Chris McErlean, vice president of Racing for Penn National Gaming, Inc., was elected the 35th president of the Thoroughbred Racing Association at its annual Board of Directors' meeting

Tuesday at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans. McErlean, who succeeded Arlington Park President Roy A. Arnold as TRA President, has served on the TRA Board since 1998.

The TRA Board elected Craig R. Fravel and re-elected Randall D. Sampson as TRA Vice Presidents. Also elected was Scott Wells as TRA Secretary, and re-elected were William I. Fasy as Treasurer and Christopher N. Scherf as Executive Vice President.

McErlean stated: "I am a racing fan and the combination of racing and business has always been my passion. Helping lead the trade organization representing the finest racetracks in North America is indeed an honour. There is no doubt that the business of horse racing is extremely challenged and despite the many issues at our individual local levels, there are common goals and objectives that we all share in attempting to move our businesses forward."

McErlean, whose office is at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, PA, directs the operations of the growing PNG family of racetracks, including Penn National, Charles Town Races, Beulah Park, Zia Park, Raceway Park, Bangor Raceway, and Sanford Orlando Kennel Club. Additionally, PNG is a partner in Laurel Park, Pimlico Racecourse, Freehold Raceway, and Sam Houston Race Park.

McErlean joined Penn National in 2007 following a 15-year stint with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. During that time, he held a number of positions in the operations, marketing and simulcasting departments and ultimately held the title of Vice President of Racing Operations for both Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands.

Prior to joining the NJSEA, McErlean was the executive assistant at Harness Tracks of America under the tutelage of Stan Bergstein. While in college, McErlean interned at Brandywine Raceway. He began his racing career at the early age of 14 as the youngest published handicapper for the Delaware (PA) County Daily Times.

He is a director of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, a director of the U.S. Trotting Association, a member of the Equibase Management Committee, and is treasurer and former president of Harness Tracks of America. McErlean holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics/Finance from the University of Scranton and an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. McErlean is a native of Aldan, PA and resides in Hummelstown with his wife, Michele, and their two daughters.

(TRA)