Robert Lopez, the Chairman of the Washington State Horse Racing Commission, was elected the new Chair of the Association of Racing Commissioners International at Monday's online annual Board of Directors election. Lopez replaces Tom Sage of Nebraska whose term expired.
A graduate of the FBI's National Academy, Lopez is a longtime law enforcement professional who was a member of the Washington State Patrol before retiring as Assistant Chief in 2001. In 2002, Lopez joined the staff of the racing commission and later became its executive secretary. In 2015, he was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a member of the commission and subsequently elevated to Chairman. Lopez also served on the ARCI's Board of Directors and the Model Rules Committee.
At Monday's meeting, the ARCI added 10 Directors to those designated by the top five horse racing jurisdictions as measured by live race days consistent with the organization's ByLaws. The five automatic Board Members are: Brent Stone, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; Rob Williams, New York Gaming Commission; Chairman Scott Borgemenke, Ohio State Racing Commission; Anthony Salerno, Pennsylvania Racing Commission; Louis Trombetta, Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.
Newly-elected ARCI Board:
- Michael Hopkins – Executive Director, Maryland Racing Commission
- Commissioner Connie McNabb, DVM – Texas Racing Commission
- Judith Nason, Esq. – Executive Director, New Jersey Racing Commission
- Marc Guilfoil – Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
- Charles Moore – Executive Director, Wyoming Gaming Commission
- David Lermond – Executive Director, Virginia Racing Commission
- Commissioner Duncan Patterson – Chair, Delaware Thoroughbred Commission
- Charles Gardiner – Executive Director, Louisiana Racing Commission
- Kelly Cathey – Executive Director, Oklahoma Racing Commission
- Doug Moore – Executive Director, Washington State Racing Commission
At its next Board meeting, the ARCI will elect two additional Board Members to serve as Secretary/Chair-elect and Treasurer and Chairman Lopez will also appoint two additional members.
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