh - Maryland Saddlery

Butler, MD

Retail member

Email

Hope grew up in NYC and began riding in Westchester, NY when she was five years old. After college she trained with a USEF team member and spent time traveling the East Coast in the early eighties eventing. Hope spent three years teaching riding at the McDonog School in Maryland. She had an enormous customer base after teaching hundreds of kids to ride through the school’s program. Hope opened Maryland Saddlery to be able to offer parents guidance on how show clothes should fit. She is driven to influence wholesalers to produce garments and pony equipment for retailers. From the beginning and up to today she remains involved in the specifications of the production of many of these products.

 

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Frances Bowers – Owner – Saddlers Row
Palatine, IL

847-776-6700  |  Email

Frances Bower’s first retail store was Barrington Saddlery, in Barrington, IL. In 1976 she opened the doors of Saddlers Row in Palatine, IL, and in 2009 she added a second store, Saddlers Row North in Bristol, WI to her retail operations. The mother of a daughter and three grandchildren (the lights of her life), Frances spends as much of what little spare time she has with her family.

 

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Annemarie Cochrane Sales Rep

Elverson PA

484/432-5338  |  Email

Cochrane is an independent manufacturer sales representative with more than six years experience in the field. Prior to forming her own business and website, she worked for Nunn Finer Products.  She has been an avid equestrian since the age of seven. Her passion for retail and riding has culminated in the launch of her website, TackCulture.com, where she promotes the stores and lines she represents and shares her own experiences as a rider.  Annemarie received her undergraduate degree from Skidmore College and her Master’s degree from Immaculata College.  She lives in Chester County, PA, with her husband Bill, her horse Cigar, and their dog Molly. 

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Ed James - President SSG Riding Gloves

North Boston, NY 

905/727-9203  |  Email 

 

Ed James has been involved in the horse industry for the better part of the last fifty-five years.  He has owned and raced trotting race horses since 1955.  Twenty-five years ago Ed founded SSG Riding Gloves, an international supplier of the best known world-wide brand of riding gloves.  Ed brings to the position of member of the Board of Directors skills he has learned over the years from running his own business as well as his experience from association management and trade show organization.