NRHA Begins Search for New Commissioner

Following the announcement of NRHA Commissioner Gary Carpenter’s impending retirement at the end of the year, the search for his replacement is officially underway. 

A subcommittee tasked with interviewing different executive search firms recently hired Jim Harlan, President & CEO of MJM Global Search, Inc.

“We wanted to ensure we did our due diligence since this will be one of the hardest positions NRHA has ever had to fill, and we are confident in Jim’s ability to find the best candidate for the association,” said NRHA President Mark Blake, who led the subcommittee.

“Jim was who we utilized when we hired Gary, and his expertise and experience within the equine industry is unparalleled. We also used his services last year to fill two positions, and they have been outstanding hires,” Blake added.

Harlan, an avid horseman in his own right, is responsible for the strategic leadership necessary to ensure the achievement of MJM Global Search’s performance goals and preservation of the core values established more than 25 years ago.

MJM Global Search, Inc. and its executive search specialists have decades of hands-on experience as senior managers, ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to small, fast-growing start-up companies. The firm has completed placements with more than 12 equine industry associations.

“Our goal is to have a hire made by this Summer to allow for the new individual to begin working alongside Gary for the remainder of the year,” Blake continued. “This will allow for a smooth transition of power and to allow them to hit the ground running in 2024”

The NRHA Commissioner’s primary role is to serve as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for leading the NRHA Office while reporting to and working with the NRHA Executive Committee and Board of Directors to ensure the association’s needs, goals, and objectives are met.

A detailed position description can be found here.

Qualified candidates who are interested in the position will need to contact Jim Harlan directly at:


MJM Global Search, Inc.
P.O. Box 883
Franktown, CO 80116
(303) 660-0766
jim@mjmglobalsearch.com