Jessica Paquette in the booth as a race caller at Parx, Nikki Sherman Photo
TPA news item
February 23, 2026 – 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 of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, who will remain on the board as 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 vice president.
Paquette, Thompson and Beem join returning vice presidents Brock Sheridan and Ryan Martin, and secretary-treasurer Dave Zenner. Sheridan is senior communications director for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association; Martin is a content manager for PM Advertising; and Zenner is director of racing and simulcast operations at Colonial Downs.
“I am honored to serve and lead the Turf Publicists of America alongside a great board,” said Paquette. “Now more than ever, it is important to support efforts to promote the great sport of Thoroughbred racing.”
The new slate of officers was installed immediately.
Founded in 1951, the TPA consists 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 hosts 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 have improved the sport of thoroughbred racing through their collaboration with the media and racetrack personnel.
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