The Board of Directors of the Horseracing Authority for Safety and Integrity announced on January 11 that Lisa Lazarus will serve as Executive Director of the Agency beginning February 15. The Board reached this decision after in inviting Russell Reynolds to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent CEO.
Under Lazarus’ leadership, HISA will implement a track safety program on July 1, joining an independent best-in-class enforcement agency to oversee the Agency’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control program. agencies, and work with stakeholders across the United States to evaluate and improve both programs on an ongoing basis.
“We are delighted to have Lisa on the board as we approach the effective date of HISA’s program in six short months,” said Charles Scheeler, chairman of the board. “Her deep background in the sports business and the law will be on full display as she leads the racing industry into a new, safer era of clean competition under the rules and regulations. unanimity.”
“I look forward to working with the impressive range of independent and diverse professionals at HISA to make racing safer and fairer for everyone. As someone who has worked with the industry in throughout my career and as a lover of horses, I said Lazarus.
Lazarus founded and leads the Equestrian Foundation at Morgan Sports Law, where she provides advice on health and safety issues and rules compliance in addition to representing athletes, owners and coaches in disputes before national and international governing bodies. Prior to joining Morgan Sports Law, she was general counsel and then director of strategy and business development at Fédération Equestre Internationale, the international governing body for equestrian sports.
Before focusing on the equestrian industry, Lazarus spent a decade at the National Football League, where she worked as the federation’s industrial relations consultant, representing the 32-member NFL clubs in collective bargaining matters and in arbitration disputes, including anti-doping enforcement matters. She later became a senior legal counsel before taking on the role of NFL International’s senior director of partnership development at their headquarters in London, UK. Lazarus began his legal career as an associate at Akin Gump for four years after graduating from Fordham University Law School and working as a clerk for a federal district court judge in Memphis, Tenn.
Under the leadership of Interim Chief Executive Officer Hank Zeitlin, the Agency’s advisory committees drafted the proposed rules and regulations and sought industry feedback through an extensive process of engagement. stakeholders, resulting in the successful submission of the Raceway Safety Program to the Federal Trade Commission on December 6 ADMC The Commission worked with USADA to release six documents for public comment. These include the Proposed Horse Protocol, Prohibited List, Definition, Horse Arbitration Procedure, Testing and Investigation Standards, and Standards for Laboratories and Accreditations.
“The remarkable progress achieved in such a short time is a testament to Hank’s professionalism and extensive knowledge of the racing industry. He has convened a small but competent staff team. The board of directors appreciates Hank’s leadership and service to the community, and is highly appreciated to undertake this enormous effort with advisory committees, and the work products speak for themselves,” said Scheeler. racing.”
“It has been a privilege to be part of the process of improving and modernizing the sport,” said Zeitlin. “I look forward to working with Lisa in the coming months as my time at HISA comes to an end and the integrity of the sport.”
