NEWS
Bill Mudd
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:35 AM
BILL MUDD
Churchill Downs Inc.
As chief financial officer of Churchill Downs Inc., Bill Mudd has played a part in the Louisville racetrack owner’s diversification process.
In recent years, Churchill has added gaming options at tracks in Louisiana and Florida, placed more emphasis on its advance-deposit wagering outlet TwinSpires.com, and launched an entertainment division that boasts an upcoming summer music festival at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Mudd worked for 15 years at General Electric, which included working for the company’s Middle East and Africa division in Budapest, Hungary. Churchill not only provided Mudd an opportunity to work in his hometown but seemed a good fit for him.
“During the interview process, I was extremely impressed with Churchill Downs Inc.’s leadership team and the strategic direction of the company,” Mudd said.
In looking at racing’s numbers each workday, Mudd believes the industry will continue to face reductions but he believes Churchill has positioned itself well.
“The continuing decline in consumer demand for racing combined with shrinking horse populations will require further reductions in the number of races in order to keep the remaining race product economically viable and competitive,” Mudd said. “Racetrack consolidation will continue with the ability to conduct alternative gaming and the alternative uses of the track’s real estate determining which tracks survive and which do not.”
Date of birth: April 21, 1971
Birthplace: Louisville
Residence: Louisville
Title: Chief financial officer, executive vice president
Company: Churchill Downs Inc.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Bellarmine University; Master of Business Administration, Webster University
Family: Married, three sons
Career: Joined Churchill Downs in 2007 after working for General Electric for 15 years
Favorite horse: Zenyatta
What book are you currently reading? The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, by Alice Schroeder
Last movie you saw at the theater: Avatar
What’s on your iPod? “Everything. It has more than 7,000 songs and I like all types of music.”
Outside interests: Golf, reading, watching sons play sports, spending time with family
Personal motto: “Always strive to do more than you think you can.”
Best advice someone gave you: “Focus on the things you can change, not the things you cannot.”
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