Alex Waldrop, former president of Churchill Downs, was appointed president
and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA)
during a special board meeting on Wednesday. In addition, Turfway Park President
Robert Elliston was appointed executive chairman of the NTRA.
“Alex brings to the table intellect, political savvy, hands on racing
experience and expertise from within and outside our industry,” said Craig
Fravel, who has served as NTRA chairman throughout 2006. “He is well equipped to
lead the NTRA during its next phase as the organization seeks to implement a
number of important strategic priorities on behalf of the industry.”
Waldrop, 50, currently is a partner at the Kentucky-based law firm of Wyatt,
Tarrant and Combs and chairs the firm’s equine, gaming and entertainment
practice group. Its clients include the NTRA and Churchill Downs Inc.
Waldrop will assume his new position on January 15. He replaces current NTRA
interim CEO Greg Avioli, who will continue as interim CEO of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.
Elliston has been president and CEO of Turfway Park since June 1999 and will
continue to hold those positions while serving as the NTRA’s first executive
chairman. He has served on the NTRA board since 2004.
“The appointment of an executive chairman is becoming more and more
commonplace as companies and organizations seek a clear delineation between
board and management responsibilities,” Fravel said. “Like Alex, Bob brings to
the NTRA a wealth of expertise from within and outside the industry. He will
serve as a direct conduit between management and the full board and be available
to support management whenever called upon to move the industry forward.”
Before joining Turfway Park, Elliston was vice president of commercial
lending for US Bank, North America, for seven years.