Robert Leichner Executive Secretary

Robert M. Leichner was born and raised in Vancouver, WA and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School. In 1973 he was employed by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and served with them until his retirement in June 2001 as the interim Chief.

He is a recipient of the Governor’s Distinguished Management Award and holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Northern Colorado and a Masters degree in Public Administration from Eastern Washington University. Bob is a graduate of the 175th Session of the FBI National Academy and of Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in-state and Local Government Program.

Bob was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Washington Horse Racing Commission on July 15, 2002.

  
   
   
   
  The Washington Horse Racing Commission, (WHRC), was created by the Wahington State legislature in March of 1933. By law, the WHRC is required to license, regulate and supervise all race meets held in the state. Governor Clarence D. Martin appointed the first commission, which consisted of Chairman Edwin J. Brown, Dr. A.R. Galbraith and Allen Drumheller. Pari-mutuel horse racing has been conducted in Washington every year since 1933, with the exception of 1943 when racing was cancelled due to the Second World War.

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and serve six-year terms. They may serve more than one term. Commissioners must be Washington citizens and residents and registered voters. One commissioner must be an active breeder of race horses in the state.

Originally a three-member commission, the WHRC was expanded to five members in 1998.

In addition to the WHRC members, four members of the Washington State Legislature are appointed ex-officio members. These are non-voting members whose duties are to assist in the policy-making, rather than administrative, functions of the commission, to collect data deemed essential to future legislative proposals and to exchange information with the commission. Two of these ex-officio members are appointed by the President of the Senete, one from each party, and two are appointed by the Speaker of the House, also one from each party. Ex-officio members serve two-year terms and may be reappointed.

 
 
   

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