Standardbred Canada (SC) announced on Thursday, June 29 that Dan Gall will be leaving the association as President and CEO in early 2024.
Gall, President and CEO of Standardbred Canada since July 2016, is leaving to pursue other interests to allow for a better work-life balance, and to create an opportunity for others to lead the association.
“The hardest part is leaving the incredibly dedicated and passionate SC team that I have come to know and respect, along with the great people that I have been fortunate to meet and work with,” said Gall. “For the past seven years, I have worked alongside some of the greats in this industry and I will truly miss my colleagues, and while there is still a lot of gas in the tank, I am hoping to pursue other interests that I can dedicate more time and energy to.
“During the past seven years, Standardbred Canada has strived to become an essential support to our members, stakeholders and industry, and there is no doubt in my mind that we have moved closer to achieving our overall vision by adopting our corporate values and working with the industry to improve the sport overall.”
Gall, who took the position of President and CEO after having several senior leadership roles with Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG), including General Manager of OLG Slots at Woodbine, went straight to work to re-establish partnerships by promoting accountability, integrity and transparency within the organization.
“As the late great Dr. Ted Clarke said to me, ‘the Standardbred Canada badge was tarnished and in need of polishing,’ which was the first thing I set out to do by visiting racetracks to see and hear from members across the country,” said Gall.
Other highlights have included hosting the 2017 World Trotting Conference in Prince Edward Island, developing and designing five-year and annual strategic plans with a strong focus on data governance and stakeholder relations, creating a more robust online presence and experience for members that includes online entries and self-serve capabilities, launching the Membership Value Program (MVP), microchipping all Standardbred racehorses in Canada, conducting a full governance review of the association, establishing the Rules of Racing committee with provincial regulators, restructuring the organization with a focus on operational excellence, authoring a post-pandemic “Return to Racing Blueprint” to assist getting the racing industry back on track, launching the online auction service Bid & Buy, overhauling SC bylaws, establishing a National Horse Association group while hosting Quarterly Provincial Horse Association meetings, negotiating member insurance enhancements, launching Direct Deposit in Ontario, overseeing a major office renovation, releasing the Quarterly Standardbred Racing Statistics Report Card, collaborating with the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society on Traceability and Identification and now getting ready to release the first ever National Economic Report Card on the horse racing sector.
“On behalf of the Standardbred Canada Board of Directors, I would like to thank Dan for his energy, leadership and vision to further enhance Standardbred Canada’s role within the industry. His honesty, commitment and integrity are inspiring and aspiring for the board and staff,” said Joanne Colville, Chair of Standardbred Canada. “I was Chair of the Board when we first elected Dan as the President and CEO and having returned as Chair it is refreshing but not surprising that Dan still maintains the same drive, desire and values that he brought to the association which will help ensure a smooth transition for a new President and CEO. And, we have Dan’s commitment that he is available and will continue to work with the Association and the Board on potential future projects.
“Next steps for the Board are to immediately begin work with Dan and the Executive Committee in the recruitment for the next Standardbred Canada President and CEO and to continue the journey of making the association an essential service to this industry.”
One of the most important goals that Gall successfully achieved was bringing strong corporate governance to the association which included creating a vision statement, establishing corporate values, developing annual strategic plans, and launching a rewards and recognition program for employees.
“It has been the thrill of my lifetime that I have been able to see and learn firsthand from the hard-working individuals that we have within our organization,” said Gall. “From our Senior Directors to our Racing Reps, the SC team gives their all to our members and to our sport and while change has always been difficult to navigate, I am forever indebted to the Standardbred Canada team, which has supported and assisted these changes over the past several years.
“I look forward to my next adventure and in the search for our next President and CEO. I hope that I can assist Standardbred Canada and the industry in moving forward into the future.”