OUR STAFF:

Drew J. Couto President of TOC

The younger brother of a jockey and trainer, Mr. Couto has had a lifelong interest in Thoroughbred racing, since he witnessed his first Thoroughbred horse race at the age of six.

Mr. Couto is a graduate of the University of California and Pepperdine University School of Law. While still a student, he spent his summers gaining practical experience, both as a lawyer and a horseman, on racecourses throughout California and in Newmarket, England. Mr. Couto began practicing law in 1986 in San Diego, California and practiced for 10 years before leaving his partnership in 1995 to serve as the first General Counsel and Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC). The following year, he was asked to serve as President and General Counsel ofthe Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (TOBA) in Lexington, Kentucky, and did so for nearly four years.

In addition to being a paid executive, Mr. Couto has been an active horse owner since 1987. Since that time he has campaigned over thirty horses, mostly in partnership with family and friends, and proudly recalls that it was in 1976, when he was just 16 years old, that he was first licensed by the California Horse Racing Board.

In addition to serving as President of TOC, Mr. Couto has served, or currently serves, as the following:

· A member of the American Horse Council’s Racing Advisory and Governmental Affairs Committees;

· A U.S. representative on the International Breeders Secretariat and International Equine Health Committees;

· Founder of the Claiming Crown

· Chairman of the America’s Day at the Races Steering Committee;

· A trustee of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation;

· A member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s (NTRA) Wagering Integrity & Security, Interactive Technology, Joint Purchasing, and Insurance Committees; and,

· Served as the NTRA’s first Director of Special Projects.

 

 

Guy Lamothe Executive Director

Guy Lamothe serves as TOC's Executive Director. With experience in corporate finance, strategic planning and business analysis, he comes to TOC from Universal Studios, where he directed worldwide planning efforts related to theme parks, entertainment complexes and hotel resorts. He previously worked in the horse racing industry in various marketing and development capacities with Santa Anita Park and A. Balch & Company. Guy is an undergraduate of UCLA, where he also earned an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

An avid horseracing fan since his teens, he is "thrilled to be part of such an influential and forward-looking organization." Guy resides in Calabasas with his wife, Jane, and two daughters, and will be based at TOC's corporate offices at Santa Anita in Arcadia.

Kellee Breen
Chief Financial Officer

Kellee Breen prior to joining TOC in 1997 worked for many years as a bookkeeper and business manager for trainers, owners, jockeys, farriers, and veterinarians. She also served as the hospital administrator for the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital and as the development officer for the University of Sydney Rural Veterinary Centre in Australia.

As the TOC’s Chief Financial Officer, Kellee is in charge of preparation of monthly financial statements for the Board of Directors and TOC’s annual audit and budget, as well as handling all of TOC’s monthly financial business. She works year-round out of TOC’s Del Mar office.

Lucinda Mandella Director of Owner Services

Lucinda joined TOC in 1997, after graduating from the University of Arizona's Racetrack Industry Program. She serves as the Director of Owner Services, traveling to each of Southern California's live race meets. Lucinda oversees TOC's continuing education program, coordinating all of the seminars and events hosted by TOC each year.

She also provides liaison services to owners at each live meet and handles various other projects including managing TOC's website and coordinating TOC's Annual Meeting and Annual Owner Awards ceremony.

Mary Forney Director of Operations

Mary Forney joined TOC in September 2004 as Director of Operations. She oversees day-to-day administrative operations for our President, edits our quarterly newsletter, tracks and analyzes out-of-state simulcast revenues and trends, serves as staff liaison to the Board, and generally fills the role of "keel" at the TOC's corporate office at Santa Anita. A magna cum laude graduate of California State University Los Angeles, Mary holds a BA in Sociology with an Emphasis in Law and Society. Mary moved over to TOC after 13 years at Santa Anita, where she held various positions including program production supervisor, executive assistant to the general manager, and simulcast coordinator. In 2006, Mary was named "Outstanding Woman in Thoroughbred Horse Racing."

Ali LaDuke Project Coordinator

The newest addition to the TOC staff, Ali came on board in March, 2008. She joined TOC after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program.  A sixth generation Californian, she considers the state’s horse racing the best there is!  Ali rounds out the staffing at the Southern California offices, providing project assistance to the president and other executive staff members, providing customer service to members, overseeing the membership database, and generally helping keep our very busy offices ship-shape! She also serves as staff liaison for TOC’s Owner Relations Committee. Stop by and introduce yourself during live racing at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, or Del Mar.

 

Richard Scheidt Director of Northern California Operations

Richard Scheidt joined the TOC in July 2006 as the Northern California Representative. Richard comes to TOC after working for more than five years on California’s statewide horseplayer loyalty program, most recently as program manager. A Bay Area native, he holds a business degree from San Jose State University and he attended University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program.

Richard will serve the needs of owners in Northern California, facilitate TOC’s events in the North and assist in the development of a new TOC e-newsletter.

Wayne Atwell Assistant Director of Northern California Operations