from the Virginia Racing Commission

New Kent, VA — Victor Harrison has been selected to replace Stan Bowker as executive secretary of the Virginia Racing Commission.

Commission Chairman Peter Burnett announced today that Harrison will join the Commission staff on May 30 and work with Bowker during a three-month transition period until his retirement on September 2. Harrison will be introduced at the Commission’s meeting on Wednesday, May 21.

“Vic has 19 years of experience in the pari-mutuel racing industry, and the Virginia Racing Commission is looking forward to working with him as we enter what we believe will be a new period of growth for racing in Virginia,” Burnett said. “His industry experience, along with his management and leadership abilities, will be important in developing and implementing the long-term goals and strategic plans the Commission will be working on throughout this year.”

During his career, Harrison has worked on both the track management and regulatory sides of racing. For nine years, he worked for the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering in Florida, overseeing the state’s pari-mutuel auditors and the operations of the totalizator companies that provide pari-mutuel services to the racetracks. He then spent 10 years in the vendor segment of the industry as the director of North American sales at United Tote before moving to track management at Vernon Downs in 2007.

“I am really looking forward to joining the highly-regarded Virginia Racing Commission staff,” Harrison said. “There are many issues facing the horse racing industry right now at both the national and state levels. I believe I can assist the Commission in making the right decisions to improve and grow racing in Virginia.”