Ellerman Resigns As PRCA Commissioner

Ellerman Resigns As PRCA Commissioner.

by Sheila Totten

 Troy Ellerman's short lived but controversial career as the Commissioner of the PRCA came to an abrupt close on February 19th when Ellerman resigned from the position.  It was not the complaints fired against him  ; nor was it the pending lawsuits against the PRCA but Ellerman's own legal problems stemming from  the time when in January,  2005 Northern California  native Attorney Troy Ellerman represented BALCO vice president James Valente in the major headline making steroids case .

It was also in January of 2005 when he accepted the PRCA position.  It turns out  that Ellerman was more than a "suit"  as the northern Californian grew up as part of the trick riding team called "The Flying Cossacks". He went on  to ride bulls but never made it to the upper ranks.He then had a short career as a movie stunt double including doubling for Paul Hogan. Ellerman went on to earn his law degree and went from private practice with a private law firm to the Sacramento D.A.'s office to his own practice in 1995.During this time he remained  part of rodeo as he was appointed to the PRCA's Board of Directors in 1999.

Ellerman's short stint was not all bad as he inherited a 3.6 million dollar debt upon taking office. he made some drastic moves and managed to get the PRCA back upon its financial feet. Still some since ousted board members have charged that  they were ousted for demanding to see the financial records.Ellerman was also criticized for his methods which included  selling the rights to the PRCA's Xtreme Bull Tour.He also sold the rights to yet another rodeo tour to cut the debt.

It was said by former board members that Ellerman would throw a fit  at meetings when questioned about his methods and/or finances.he would swear like a drunken sailor to halt any more questions. In my opinion that's a man who is hiding something.

And still it was not all of this that caused  Ellerman to resign.It was his indictment and ensuing plea bargain resulting from his leak of information from the Grand Jury to reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle.As of February 7th  Ellerman lost his right to practice law in California.He entered his plea bargain in Federal Court on February 16th and now faces several years in jail plus a large fine.He will also face disbarment befor eits all said and done..

I received an e-mail with the following press release today.:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – On February 19, Troy Ellerman resigned as PRCA commissioner. In a letter of resignation addressed to the PRCA Board of Directors, Ellerman stated, “Due to the fact that I have entered a plea of guilty in the BALCO case, I believe it is in the best interest of the PRCA to resign from my position as commissioner. My resignation will be effective immediately. It has been an honor to serve the PRCA. The PRCA is well served by a strong Board of Directors, and I am confident it will continue to move forward under its direction.”

The PRCA Board accepted Ellerman’s resignation with deep appreciation for his efforts in returning the PRCA to financial health.

“We appreciate Troy’s hard work and dedication to the PRCA during his tenure as PRCA commissioner,” stated PRCA Chairman of the Board Keith Martin. “Thanks in part to his leadership, the PRCA achieved a multi-million-dollar financial turnaround, and is now strong, stable and in position for solid growth.”

In the upcoming days and weeks, the PRCA Board of Directors will work diligently on plans to keep the association moving in a positive direction. Chairman of the Board Martin will serve temporarily as the interim chief executive officer of the PRCA.

Tags: Rodeo