Reitz replaces Aldrich as Northfield Park GM

Northfield Park on Monday announced new duties for two key executives. Thomas M. Aldrich, chief operating officer since May 2000 and general manager from 1985 to 2000, has been named vice-chairman of Milstein Entertainment, the company headed by Brock Milstein which is the majority owner of both the harness track and the $265 million Hard Rock Rocksino video lottery terminal complex under construction in Northfield Village between Akron and Cleveland. Brent Reitz, Northfield's vice-president of operations and communications since February 2011, has been promoted to vice-president and general manager and will succeed Aldrich in overseeing the daily activities of Northfield Park and Cedar Downs, the track's off-track betting facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

 

Commenting on Aldrich's new role, company owner Brock Milstein said: "Tom has been instrumental in the growth and continued stability of the business over the past 28 years. His dedication earned him the respect of employees, horsemen and so many others in the industry. Tom's experience and business acumen will be of even greater importance as we expand our gaming and entertainment offerings, and I am delighted that he is continuing his long association with my family and me. We both look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

 

Aldrich, 62, has filled Northfield's top operations post for half of the track's existence since its founding in 1957. A graduate of The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, he also served stints as executive assistant to the late Stan Bergstein at Harness Tracks of America's trade association headquarters, and general manager of the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and Rosecroft Raceway in Maryland.

 

New GM Reitz, 51, is a 21-year veteran of the racing industry. He was director of sales and marketing at Thistledown for 15 years and served as that track's vice-president and general manager from 2008 to 2011. Reitz, a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Sports Administration, began his career with Cleveland Cavaliers' Coliseum Management, where he worked as an account executive for seven years.

 

"Besides being very promotion-minded and customer-oriented, Brent is a consummate operations professional,” stated Aldrich, who will be working with Reitz on the transition. "He is steady, detail-oriented and a positive communicator who is highly regarded by industry peers and regulators. I know that he will have the support of our deeply talented staff here, and we are enthusiastic about what lies ahead for him and the rest of the Northfield Park team as we embark on this new and exciting era.” (Northfield Park)