Kevin FlaneryBy: Anna Di Marco

Overview

Age: 44

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky

President, Churchill Downs Racetrack

Senior VP, Churchill Downs Inc.

Journey to Success

First Job: Cutting grass for the grade school

College Education: B.A. in psychology, Bellarmine College (1987) University of Kentucky College of Law (1990)

Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet: Deputy secretary and legislative liaison (Oct 1996-May 2000)

Finance and Administration Cabinet: Deputy secretary (June-Dec 2000) and Secretary (Jan 2001-Dec 2002)

Hagan Properties: President and chief operating officer

Churchill Downs Inc: VP of national public affairs (2005-Feb 2008) and senior VP of national public affairs and communications (March 2008-July 2009)

Advice

http://archive.courier-journal.com/VideoNetwork/1908505976001/Churchill-Downs-track-President-Kevin-Flanery-on-the-Sept-meet

“If it is your passion, pursue it. Think about what the sport can be, not what it has been. We need creative thinkers to

present the sport to the next generation.”

Admirations

Executive most admired: Abraham Lincoln

Brand most admired: NFL

When asked what stands out in the sports world…

“The PGA Tour, with how they are reacting to the economy and reinvigorating their product with both

the World Golf Championships and their season-ending tour championship.”

Gloria Martin

Sources

http://www.churchilldownsincorporated.com/our_people/management/flanery

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2009/09/20090921/Careerspeople/Spotlight-Kevin-Flanery.aspx?hl=In%20The%20Office&sc=0

Background

Born: January 11, 1977

Raised: on a ranch near Johnson City, Texas

Lyndon B. Johnson High School

Began interning for the saints

College: B.S. in agribusiness at Texas A&M University

Work Experience

Post College: worked for the Saints

2003: Took over management of the New Orleans VooDoo (AFL)

Named leagues top executive

2008: went back to Saints after hurricane Katrina

Publically identified as successor as principle owner of Saints

Chairs the NFL Employee Benefits Committee

Self View

Benson LeBlanc is a link between her grandfather’s business savvy and the new world of social media, naming rights, and mobile technology

View of Others

“Rather than being the owner's granddaughter and coming in here trying to change everything, she was trying to learn everything. She went from department to department, and she really listened a lot. She asked a lot of questions, and I think that serves her well today.” -Saints CFO/Executive Vice President Dennis Lauscha

“I believe she’s driven by the desire to be taken seriously and to be recognized as a successful businessperson in her own right.” -Bob Brown, former Managing Director of the Business Council of New Orleans

Personal Branding Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACtKswlcJrc

Sources

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/staff/rita-benson-leblanc/fc011079-e601-4976-90f0-feb80d15851d

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Benson_LeBlanc

https://www.netjets.com/ascend/articles/sport/rita-benson-leblanc/