We know that Turfway Park is just one of your many entertainment options, and we sincerely appreciate that you choose to spend your time with us. Our executive and management team is at your service. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
Robert N. Elliston, President & CEO
Robert N. Elliston has been president and CEO of Turfway Park since June 1999, shortly after the track was purchased by Keeneland Association, Harrah's Entertainment, and GTECH Corporation.
Before coming to Turfway Park, Elliston was vice president of commercial lending for US Bank, N.A., for seven years. He continues a relationship with that institution, serving on its Northern Kentucky Advisory Board of Directors. Additionally, Elliston worked for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in Frankfort from 1986 to 1992, serving as vice president of economic and community development and representing the Chamber before the Kentucky General Assembly and the United States Congress.
An avid horse racing enthusiast his entire adult life, Elliston currently serves as executive chair of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and is treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Board. He also serves on the Thoroughbred Racing Association Board and the University of Louisville Equine Program Advisory Board. In 2002, Elliston was named Man of the Year by the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, and in 2003 he received the Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Presidential Award for distinguished service to the horse industry.
Long active in the Northern Kentucky community as well, Elliston has chaired the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as well as the board of Sanitation District No. 1. He also is a member of the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Kentucky University Foundation Board, Gateway Community College Foundation Board, and the Tri-County Economic Development Board of Directors.
Elliston, his wife Sharon, a Northern Kentucky attorney, and their two daughters, Abby and Haley, live in Florence, Kentucky.
Before coming to Turfway Park, Elliston was vice president of commercial lending for US Bank, N.A., for seven years. He continues a relationship with that institution, serving on its Northern Kentucky Advisory Board of Directors. Additionally, Elliston worked for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in Frankfort from 1986 to 1992, serving as vice president of economic and community development and representing the Chamber before the Kentucky General Assembly and the United States Congress.
An avid horse racing enthusiast his entire adult life, Elliston currently serves as executive chair of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and is treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Board. He also serves on the Thoroughbred Racing Association Board and the University of Louisville Equine Program Advisory Board. In 2002, Elliston was named Man of the Year by the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, and in 2003 he received the Kentucky Harness Horsemen's Presidential Award for distinguished service to the horse industry.
Long active in the Northern Kentucky community as well, Elliston has chaired the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as well as the board of Sanitation District No. 1. He also is a member of the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Kentucky University Foundation Board, Gateway Community College Foundation Board, and the Tri-County Economic Development Board of Directors.
Elliston, his wife Sharon, a Northern Kentucky attorney, and their two daughters, Abby and Haley, live in Florence, Kentucky.
Clifford Reed, Vice President & CFO
Clifford Reed joined Turfway Park as treasurer in 1993 and in 1999 was promoted to vice president and chief financial officer. He is responsible for finance, accounting and financial planning for the racecourse.
Immediately before joining Turfway’s management team, Reed was treasurer of the Zonic Corporation of Milford, Ohio. He also held various positions within Cincinnati-based Chiquita Brands and the international accounting firm of Price Waterhouse.
A native of Grant County, Kentucky, Reed is a 1972 graduate of the University of Kentucky and remains a zealous fan of its sports teams. He lives in Ft. Wright, Kentucky.
Immediately before joining Turfway’s management team, Reed was treasurer of the Zonic Corporation of Milford, Ohio. He also held various positions within Cincinnati-based Chiquita Brands and the international accounting firm of Price Waterhouse.
A native of Grant County, Kentucky, Reed is a 1972 graduate of the University of Kentucky and remains a zealous fan of its sports teams. He lives in Ft. Wright, Kentucky.
Daniel "Chip" Bach, Director of Operations
Named director of operations in 2006, Daniel "Chip" Bach joined Turfway Park in 1999 to inaugurate the position of director of human resources and safety. One of his early contributions in that role was the development of Turfway Park’s customer service program, the Turfway Service Challenge.
A 1986 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Bach first worked as a consultant for Digital Equipment Company in New Hampshire and rose quickly through the ranks to become an area manager for corporate security. He moved to ENTEX Information Systems in Mason, Ohio, in 1994 as director of corporate security. In 1996 he was invited to help develop and manage the company’s training division, and in 1998 his ENTEX team was recognized by Ohio Governor George Voinovich with the Ohio Workplace Excellence Award as one of the best training groups in the state.
