As the Chief Financial Officer of HISA, Jim Gates manages the finances, including financial planning and reporting for the Authority. With a nearly 30-year career in the Thoroughbred industry, he brings a broad range of experience across multiple areas of business. As a result, he has in-depth knowledge and experience in track operations and finance, horsemen and customer relations, safety and integrity pursuits, trainer and broodmare farm operations and finance and regulatory and legislative matters.

Gates spent 14 years at Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), including seven years as General Manager of Churchill Downs Racetrack and three years as Vice President of Development, during which he oversaw mergers and acquisitions. Following his time at CDI, Gates spent several years serving as CFO/COO of Dale Romans Racing Stable. He has also served on the Boards of Directors of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium, Racing Officials Accreditation Program, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory and Thoroughbred Racing Associations.

Additionally, prior to his time at HISA, Gates spent roughly 10 years conducting safety accreditations for the Safety & Integrity Alliance at racetracks nationwide, learning and espousing best practices in all areas of equine and human safety.

Gates is a Certified Public Accountant, with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Contact Jim at jim.gates@hisaus.org.