Ralph M. Scurfield
Encyclopedia
Ralph Merle Scurfield, born 20 August 1928 in Pennsylvania
, served on the California Horse Racing Board
(CHRB) from 1991 through 1999, serving as chairman of the board from 1992 to 1999.
Scurfield's involvement in civic affairs dates back to the 1960s when he served on the Sacramento Planning Commission and the Sacramento City Council. He is president of the Scurfield Company in Sacramento, dealing in property investment and commercial development and management.
Scurfield also served as an officer of the Association of Racing Commissioners International from 1994, becoming president of that organization in 1998 and serving one term as chairman in 1998-99.
Scurfield was first appointed to the California Horse Racing Board in 1991 by Governor was George Deukmejian
, and was twice re-appointed to the Board by Governor Pete Wilson
.
Scurfield was first named Chairman in 1992 and retained that post with the unanimous support of his colleagues until his term as CHRB commissioner expired September 26, 2000.
As chairman of the CHRB Scurfield lead the board through a decade that brought enormous change to the California horse racing industry as it faced unprecedented competition from other forms of gambling and entertainment.
Scurfield was influential in bringing about license-fee relief to the horse racing
industry, personally appearing before legislative committees to explain the importance of the industry in terms of jobs, revenue, and its impact on the overall economy.
During Scurfield’s reign as chairman of the CHRB he directed his efforts to abolish substance abuse
among industry workers. He influenced support for the Winners Foundation, the employee assistance program for persons in the California horse racing industry with problems related to drug or alcohol abuse, and created the Human Substance Abuse Advisory Committee, which brought medical experts and industry leaders together to deal with the problem. Scurfield was also responsible for establishing a voluntary program that enables trainers to test their employees and new-hires for drugs.
John Van de Kamp
, president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, praised Scurfield saying "Ralph Scurfield’s tenure on the CHRB was distinguished by dedication to duty and to his obligations, his availability, his willingness to listen, and a real commitment to the industry as a whole. His service provides a good example for others who will follow in his footsteps."
Ken Maddy, former California State Senator
said of Scurfield: "As chairman, Ralph came before the Legislature and pointed out what horse racing means to California economically, and he explained what the industry needed from its elected officials. He played a vital role in gaining license-fee relief for the industry. To me, his leadership role in supporting that legislation was his most significant accomplishment."
Scurfield is currently heading the newly formed Sacramento Harness Association.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, served on the California Horse Racing Board
California Horse Racing Board
The California Horse Racing Board was established in 1933 as an independent agency of the State of California, United States. The CHRB has authority over the regulation of horse racing and parimutuel betting at licensed California race tracks...
(CHRB) from 1991 through 1999, serving as chairman of the board from 1992 to 1999.
Scurfield's involvement in civic affairs dates back to the 1960s when he served on the Sacramento Planning Commission and the Sacramento City Council. He is president of the Scurfield Company in Sacramento, dealing in property investment and commercial development and management.
Scurfield also served as an officer of the Association of Racing Commissioners International from 1994, becoming president of that organization in 1998 and serving one term as chairman in 1998-99.
Scurfield was first appointed to the California Horse Racing Board in 1991 by Governor was George Deukmejian
George Deukmejian
Courken George Deukmejian, Jr. born June 6, 1928) is an Armenian American politician from California who as a Republican served as the 35th Governor of California and as California Attorney General .-Early life:...
, and was twice re-appointed to the Board by Governor Pete Wilson
Pete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
.
Scurfield was first named Chairman in 1992 and retained that post with the unanimous support of his colleagues until his term as CHRB commissioner expired September 26, 2000.
As chairman of the CHRB Scurfield lead the board through a decade that brought enormous change to the California horse racing industry as it faced unprecedented competition from other forms of gambling and entertainment.
Scurfield was influential in bringing about license-fee relief to the horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
industry, personally appearing before legislative committees to explain the importance of the industry in terms of jobs, revenue, and its impact on the overall economy.
During Scurfield’s reign as chairman of the CHRB he directed his efforts to abolish substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
among industry workers. He influenced support for the Winners Foundation, the employee assistance program for persons in the California horse racing industry with problems related to drug or alcohol abuse, and created the Human Substance Abuse Advisory Committee, which brought medical experts and industry leaders together to deal with the problem. Scurfield was also responsible for establishing a voluntary program that enables trainers to test their employees and new-hires for drugs.
John Van de Kamp
John Van de Kamp
John Kalar Van de Kamp is an American politician. He served as Los Angeles County District Attorney from 1975 until 1981, and then as 28th Attorney General of California from 1983 until 1991....
, president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, praised Scurfield saying "Ralph Scurfield’s tenure on the CHRB was distinguished by dedication to duty and to his obligations, his availability, his willingness to listen, and a real commitment to the industry as a whole. His service provides a good example for others who will follow in his footsteps."
Ken Maddy, former California State Senator
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
said of Scurfield: "As chairman, Ralph came before the Legislature and pointed out what horse racing means to California economically, and he explained what the industry needed from its elected officials. He played a vital role in gaining license-fee relief for the industry. To me, his leadership role in supporting that legislation was his most significant accomplishment."
Scurfield is currently heading the newly formed Sacramento Harness Association.