Interim CEO named for NTRA, Breeders' Cup

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Garden City, NY (Sports Network) - The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and Breeders' Cup Limited has appointed Gregory C. Avioli as interim chief executive officer. The appointment was announced Thursday at a joint meeting of the two boards.

Avioli replaces D.G. Van Clief, Jr., who is the current NTRA commissioner and CEO and Breeders' Cup president. Van Clief announced in April his intention to leave his NTRA and Breeders' Cup positions. He will become chairman emeritus of the two boards.

"The actions taken today by both boards are the result of extensive hours of work by the boards' transition committee and staff," said Van Clief. "They pave the way for the two organizations to focus on their short-term and long- term strategic priorities."

The 41-year-old Avioli is currently chief operating officer and interim chief financial officer of the two groups. He will assume his new positions on July 1.

"This is an exciting time for both organizations," said Avioli. "We have just completed an intensive six-month process of educating the new Breeders' Cup board on the broad array of NTRA programs and existing business relationships. There is a lot of work that remains to be done, but I think we are well positioned for the future."

Avioli has been with the NTRA since its creation in 1998. He began as deputy to former commissioner Tim Smith. Recently he concentrated on legislative issues in Washington, D.C.