NEWS

Industry News

Most Popular Stories

Most E-mailed Stories

Blanton resigns from Keeneland post

Posted: Thursday, August 26, 2010 2:54 PM

by Jeff Lowe

Jay Blanton has resigned after less than a year as Keeneland Association’s director of communications and marketing.

Blanton will return to a position at the University of Kentucky on September 20, following the first week of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Blanton succeeded the retiring Jim Williams as Keeneland’s communications chief at the end of last year. He had been the communications director for Gov. Steve Beshear and previously was the executive director for public relations and marketing for the University of Kentucky. Blanton will return to that role.

“I love Keeneland and I greatly enjoyed the time here—the people here are the best in the business at what they do—but U.K. is a passion of mine and education is in my blood,” Blanton said. “I didn’t anticipate that the opportunity to work at U.K. would come around again, frankly.”

Keeneland President Nick Nicholson said his executive assistant, Vince Gabbert, would assume Blanton’s duties. Gabbert also came to Keeneland last year from the Beshear administration.

Keeneland is in the process of reducing its full-time work force and has offered buyouts to some staff members who are nearing retirement, while not filling positions that have recently come open.

“Jay’s departure will be a loss as he has put in place a solid operational structure that has allowed an already incredibly talented team to reach even higher,” Nicholson said in a memo to employees on Thursday. “I’ve asked Vince to assume Jay’s managerial duties in addition to his other responsibilities. So, along with ticketing and special projects he has undertaken in the past year, Vince will oversee marketing and communications, broadcast services, our retail division, and the library.

“Over time, I believe this approach and structure will allow for even greater synergies as we create an integrated approach to marketing, ticketing, and customer service. We already have a tremendously talented and dedicated staff. I’m pleased that Vince has agreed to take on responsibility for managing and leading it.”

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer