Our Team

Jim Brown, President & Chief Operating Officer

As President & Chief Operating Officer, Jim Brown is responsible for both gaming and racing operations at Hoosier Park.

Jim brings more than 25 years of gaming experience to Centaur, Inc., and Hoosier Park – including solid operating experience in multiple jurisdictions. He also has direct experience in overall facility planning, development and construction, including oversight of multiple opening and expansion-related projects.

Most recently, Jim served as President and General Manager of Casino Aztar in Evansville, Ind. Jim held this position for 12 years, opening Indiana’s first casino gaming facility in 1995. Prior to joining Centaur, Jim was employed for more than 20 years by Aztar Corporation. With Aztar, he held senior management positions at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, as well as Ramada Express Hotel & Casino in Laughlin, NV.

Jim served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Casino Association of Indiana from 2002 through 2007. He has a Bachelor of Science in Management and Administration from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

 

Jahnae Erpenbach, Vice President & General Manager of Gaming

As the Vice President & General Manager of Gaming, Jahnae Erpenbach is responsible for all gaming related operations at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.

Jahnae joined Hoosier Park as the Director of Marketing in 2007 and was promoted to Vice President of Marketing in 2009.  Her previous 20 years of casino and hospitality industry experience helped build the business and shape the image of Indiana's first gaming and racing facility.

Prior to joining Hoosier Park, Jahnae served as the Executive Marketing Director of Empress Casino in Joliet, Illinois, Director of Marketing for Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana and Vice President of Marketing for Players Island Casino in Metropolis, Illinois.

Jahnae holds a Bachelor of Arts in both public relations and advertising from Southern Illinois University. She currently serves as a board member for the Madison County Community Health Center in Anderson, Indiana.

 

Brian Elmore, Vice President & General Manager of Racing

Brian Elmore brings more than 30 years of horse racing industry experience to the continued development and operation of Hoosier Park’s two live racing meets and four simulcast wagering operations. Throughout his previous 15 years with Hoosier Park, Brian was instrumental in positioning the company as a premier horse racing destination and Indiana’s first fully integrated gaming and racing facility.

Since 1995, Brian has served Hoosier Park is the positions of Indianapolis Off-Track Betting Facility Manager, Vice-President of Off-Track Betting Operations, and Director of Racing Operations.  

Previously, Elmore served as General Manager of Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky in 2006 and Bandera Downs in Bandera, Texas from 1993 to 1995. Elmore has also served as a member of the Thoroughbred Racing Association and as a Harness Tracks of America Director. 

 

Our senior staff

Rich Ruden, Vice President of Finance & Development

Gene Ciscell, Director of Information Technology

Ryan Clendenen, Director of Audio Visual Services

Jean Crowe, Director of Human Resources

Kiersten Flint, Director of Advertising & Creative Services

Jason Hockwalt, Director of Mutuels & Simulcasting

Larry Kaufmann, Director of Programs

Mike Kohan, Merrillville OTB Facility Manager

Jim Leist, Director of Security

Ray Maurer, Director of Surveillance

Clint McKenzie, Director of Non-Gaming Operations

Rudy McMillan, Director of Food & Beverage

Tricia Lavore, Indianapolis Winner's Circle Pub, Grille & OTB Manager

Elaine Miller, Fort Wayne OTB Facility Manager

Todd Berendji, Director of Casino Operations

Sherry Peterson, Director of Strategic Marketing

Maureen Reilly, Director of Purchasing

Grant Scharton, Director of Public Relations

Mike Walsky, Director of VIP Services & Relationship Marketing

Becky Young, Director of Marketing