On Wednesday, August 19, the Woodbine Entertainment Group announced that it has added two members to its Board of Directors.
Via release, WEG announced that Christine Magee, the co-founder of Sleep Country Canada, and Hugh Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Western Fair District in London, Ont., have joined its Board of Directors.
“Ms. Magee and Mr. Mitchell are tremendous additions to our board,” WEG Chairman of the Board Clay Horner was quoted as saying in the release.
“Christine has a strong track record in marketing and building an iconic brand, while Hugh is a broadly respected leader in horse racing and breeding circles. Both will be key figures in Woodbine Entertainment Group’s pursuit of a secure horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario in the short term and a thriving entity into the future.”
The contents of the release appear below.
Two Added To Woodbine Entertainment Group Board Of Directors
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) today announced the appointment of Ms. Christine Magee and Mr. Hugh Mitchell to its Board of Directors.
Ms. Magee is the co-founder of Sleep Country Canada, the largest retailer of mattresses in the country. She has spent the majority of her professional life effectively building Sleep Country Canada into a prominent, much-admired brand.
A community leader, Ms. Magee is a champion of the many charitable initiatives through Sleep Country Canada’s C.A.R.E. platform, including the Donated Bed Program, Give a Kid a Coat, Backpack for Kids. Ms. Magee is an active Mentor for the WXN (Women’s Executive Network) and Ivey School of Business and is working directly with Covenant House Toronto to support the newest awareness /intervention program for girls at risk.
In addition to her charitable work, Ms. Magee is on the Board of Directors of Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc., SiriusXM Canada, and Trillium Health Partners. Ms. Magee is also a member of the Mentoring Council of the Province of Ontario Innovation Fund, the Women's President Organization, the Advisory Council for the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and recently appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
Mr. Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Western Fair District in London, Ontario.
Mr. Mitchell has served in many capacities in horse racing throughout his life including a term as WEG’s Senior Vice President of Racing from 1999 to 2003. He is the Chairman of the Board of Harness Tracks of America (HTA) and the past president of the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association (OHRIA).
Mr. Mitchell currently serves as President of Tourism London and is the Vice-Chair of Board of Governors at Fanshawe College. He is a past Director of both the London Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.
“Ms. Magee and Mr. Mitchell are tremendous additions to our board,” said WEG Chairman of the Board, Mr. Clay Horner. “Christine has a strong track record in marketing and building an iconic brand, while Hugh is a broadly respected leader in horse racing and breeding circles. Both will be key figures in Woodbine Entertainment Group’s pursuit of a secure horse racing and breeding industry in Ontario in the short term and a thriving entity into the future.”
The appointments come at a vital time for the province’s horse racing industry.
“We will continue to work with the Government of Ontario on its plan to integrate horse racing into the province’s gaming strategy,” said WEG Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jim Lawson. “We are committed to ensuring Woodbine Entertainment Group fulfills its mandate as a provider of high quality horse racing and strengthen our stature as a progressive, innovative, world-class sports and entertainment industry leader.”