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Roy A. Arnold was named president of Arlington Park and its network of Trackside off-track betting facilities on March 30 2006 and assumed his new responsibilities on April 11 2006.
Arnold joined the Arlington Park team following an extensive and highly successful military career in the United States Marine Corps where he most recently served as the assistant wing commander for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing I Marine Expeditionary Force. During his 30-year tenure Arnold held leadership positions at home and abroad at every level of the Marine Corps and held command positions in such important military campaigns as Operations Desert Shield Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
A strong leader throughout his highly decorated military career demonstrated his ability to identify goals define and execute strategies to achieve those goals and deliver exceptional results Roy has already invested considerable time and energy learning about the horse racing industry and understands the opportunities we have and the challenges the industry faces.
Originally commissioned as an infantry officer when he joined the Corps in 1976 Arnold transitioned to aviation in 1983 and was designated as a naval aviator in 1984 quickly assuming flight leadership positions within his new discipline. He saw combat duty while serving as the operations officer of an attack helicopter squadron during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and also commanded an attack helicopter squadron that introduced an updated version of the Cobra Attack Helicopter.
After squadron command Arnold served as the executive officer for a Marine Corps expeditionary unit conducting crisis management operations in the Middle East. Soon afterward Arnold was promoted to the rank of colonel and invited to attend the prestigious National War College with a follow-on assignment to Europe as the operations officer for Striking Forces South a major NATO military command. Arnold was then selected for one of the Corps' most prestigious assignments and given command of a Marine Expeditionary Unit operating in the Pacific Theater.
In his final assignment as the assistant wing commander for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing I Marine Expeditionary Force Arnold commanded six aircraft groups and approximately 17 000 troops while overseeing a $740 million dollar operations budget. During this assignment Arnold helped coordinate ongoing U.S. operations in Iraq including a key military engagement in the city of Fallujah where residents were facing constant violence and unrest at the hands of insurgents.
Arnold 50 is a native of Ithaca N.Y. and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York at Brockport a Master of Arts degree in international relations from the University of San Diego and a Master of Science degree in national security affairs from the National War College.
Arnold's military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Navy and Marine Corps Medal Air Medal with 2nd Strike Numeral Meritorious Service Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal as well as other service and campaign awards.
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