Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Bill Kozitza and the reappointment of Dr. Camille McArdle, DVM, to the Minnesota Racing Commission. 

Kozitza, of North Mankato, recently retired as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Taylor Corporation in Mankato.  He had been with Taylor Corporation for over 23 years.  Kozitza became a certified public accountant in 1981 and earned his bachelor of science degree magna cum laude from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1978.  He received the college's Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 2002.  Kozitza currently serves on the Immanuel St. Joseph's Foundation Board.  He served as president of the Mankato Area Chamber and Convention Bureau and the Greater Mankato Area United Way.  Kozitza has also been a member of the Valley Industrial Development Corporation (now called Greater Mankato Economic Development), North Mankato Port Authority, and the South Central College Foundation, where he continues to serve on the finance committee.  Kozitza replaces Lynn Johnson on the Racing Commission for a six-year term that expires on June 30, 2011.

McArdle, of Corcoran, is a self-employed veterinarian with over 35 years of experience in the horse racing industry working with thoroughbreds, quarter horses, and standardbreds in various parts of the country.  She has spent 12 years as a racing regulatory veterinarian at race tracks in Florida before coming to Minnesota in 1985 to become the track veterinarian at Canterbury Park, then called Canterbury Downs.  In 1993, McArdle left her position at Canterbury to practice in companion-animal medicine and currently works part-time at the Veterinary Center on Main in Osseo.  She has written professionally for Horse Illustrated, Dog Fancy, American Kennel Gazette, and Thoroughbred Times.  McArdle was first to the Minnesota Racing Commission in 1993 and has been a member since that time, serving as its chair from 2003 to 2004.  She has most recently served as chair of the Commission's Racing Committee.  McArdle is reappointed to another term that expires on June 30, 2011.

The Minnesota Racing Commission licenses persons and organizations to operate racetracks, conduct horse racing, and conduct pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing; enforces and collects all applicable taxes and license fees; establishes a Minnesota Breeders' Fund; and, operates a card club.  The commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor.