Bobby Burch, who paved the technology path for The Jockey Club and its affiliated companies for the past 29 years, will retire as president of The Jockey Club Technology Services at the end of 2013.
He will be succeeded by vice president of software development Harold Palmer, who has played an integral role with The Jockey Club enterprise for the past 30 years. Burch will serve as a consultant to The Jockey Club.
"It is difficult, if not impossible, to appreciate the size and scope of technological innovation—from the first personal computers in the early 1980s to the high-performance apps of today—that has evolved in the past three decades, and Bobby Burch richly deserves credit for leading those successful and wide-ranging efforts at The Jockey Club," president James Gagliano said in a statement. "Technical expertise has become a hallmark of The Jockey Club, and his vast experience and deep knowledge will be invaluable as he transitions into a consulting role for us.
"In a similar vein, Harold Palmer has a keen understanding of the Thoroughbred landscape and a wealth of experience with virtually every technological change at The Jockey Club over that same period of time, so he is perfectly suited to manage the strategic direction of TJCTS in the years ahead."
Burch joined The Jockey Club staff in 1985, was promoted to vice president of the information technology group in 1997, and named president of TJCTS in 2002.
Palmer joined The Jockey Club staff in 1983, was promoted to director of software development in 1997, and vice president of software development in 2002.