Bach grew up in Woodford County, Kentucky. He and his wife, Kendra, live in Anderson Township, Ohio, with their twins, Nicholas and Emma.
A 1986 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Bach first worked as a consultant for Digital Equipment Company in New Hampshire and rose quickly through the ranks to become an area manager for corporate security. He moved to ENTEX Information Systems in Mason, Ohio, in 1994 as director of corporate security. In 1996 he was invited to help develop and manage the company’s training division, and in 1998 his ENTEX team was recognized by Ohio Governor George Voinovich with the Ohio Workplace Excellence Award as one of the best training groups in the state.
Bach grew up in Woodford County, Kentucky. He and his wife, Kendra, live in Anderson Township, Ohio, with their twins, Nicholas and Emma.
Jack Gordon, Director of Sales & Marketing
Jack Gordon joined Turfway Park as director of sales and marketing in April 2005 after two years as corporate sales manager for Belterra Casino and Resort in Indiana. Before his tenure at Belterra he spent five years as convention sales manager for the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau and three years as sales department manager for Argosy Casino and Hotel. He is credentialed by the Convention Industry Council as a Certified Meeting Planner and is a board member and past president of the Ohio Chapter of Meeting Professionals International.
As director of sales and marketing, Gordon is responsible for partner/sponsor relationships, customer relationship marketing including FasTrack Rewards, group sales, promotions, and advertising.
A graduate of South Dakota State University, Gordon grew up in Rapid City. He lives in Florence with his wife, Laura, and two young children, Jackson and Abigail.
As director of sales and marketing, Gordon is responsible for partner/sponsor relationships, customer relationship marketing including FasTrack Rewards, group sales, promotions, and advertising.
A graduate of South Dakota State University, Gordon grew up in Rapid City. He lives in Florence with his wife, Laura, and two young children, Jackson and Abigail.
Richard Leigh, Racing Secretary
Rick Leigh was Turfway Park’s racing secretary from 1992 through 1994 and returned to the role in April 1995 after one season as an Association steward. A native of East Liverpool, Ohio, Leigh started his career in racing more than 25 years ago at Waterford Park, now Mountaineer Park, in Chester, West Virginia. He further honed his skills at racing operations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Louisiana before coming to Kentucky more than 20 years ago. When Turfway is closed for live racing, Leigh serves as an Association steward at Keeneland and Churchill Downs.
Leigh’s wife, Amy, is office manager for Turfway Park.
Leigh’s wife, Amy, is office manager for Turfway Park.
Kim Day, Director of Human Resources
Kim Day joined Turfway Park as the track's human resources generalist in 2000 and was promoted to director of human resources in 2006. A graduate of Thomas More College, she began her career in human resource management in 1993, working for Mazak Corporation and ZF Sachs, both in Florence, Kentucky, and Western-Southern Life in Cincinnati before coming to Turfway.
Day also manages The Paddock Shop, Turfway's gift shop.
Active in her community, Day has served as a team captain for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign since 2001 and is a member of Turfway's team for the Chamber's BEST program, which partners area businesses with local schools. She also leads Turfway's United Way and Fine Arts Fund campaigns.
Day lives in Burlington, Kentucky, with her husband, Shawn.
Day also manages The Paddock Shop, Turfway's gift shop.
Active in her community, Day has served as a team captain for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Total Resource Campaign since 2001 and is a member of Turfway's team for the Chamber's BEST program, which partners area businesses with local schools. She also leads Turfway's United Way and Fine Arts Fund campaigns.
Day lives in Burlington, Kentucky, with her husband, Shawn.
Sherry (Sheryle) Pinson, Director of Communications
Sherry Pinson joined Turfway in 2003 as media relations coordinator and was named director of communications in 2006. A graduate of Anderson University in Indiana, she previously worked for music publishing, book publishing, and computer consulting firms in marketing, copywriting, and design roles. She established a freelance writing and editing business in 1998, serving regional, national, and international clients in a variety of industries.
Since 1995, Pinson has been a member of the CIS Partnership, a national group of businessmen and -women who support mission work in the former Soviet Union. She has written two books about mission work in Baja California, Appalachia, and Ukraine, both published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.
Since 1995, Pinson has been a member of the CIS Partnership, a national group of businessmen and -women who support mission work in the former Soviet Union. She has written two books about mission work in Baja California, Appalachia, and Ukraine, both published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.
