Patrick Thompson has been named executive director of the National Racing Compact after serving as longtime license administrator.
Thompson has been with the Compact since its return to Kentucky in 2005 and has vast experience dealing with owners, trainers and jockeys seeking a multistate license to participate in pari-mutuel racing throughout North America.
"I am extremely grateful to the board of directors for the opportunity to lead this organization and build on the growth that we have experienced over the past years," said Thompson, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky. "My main goals in this new position are to continue to increase the awareness of the National Licensing Program and find new ways to make licensing easier for licensees as well as the state racing commissions."
In addition, the National Racing Compact members elected officers to the board of directors at the 2014 annual meeting. Rick Goodell, general counsel for the New York State Gaming Commission, was re-elected chairman. Frank Zanzuccki, executive director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, was elected vice chairman, and Tom Sage, executive director of the Nebraska State Racing Commission, was elected treasurer.
The National Racing Compact is a national licensing program that was formed in 2000 and is accepted in 25 jurisdictions which include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. For additional information about the National Racing Compact and the benefits to both regulatory jurisdictions and licensed participants, click here.
