Ann McGovern oversees the implementation of and compliance with HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program, including the racetrack accreditation process. Her diverse experience in horse racing includes racetrack management roles at Remington Park in Oklahoma, Sam Houston Race Park in Texas and Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino in New Mexico.

McGovern began her career at Louisiana Downs, where she eventually became the track’s Assistant Director of Public Relations and Marketing and participated in the development of Remington Park, where she was named Director of Operations. While serving as Vice President of Operations at Sam Houston Race Park, McGovern also served on the board of the National Chaplaincy Program and was instrumental in the development of the Groom Elite Program.

In 2008, McGovern became President and General Manager of Ruidoso Downs and Casino in New Mexico. In that role, she oversaw the ownership company’s public golf course, community newspaper and multiple radio stations, in addition to managing the racetrack and casino.

Following her tenure at Ruidoso Downs, she retired from full-time racetrack management and has since worked on select projects including Kentucky Downs’ Historical Horse Racing casino expansion and the oversight of the track’s unique, all turf racing program. McGovern also managed the multimillion-dollar renovation and reopening of Arizona Downs.

McGovern graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and completed the Racetrack Industry Program at the University of Arizona.

Contact Ann at ann.mcgovern@hisaus.org.