Churchill Downs adds former KFC exec as new VP of investor relations
Sam Ullrich will step into his new role immediately after calling time on a nine-year spell at KFC to join the Kentucky-based operator
Churchill Downs has named Sam Ullrich as the group’s new vice-president of investor relations.
Within this role, Ullrich will be tasked with overseeing every aspect of investor relations and work closely with both current and prospective shareholders and analysts.
He’ll report to Churchill Downs’ executive vice-president and CFO Marcia Dall.
Ullrich’s arrival at the Kentucky-based operator brings an end to his near-decade long spell with fast food giant KFC.
He joined KFC as manager of restaurant economics in April 2015, before being promoted to senior manager of financial planning in September 2017.
Ullrich was made director of financial planning and restaurant economics in January 2019. He spent more than five years in that post, while also taking on the role of chief financial officer on an interim basis in October 2022.
His reign as interim CFO lasted nine months.
Prior to his nine years with KFC, Ullrich was a senior analyst at YUM! Brands from November 2012 until April 2015. That spell was preceded by a four-year stint at PwC.
Ullrich’s appointment comes after the TwinSpires parent company reported record handle of $320.5m across the Kentucky Derby Day program at the start of May.
Last month saw Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen talk up the company’s partnership deals with DraftKings and FanDuel ahead of the Kentucky Derby and reflect on a stellar Q1 performance.
The CEO explained: “The relationships have gone very well. The ability of our teams to work together and make progress together has really been very satisfying.”
Arnold Ash is EGR’s Executive Recruitment Partner. They support ambitious organisations to identify and attract industry leading executive talent. Find out more here.