Mike Tanner

Mike Tanner is the executive vice president/chief executive officer of the USTA. Tanner is the ninth EVP in the organization’s history. Tanner came to the Association after serving as the first director of racing operations at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack (October 2005-December 2008). Previously, Tanner held a variety of positions in Thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., from 1993-2005, including director of marketing, media and simulcasting; assistant to the president; and director of communications. He performed special assignments at various Magna Entertainment Corp. holdings, did additional work for the Breeders’ Cup from 2001-2003, and was a member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Technology Group’s communications task force in 2002. He began his management career in 1992 at Ladbroke Detroit Race Course. Tanner has served on a variety of industry-related boards of directors, including those of the American Horse Council and University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program. Since his start at the USTA, he has been honored with the Lewis Barasch Breakthrough Award (2008),the John Hervey Award for outstanding harness racing column (2012), and the Harness Horsemen International’s “Dominic Frinzi Person of The Year” (2015). Tanner graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1988. He completed graduate work in clinical psychology at Bowling Green State University from 1989-1991, and subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State University. He and his wife, Gail, reside in Blacklick, Ohio.