Horse Racing Alberta is pleased to announce the appointment of Kent Verlik as its Chief Executive Officer.

Verlik has extensive senior leadership experience working with government, NGOs and industry stakeholders to create programs and services that improve Albertans' health, safety, and quality of life. Through transformational leadership, he has inspired innovation and lead organizational change.

Prior to his appointment, Verlik was the Director of the Alberta Safety Codes Authority (ASCA). In this role, he was responsible for establishing ASCA and overseeing safety codes permitting and inspections services in unaccredited municipalities on behalf of the Government of Alberta.

Verlik also held a variety of executive roles as at the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), including: Executive Director, Social Responsibility; Executive Director, Corporate Strategy & Social Responsibility; and Vice President, Lottery & Gaming. He participated on various national and provincial committees and presented regularly at both academic and industry-sponsored conferences.

Verlik was born and raised in Edmonton where he has worked throughout his career. In 2000, his family moved to St. Albert where his son and daughter were raised and graduated high school. Today, his family lives on a 42-acre hobby farm in Lac Ste. Anne County with their dogs and horses.

Active in the community, Verlik coached his kids’ soccer teams, was a Parent Council member and President of their school`s fund raising society. Board experience includes: Director, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association; Director, Alberta Special Olympics; and Chairman, Edmonton Special Olympics.

Verlik holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management from Athabasca University, a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Toronto/St. Michael’s College and Certificates in Executive Leadership Development from UNLV and the Niagara Institute. He is also a three-time Premier`s Award of Excellence recipient.

Verlik is excited about his new role, “I look forward to working closely with the HRA Board and all stakeholders to successfully move the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry into the future.”

Horse Racing Alberta is a private, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to govern, direct, control, regulate, market and promote the Alberta Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.

(HRA)