from Pinnacle Race Course
Racing executive Lonny Powell, chairman and principal of LTPowell Gaming & Racing Ventures & Advisors, has joined the Pinnacle Race Course team as senior adviser to owner Jerry Campbell, the racetrack said July 1.
Powell has been involved in the management side of racing for more than 26 years, and has extensive management expertise in track operations, gaming, facility design, regulatory and governmental affairs, compliance and best practices, and promotion and public relations.
Opening day of the inaugural season of racing at Pinnacle Race Course, Michigan’s only Thoroughbred racetrack, is scheduled for July 18. Pinnacle Race Course is being developed by Campbell, a successful banker and longtime Thoroughbred-horse owner, and his wife, Felicia “Lisa” Campbell, a licensed trainer and owner of Thoroughbred horses.
Most recently, Powell served for three years as vice president of public affairs for Youbet.com, where he was the lead senior executive of industry relations and regulatory affairs. From 2001-05, he was president and chief executive officer of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Prior to that, he was executive vice president of operations for Magna Entertainment Corp.
“I have long been an admirer of Jerry and Lisa Campbell, and have been proud to call them friends for a number of years,” Powell said. “Jerry and I really forged our relationship a number of years ago while traveling the world together as the respective CEO and (chief operating officer) of MEC during its launch phase. When Jerry called seeking my help in his Pinnacle Race Course venture and to securing for the future a more viable and opportunistic horseracing industry for the greater Detroit area, I was flattered by the invite and happy to join this fairly unique undertaking.”
Powell has temporarily relocated his consulting operation from Lexington to the Detroit metropolitan area in order to provide Pinnacle with as much face time and on-site leadership as possible.
