Jim Gates, the vice president for administration for Churchill Downs who has served as acting general manager of the track since 2002, has been appointed general manager. Gates will assist president Steve Sexton in guiding the track's day-to-day operations. He had served as acting general manager since August 2002. "Jim Gates has performed very well during his nearly two years as Churchill Downs' acting general manager while taking on new duties and challenges related to our ongoing renovation and other concerns." said Sexton. "When combined with his background in finance, grasp of racing issues and devotion to the sport, the knowledge and experience Jim has gained during that time make him an ideal choice to occupy this important job at an exciting time in the history of Churchill Downs."
The native of Louisville joined Churchill Downs Inc., the track's parent firm, as director of financial planning in 1996. He was promoted to director of development in 1999 and vice president of development in 2000. Prior to joining Churchill Downs, Gates managed an internal audit group for Providian Corporation in Louisville and was a senior auditor at Price Waterhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gates is a certified public accountant.
