John Roark, president of the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA and Chairman of the Texas Horsemen's Partnership, LLP, is one of the nominees up for election as president of the National HBPA at that organization's summer convention which will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, from August 12 - 14. The THP is an affiliate member organization of the National HBPA, a national horsemen's organization consisting of over 30 affiliate member organizations and representing over 30,000 horsemen throughout North America.

Roark, who was born in Bug Tussle, Texas, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwestern University and his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law. He and his wife, Kaki, are currently residents of Temple, Texas, where Roark maintains a private law practice.

John is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Bell-Lampasas-Mills Counties Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association (board member 1979-1990), American Trial Lawyers Association (sustaining member 1990 to current). He became Board Certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1985 and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in civil trial law in 1990. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has been named to Who's Who in American Law. He is also a member of the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. In November of 1998, John was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates.

John became involved in horse racing in 1985 when he and Dr. E. R. Burkhalter built a barn and a training center adjacent to Louisiana Downs (Finish Line Stable) and began purchasing and raising thoroughbred race horses. In that partnership, they campaigned the multiple stakes winner, Ile de Jinsky in Louisiana, Arkansas and Kentucky and raced other horses in those states as well as Oklahoma and Illinois. John and his wife, Kaki, have also raced horses in several other jurisdictions including Iowa and Ohio.

While maintaining Finish Line Stable, John became involved in the alcohol and drug abuse program at Louisiana Downs. He co-chaired that program along with Revella Norman for horsemen in northern Louisiana. John represented the north Louisiana horsemen during the time racing was boycotted in Louisiana to change the simulcast take-out. That effort by Louisiana horsemen resulted in the statutory take-out changing to a split more favorable to horsemen.

John began racing horses in Texas in 1994. At the same time he became involved with other Texas horsemen in forming the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA. John has served on the Board of the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA since its formation. Currently, John is serving his second term as president of the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA and his first term as vice president of the National HBPA. Under John's leadership, the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA has been involved in negotiations with the Texas tracks and other industry organizations that have resulted in comprehensive contracts and purse agreements that have raised the benefits for owners and trainers.

He was also instrumental in the movement to consolidate all Texas purse accounts at one financial institution and centralize the horsemen's accounts at the tracks thus increasing the convenience and profits to all horsemen.

The National HBPA's summer convention in Boston is open to all HBPA members, so come on out and support John as he seeks election as president of the National HBPA. Convention registration costs $300.00 per person.

The National HBPA summer convention's host hotel is the Fairmont Copley Plaza, a historic hotel located in the heart of Boston's black bay (4 miles from Logan International Airport at 138 St. James Avenue). The reserved nightly room rates are $219.00 for a single or double and $359.00 for a one-bedroom suite. You must make your reservations by July 15 and mention the National HBPA Convention when you make your reservations to secure these room rates. For reservations, call the Fairmont Copley Plaza at (800) 441-1414.

Among the activities planned for the National HBPA summer convention is a day at the races at historic Rockingham Park.

To obtain registration forms or for any questions, call the National HBPA office toll free at (866) 245-1711.