Woodbine CEO Lawson will step down this fall
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine Entertainment announced Tuesday that Jim Lawson will be stepping down from his role as chief executive officer this fall.
Lawson, who has been CEO since 2015, said he wants to spend more time with his family and believes it’s time to hand the reins to the next leader.
“Being CEO of Woodbine Entertainment has been a great honor and passion for me,” said Lawson. “On a personal level, I have truly enjoyed my time leading the organization and I am so grateful for the incredible people that I have had the honor of working with, but it’s now time to spend more time with my family.
“On a professional level, during my time with Woodbine we have become a multi-dimensional organization, having expanded our scope and reputation as a world leader in dual-breed horse racing, while working meticulously and respectfully to drive new revenues that will continue to support the Ontario horse racing industry for decades to come. I have every confidence that Woodbine Entertainment is on a path to a very strong and sustainable future.”
After assuming the role of CEO in 2015, Lawson was tasked with the challenge of stabilizing an industry in the midst of uncertainty, while also creating a viable path forward for horse racing, which included a strategic vision for property development of the nearly 700 acres of land at Woodbine Racetrack.
“Jim’s passion for the horse racing industry and admiration for the hardworking people has been a hallmark of his tenure as CEO,” said Hugh Mitchell, Woodbine Entertainment’s chairman of the board of directors. “Jim has made lasting contributions that will undoubtedly benefit the organization and industry for decades. As for Woodbine’s next leader, the board’s Succession Committee is working diligently and is confident that we will be successful in finding the next CEO who will continue to build on our positive momentum.”
Highlights during Lawson’s tenure as CEO included bringing Standardbred racing to Woodbine Mohawk Park on a year-round basis, and the installation of the synthetic Tapeta main track and an inner turf course at Woodbine.
In 2019, Lawson led the team that worked to secure an important funding agreement with the Ontario government, a deal which allots up to $105 million annually to horse racing industry stakeholders over a 19-year period.
It is expected that Lawson will be associated with Woodbine in a senior role that will be defined at a later date.
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