Del Mar names two to executive vice president positions

Craig Dado and Josh Rubinstein have been promoted to executive vice presidents of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the organization announced Wednesday.

When Craig Fravel left his post as Del Mar’s president and general manager to become chief executive officer of the Breeders’ Cup in July 2011, his position was not filled, and his duties were absorbed by four people: Mike Ernst, Tom Robbins, Dado, and Rubinstein.

Ernst and Robbins had executive vice president titles when Fravel left, but Dado and Rubinstein have been listed as senior vice presidents since then. Wednesday’s announcement puts all four at the same level in the hierarchy.

Dado, 47, also adds the title of chief marketing officer. He has been with Del Mar since 2001. He previously had the title of senior vice president of marketing.

Rubinstein, 43, adds the title of chief operating officer. He began working part time at the track in 1987 and came aboard full time in 1995. He previously had the title of senior vice president, development.

“Our leadership group has worked in balance since we put our current executive arrangement in place in July 2011,” Joe Harper, Del Mar’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “I lean heavily and equally on them for their expertise and special competence in their individual fields. They are an outstanding foursome, and Del Mar is lucky to have men of their ability to take us forward. These title changes simply reflect the true nature of their shared leadership roles.”

Ernst, 57, is executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer. He started at Del Mar in 1991.

Robbins, 59, is the track’s executive vice president of racing and industry relations as well as its racing secretary. His first season at Del Mar was in 1968 as a racing office assistant while still in high school.