Weekly Edition | March 20th | By: NP-staff

Phoenix, Ariz. – Governor Jan Brewer today named William J. Walsh the new Director of the Arizona Department of Racing. He had been serving as the Department’s interim Director since the departure of former Director Lonny Powell, who resigned the post effective Dec. 31, 2011.

“Bill Walsh brings to the Department a wealth of expertise in the Arizona racing industry,” said Governor Brewer. “Bill’s stint as Interim Director, coupled with nearly fifty years of professional experience and a breadth of professional accreditation, will be a wonderful asset to the Department and the racing community in Arizona.”

 The Department of Racing regulates the Arizona pari-mutuel horse and greyhound racing industry; supervises all commercial horse, greyhound and county fair racing meetings; licenses participants and collects revenues; and enforces laws and rules related to racing and wagering in the State of Arizona. The Department also regulates and supervises boxing, kickboxing, tough man and mixed martial arts events in Arizona.

 Prior to being named Director, Mr. Walsh served the Department as Chief Horse Steward/Supervisor of Officials and Wagering (1993-2011). In this capacity, he was responsible for employee management and oversight; monitoring of off-track wagering facilities; investigating complaints and/or breaches of rules; and coordinating the development of new rules and amendments affecting the Department. Additionally, Mr. Walsh represented the Department and its issues at the State Legislature from 2001 to 2003.

 Earlier, Mr. Walsh was Executive Director of the Alabama Horsemen’s Racing Association (1987-1992); represented thoroughbred horsemen at the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association – Washington Division (1984-1987); served as Racing Administrator at the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association – National Office (1980-1984); and was a Patrol and Placing Judge at Arlington Park – Arlington Heights, Illinois (1979).

Mr. Walsh completed the Senior Steward Racing Officials Accreditation Program in Lexington, Kentucky, and holds racing licenses in Alabama, Illinois, New York and Washington. He earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from SUNY Buffalo, and completed the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona (1979).