Woodbine Entertainment announced September 16 that its board of directors has appointed longtime horse racing industry executive Hugh Mitchell as chairman. Mitchell was appointed to the position today at Woodbine Entertainment’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.
As Chairman of the Board, Mitchell will provide leadership, guidance and governance as Woodbine Entertainment fulfills its mission to sustain and grow horse racing in Ontario. This includes further enhancements to Woodbine and Woodbine’s racing offerings at his Mohawk Park. Mitchell also played a key role in advancing Woodbine Entertainment’s community plan to develop the land around Woodbine Racecourse into a world-class entertainment destination, providing direct support to the horse racing industry and the horse racing industry as a whole. and create new revenue streams that support the 25,000 indirectly supported jobs. prefecture.
Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, said, “As we continue to emerge from the global pandemic, our Boards, organizations and the racing industry will greatly benefit from Hugh’s knowledge, relationships and experience. “There are significant opportunities to grow the sport of horse racing in Ontario over the next few years with exciting and innovative initiatives, and Hugh will leverage his business and horse racing experience to realize these opportunities and We look forward to maximizing it.”
A member of Woodbine Entertainment’s Board of Directors since 2018, Mitchell was most recently President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Fair District in London, Ontario, a position he held from 2009 to 2018. Standardbred Racing Commission from 2020.
Throughout his successful career, Mitchell has led the horse racing industry in various important roles, including Chairman of the Board of Harness Tracks of America (HTA) and Member and Chairman of the Ontario Racing Board.
Apply blood horse every day
In addition to his current role as a member of the Board of Trustees of Fanshawe College, where he was a former Vice-Chairman, Mr Mitchell is also a former Chairman of the London Tourism Board and a Trustee of both the London Chamber of Commerce and the London Chamber of Commerce. Canadian Association of Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. Early in his career, Mr. Mitchell served as his vice president of racing at Woodbine Entertainment from 1998 until his 2005.
“I have been very fortunate to work in the horse racing industry for many years,” Mitchell said. I am very much looking forward to working with the Board and Mr. Lawson to grow our sport and industry to the benefit of thousands of families who make a living from horse racing.”
Mitchell will serve as chairman of Woodbine Entertainment’s board of directors beginning in 2020, succeeding Christine McGee, who has served on the board since 2015. McGee was appointed as Chair at a crucial time as the organization and industry weathered the global pandemic and ensuing government restrictions and had a significant impact on the organization. , its employees, Ontario’s horse racing industry, tens of thousands of jobs supported throughout the state.
Lawson said, “Christine’s steady hand, leadership and stewardship have helped us manage and navigate the impact of the pandemic.” position and helped ensure that our organization and industry are well positioned for growth and transformation as they emerge from the first two years of the pandemic.
“On behalf of our organization and Board of Directors, I would like to thank Christine for her outstanding contributions to Woodbine Entertainment and the horse racing industry over the past seven years.”
“It has been a tremendous honor to join the Board of Directors as Chairman and previously as a Director,” said Magee. “Woodbine Entertainment is more than just an organization. It is the economic engine of the industry and an institution that heads the great responsibility of managing the beloved sport that it is a part of, and has underpinned Canadian culture and society for hundreds of years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Board members and leadership team for their support and extraordinary efforts. I also congratulate Hugh Mitchell on his appointment as Chairman and wish Woodbine Entertainment and the industry well. helped him step into this role.”
Longtime member Ben Hutzel is also stepping down from the Board effective today.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Ben for his countless contributions and contributions over the years to our organization and industry as a director, horse owner and breeder,” Lawson said.
An Ontario corporation with no equity capital, Woodbine Entertainment operates a multifaceted entertainment business with a focus on sustaining and growing Ontario’s horse racing industry.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If you have any questions, please contact the organization that created the release.
.