Race Track Industry Program searches for new director

The University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program has developed countless leaders in the racing industry for nearly 50 years. Now it is looking for a new leader of its own. 

Wendy Davis, director of the program for nearly four years, is not returning in 2021, leaving a void in an influential program for stocking the racing industry with high-quality professionals. The school is looking to have her replacement in place before the end of the spring semester in May.

The Race Track Industry Program, which was started in 1973, has produced top trainers such as Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher and executives such as Martin Panza.

The job of filling this position with the right person lies with professor Patricia Stock, director of the university's Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences.

"I really am hoping to get someone with expertise in the field, someone with many years of experience," Stock told HRN. "The university has requirements in terms of having at least a master's degree, but we can hire someone with years of experience in the discipline who is leader with good networking abilities that can work with both an advisory board and the students."

There has been chatter in the industry that a change of director is a sign the program is on the way out. Stock assured that is far from the truth.

"There have been changes in personnel, but the program is still very much alive and actually wanting to grow," Stock said. "Our hope is to make it an international global program and continue to provide support to the industry."

Increased internship opportunities for students is one way the program continues to grow.

Mike Weiss, general manager of Rillito Racetrack in Tucson, Ariz., and an alumnus of the program, has opened the door for many students to gain hands-on experience and will have an expanded role in the program after accepting the advisory position of career coordinator and counselor. 

Weiss, a resident of South Florida, and many University of Arizona students have played a large role in refurbishing Rillito. 

"I went out there for a year or two to try to save the old racetrack," Weiss said. "When I got out there I asked Doug Reed, who was the head of the program at the time, what the students did at the track, and he said nothing."

From that moment on, Weiss ensured that students got involved from the second they stepped on campus with the creation of the Paribet Racing Industry Student Experience.

"I asked if I could hire people, Weiss said. "I went to do interviews, and when I walked in the room it was packed. I interview every student one on one and get a feeling for their personalities and what got them into racing to place them into positions. Every student that came in, didn't matter what, they got hired. My one year there has now turned into six years."

Weiss explained that his involvement with the students does not end when they graduate.

"Three of the students that are working at Gulfstream right now drove up an hour the other day to have dinner with me," he said. "The relationships are not something that end when they leave school."

Expanding the program may come as good news for an industry in need of fresh minds.

"The program has been training a lot of people that are now leaders in the race track industry and have built their career and wealth through it," Stock said. "This program is so good in terms of helping people network with the industry that it is a role model for other majors in the school."

One of the many graduates who has gone on to have a successful career is HRN's own email marketing manager, Candice Curtis.

"The Race Track Industry Program fills an important niche in racing," Curtis said. "It allows people who wouldn't normally have access to the industry outside of being a fan to learn about the business. It also offers important networking opportunities in a no-pressure, learning environment.

"The RTIP unlocked a whole world to me, and I am thankful every day for my time there. Whoever takes the reins as director has a big job, and I look forward to seeing how they steer the program into an uncertain future."

Interested applicants can learn more about the position and apply here.