Eric Straus Email & Phone Number

Landrum, South Carolina, United States

Equine Sport Group (ESG) is an equestrian consulting firm with more than 300 years of expertise in national and international horse sports. ESG’s consultants include Olympians, current international officials, competition organizers, veterinary sports medicine practitioners, equestrian facility architects and legal counsel specializing in sports law. Our consulting associates are located throughout North America and Europe.• Eric L. Straus appointed as Technical Coordinator for the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018.• ESG is providing senior management services to the Pan American Equestrian Confederation (PAEC), an Fédération Equestre Internationale recognized continental group. • ESG provided pre-event and onsite management services for the 2016 North American Junior Young Rider Championship.• Secured the largest private stable in Beijing as a client. Arranged for client's Head Trainer to receive two months of training and competition experience during the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida under the supervision of George Morris, then the USA Show Jumping Chef d' Equipe. Concurrently, the Head Trainer improved his stable management skills by working with US Olympians.• Attended the Fourth Annual Equestrian Forum of Western China as a guest of the Chengdu Equestrian Association.• Provided strategic high performance analysis and programmatic plan to Reining Horse South Africa.• Provided governance and strategic planning assistance to the Foundation For The Florida Horse Park .In 2013 ESG formed a strategic partnership with Sai Ma Sports, leading to a multi-event Cooperation and Marketing Agreement with the Chinese Equestrian Association. ESG and Sai Ma provided competition management services to the Chinese Equestrian Association for the China Tour, a series of international show jumping competitions.

Mill Spring, North Carolina Usa

Responsible for the development, growth and management of a diverse portfolio of multi-discipline equestrian events at TIEC.

I serve as a member of the Executive Committee and serve on the Investment and Audit Committees.

An equestrian tradition since 1958, the WIHS welcomes riders of all ages, including Olympic champions from all over the world, to the nation’s capital for thrilling jumping competition and a chance to compete for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. More than 500 horses participate inshow jumping, hunters and equitation events during the six-day show. Special exhibitions, unique boutique shopping, and community and charity events round out this family-friendly show. Since its debut, the Washington International Horse Show has been a popular Washington, D.C. fixture visited by Presidents, First Ladies, celebrities, dignitaries, business and military leaders, countless horse enthusiasts of all ages as well as the local community.

THE CLARK ESTATES, INC., New York, NY 2000 – 2008A privately owned for-profit company managing a $1.6b in assets, providing financial, insurance and management support for Clark related entities in Cooperstown, New York including: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers' Museum, The Clark Foundation, Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, The Otesaga Hotel, The Cooper Inn, Leatherstocking Corporation, The Clark Sports Center and The Clark Scholarship Office. Reporting directly to the Chairman.• Member of three person senior management team responsible for all strategic and operational decisions.• Strengthened security processes and developed first disaster and recovery plan. Directed and managed evacuation on September 11, 2001.• Developed strategy and responsible for oversight of government relations in Washington, D. C. and Albany, New York securing $25 million in grants.

LEATHERSTOCKING CORPORATION, Cooperstown, NY A privately owned for-profit corporation with a staff of 329 and annual budget of $2,800,000 which owns The Otesaga Hotel, The Cooper Inn, Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown, New York. President Reporting directly to the Board and responsible for operations, budget development, financial performance and community relations.• Successfully grew gross revenues 1997 to 2007 from $1,700,000 to $2,800,000 increasing net revenue for the same period by 300%. • Executed a four year hotel and golf course renovation plan while maintaining seasonal and year around operations. • Led team to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy combining print, radio, e-commerce and agency efforts, resulting extensive media coverage at minimal cost.• Responsible for purchasing key retail leasehold in Cooperstown out of Federal Bankruptcy Court, identified target tenants, leased space and recently renewed lease for 15 years.

FENIMORE ART MUSEUM AND THE FARMERS' MUSEUM, Cooperstown, NY Interim CEOAsked by the Presidents of these sister institutions to lead a turnaround of the museums and to report to both Boards while a national search was conducted for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. • Successfully sourced $100,000 new exhibition sponsorship and set new attendance records.• Improved retail operations by recruiting new manager, increased retail sales by 15% and reduced excess inventory.• Realigned 10% of the staff to increase responsibility and accountability. Also, reduced staff turnover and improved morale.• Ensured timely and accurate financial reporting and met year end financial targets through aggressive expense control.

THE AMERICAN HORSE SHOWS ASSOCIATION, New York, NY(Now known as The United States Equestrian Federation in Lexington, KY)The National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport in the United States.Reporting directly to the President was responsible for all operations and financial results at the headquarters in New York City, the equine drug testing laboratory in Ithaca, New York and the Drugs & Medications office in Columbus, Ohio . • Improved the delivery of membership services to 75,000 members.• Improved cash flow by initiating credit card processing system and reduced receivables by 75%.• Conceived and created a three nation (United States, Canada, Mexico) financial support agreement for North American Young Riders Championship, which reduced organizing committee costs and helped to keep event viable. • Strengthened cooperation as member of “The Inner Circle” with counterparts at key European national federations: Germany, Ireland, Sweden and The Netherlands.

THE DALLAS INTERNATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION, Dallas, TX 1993 – 1994Chaired by Tom Landry, Jr., a Not-for-Profit whose mission was to identify, solicit, attract and support Olympic and Professional sports events to North Texas. Director of Programs & OperationsReporting directly to the President, responsible for a three person team charged with developing, oversight and execution of all programmatic activities. • Led a three person team that developed the response proposal for Dallas to be designated as one of three satellite soccer venues for the 1996 Olympic Games.• Team leader for developing the Modern Pentathlon bid including venue, logistics planning and competition plan for Dallas’ bid for the 1998 Goodwill Games.• Provided pre competition assistance and support for the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 1994 World Cup.• Assisted in maintaining relationships with the offices of the Mayor, City Manager, Chief of Police and Members of the Dallas City Council.

WALTER STRAUS & SON, INC., McKinney, TX 1976 – 1993 A family owned national and international meat, meat products and futures trading company. Vice President Provided clients with short and long term market strategies using proprietary trading systems, seasonal trend analysis, hedging and inventory positioning. Imported products from Europe, Canada, Central America, Australia, New Zealand and exported to Mexico.• Enhanced revenue from existing clients through valued added economic analysis.• Co-developed inventory purchasing program.• Co-developed, co-wrote prospectus and co-managed commodity trading partnership.• Expanded direct sales into Mexico by identifying and retaining a local agent as well as direct customer sales.• Successfully testified as an expert witness for the defense in pork belly hedging lawsuit.

THREE DAY FARM, Inc., McKinney, TX 1976 – 1993Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Walter Straus & Son, Inc.A family owned training and competition facility that successfully bought, sold, boarded and trained horses for competition.The premier multi-discipline site for equestrian competition with permanent stabling for 200 horses, 14 stall main barn, which hosted four major competitions annually drawing entries from seven state area.• Co-managed events, facility management, event marketing and sponsorship development.• Developed Winter competition series. • Actively competed in Hunter, Jumper and Combined Training.

HESS-STEPHENSON COMPANY, Chicago, IL 1972 – 1976A national meat, meat products and futures brokerage firm. Meat Broker Responsible for cash market transactions, developing potential futures hedging strategies and increasing the client base.