Officers & Staff
Corporate Office: Prospect, Kentucky
Nelson E. Clemmens, founder and Chief Executive Officer, is a Kentucky- and New York-based owner/breeder, is involved with the Kentucky HBPA and other Thoroughbred industry organizations and is committed to improving the future viability of Thoroughbred racing. His career is rooted in corporate finance/investment banking with GE Capital and Pine South Capital, the latter of which he founded in 1986. He also is or has been an owner and investor in health care, service, technology and software, manufacturing, and distribution companies. He graduated from Stetson University with a degree in Finance and received his MBA from Western Kentucky University. He serves as a Trustee of Stetson University and is an advisor to the Kentucky HBPA.
Teresa Florence, Vice President of Finance, has extensive experience with public and private companies in financial management, including treasury management, budgeting and operations analysis, acquisition due diligence, system development and implementation, and human resource management. She also has extensive involvement with financial reporting and maintains her own accounting practice, where she serves a variety of business clients including Thoroughbred operations and partnerships. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Louisville. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Kentucky Society of CPAs.
Amanda Anderson, Simulcast Director, is a Thoroughbred owner whose corporate experience includes project management, customer service, financial analysis, and regulation compliance. Prior to AmWest, she held positions with Churchill Downs Sales and Marketing, Churchill Downs Simulcast Network, Aegon Insurance Group, and Sears. She has a dual Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Economics from Bellarmine University. She also received a Masters in Business Administration with a minor in International Business from the University of Kentucky and a degree in Equine Management from the University of Louisville.
Brittany Goodman, Program Administrator, is a horse owner/breeder with experience involving a range of breeds and disciplines. Her career experience includes sales, customer service, company growth management, and research and development. Before joining AmWest, she held positions with a luxury hotel and museum as well as with several horse breeding/training stables. She has a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Administration and Business Management from the University of Louisville.
Operations Office: Portland, Oregon
Randy Boden, Chief Operating Officer, began his career in the pari-mutuel industry in 1992. He has held various management positions in the industry, including Field Operations Director, Simulcast Coordinator, racetrack Mutuel Manager, and Service Manager for high volume players. He has a strong technical background and also has advised on the construction and design of OTB and racetrack facilities. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State College.
Rhonda Hiatt, Manager of Race Day Control and Site Coordinator, has over 25 years experience in the pari-mutuel industry. She began her career as a manager in charitable gaming before becoming a teller in high volume account wagering. Since then, she has specialized in assisting with the establishment of new domestic and international simulcast facilities, with her duties including training tellers and working with management to develop money room procedures, setting up satellite and communications equipment and creating programs. She also has served as a manager in high volume account wagering.
Managing Directors
Michele MacDonald, Director of International Racing, has over 25 years experience in racing while specializing in communications and also is a Thoroughbred owner/breeder. She is a multiple award-winning international writer, editor and photographer, with her work published regularly in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. She has edited two award-winning books on horses and has written chapters in books on the Kentucky Derby and Keeneland, among others. She owns Full Stride Communications in Lexington, Kentucky, and previously served as Executive News Editor at Thoroughbred Times following earlier positions as Vice President of a racing photography company and racetrack Director of Media Relations. She has a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Government from Lehigh University.
Eric Troelstra, AmServices Managing Director, has over 20 years experience in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing as an owner/breeder and is currently a member of the United States Trotting Association. His previous corporate experience includes finance/accounting, marketing and business development, client services programs, process engineering and project management. Prior to opening Troelstra Management Consulting, he held positions as the Chief Financial Officer of IDC Corp. and Vice President of Shared Services at NFI Industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany and a Masters in Business Administration in Finance with a concentration in Marketing from St. John's University.
Advisors
Joel B. Turner, Corporate Counsel
Frost Brown Todd
400 West Market Street, Floor 32
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
(502) 589-5400
Richard Yuvienco, Business Banking
Wells Fargo Oregon Specialty Markets
1300 SW Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor
Portland, Oregon 97201
(503) 886-1416