NEW HIRES/PROMOTIONS
Todd C. Myers has joined the law firm of Rajkovich, Williams, Kilpatrick & True, PLLC.
Lydia Simmons, Aziza Ashy, Justin Handshoe and Mark Yonts have joined Ferreri & Fogle, PLLC as associates in the Lexington office.
Ashley Hazelwood has joined the Danville office of Central Kentucky Ag Credit team as a loan officer.
Retirement
Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson has announced that he will retire, effective September 1, from Keeneland Association after nearly 13 years at the helm. Bill Thomason, currently vice president and chief financial officer, has been selected by the Keeneland Trustees as successor to Nicholson.
With Nicholson at the helm, Keeneland has experienced record sales numbers, as well as record-setting attendance and wagering for its race meeting, despite industry downturns resulting from global recessions and the outbreak of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.
An all-time record of 250,163 attendees were present at Keeneland’s 75th anniversary meet in October 2011, and an all-time record of 40,617 Keeneland fans were in attendance for the 2012 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
“It has been an honor to serve the community and the industry as president of Keeneland,” Nicholson said. “I have enjoyed every single day of it and have just as much passion for the future of our sport as I did on my first day at Keeneland.”
Nicholson will remain with Keeneland in an advisory capacity and will continue to work with the racing and sales company on domestic and international relationships, according to a media release from Keeneland on Nicholson’s retirement.
“Keeneland is a tradition and an entity like no other,” said Keeneland Trustee Louis Lee Haggin, III. “We understand and respect why Nick made his decision, but his daily presence and vision will be missed.”
Thomason will serve as Keeneland’s seventh president. He has been a part of Keeneland’s leadership team since June 2010. He previously served as financial and administrative manager for Mill Ridge Farm, where he worked for Alice Headley Chandler, daughter of Keeneland founder Hal Price Headley.
Thomason is a current board member on the newly created Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. He formerly served as the assistant treasurer for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/ Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders and was a member of the audit committee of the Breeders’ Cup. Thomason has also previously served as treasurer of the Thoroughbred Club of America.
As an active community leader, Thomason has served as chairman of the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce (now Commerce Lexington), chairman of the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, chairman of the Board of First United Methodist Church and a member of the executive committee of Bluegrass Tomorrow.
KUDOS
The University of Kentucky College of Engineering has selected the following 2012 inductees into its Hall of Distinction: Rebecca M. Cowen-Hirsch (B.S., electrical engineering, 1988); D.L. Lobb (B.S. civil engineering, 1979); James W. McCurry (B.S., mechanical engineering, 1953); and Larry E. Whaley (B.S., civil engineering, 1968).