(Edited release from The Jockey Club)
Alan Marzelli, the president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, will retire from that position at the end of the year, the organization announced Sept. 25.
Marzelli will be succeeded by James L. Gagliano, who has served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of The Jockey Club for the past four years.
"In various capacities and over many years, Alan has done a first-rate job for The Jockey Club with a wide range of initiatives, all of which have benefited this industry, and we’re immensely grateful for his many contributions," Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club, said in a statement released by The Jockey Club. "We also feel extremely fortunate to have, in Jim Gagliano, an experienced and talented individual to lead our management team and staff in the years ahead."
Marzelli joined The Jockey Club in November 1983 as controller and assistant treasurer after spending eight years with the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. He served as chief financial officer of The Jockey Club from 1986 until January 1, 2003, when he was appointed president and chief operating officer.
Throughout his tenure, Marzelli helped guide The Jockey Club through a period of growth that included the creation of several startup companies and a number of acquisitions. In addition to his duties at The Jockey Club, Marzelli was a driving force behind the formation of Equibase Company and served the partnership in several key capacities through the years. He was the treasurer when Equibase was formed in 1990 and was appointed president of Equibase in April 1996. He was named chairman approximately 18 months later. In that role, he negotiated the perpetual license agreement between Equibase and Daily Racing Form.
"Jim was hired in 2005 with the understanding that he would one day succeed me and he is ready to step into that role," Marzelli said. "While I look forward to having more time to devote to my family and personal interests, in the short term and in order to ensure a seamless transition, I will continue to serve as chairman of Equibase and represent The Jockey Club on the executive council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities."
Gagliano was named executive vice president and chief administrative officer of The Jockey Club in June 2005. In this role, he has overseen all administrative activities for The Jockey Club and its subsidiary companies and worked directly with each business unit to develop and implement company-specific business plans.
Prior to joining The Jockey Club, Gagliano served as executive vice president of Magna Entertainment Corp.’s Maryland racing operations, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Maryland Jockey Club. He also served as president, MEC OTB, and group vice president, MEC Northern Group.
Gagliano, a Providence College graduate, also served as executive vice president and general manager of Greenwood Racing Inc. and in various roles over 10 years with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.