Jessica Paquette, track announcer and director of public relations for Parx, has been named president of the Turf Publicists of America (TPA) for 2026 and 2027 it was announced by outgoing President Najja Thompson, executive director for the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, who will remain on the board as a vice president.
At the same time, it was announced that Jason Beem, track announcer at Tampa Bay Downs and Colonial Downs, will serve a two-year term as a vice president.
Paquette, Thompson, and Beem join returning vice presidents Brock Sheridan and Ryan Martin, and secretary-treasurer Dave Zenner. Sheridan is senior director of communications for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association; Martin is content manager for PM Advertising; and Zenner is director of racing and simulcast operations at Colonial Downs.
"I am honored that I get to step up and lead the Turf Publicists of America alongside a great board," Paquette said. "Now more than ever it is important to support endeavors to promote the great sport of Thoroughbred racing."
Paquette also works for Conover Tuttle Pace where she handles public and media relations for several industry clients.
The new slate of officers was installed immediately.
The TPA, founded in 1951, is comprised of approximately 100 Thoroughbred racing publicists and marketing executives at racetracks throughout North America with the shared goal of promoting the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Each year at the Global Symposium on Racing, the TPA organizes the Mark Kaufman Workshop on a topic relevant to publicists and marketers and awards the Big Sport of Turfdom to recognize an individual or individuals who enhanced the sport of Thoroughbred racing through their cooperation with the media and racetrack personnel.
