Hannah Simms – Director of Sports Wagering, Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation

Hannah Simms is the Director of Sports Wagering for the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, where she leads regulatory efforts to ensure a fair, transparent, and safe sports wagering environment for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  She ensures that sports wagering in Kentucky operates smoothly and responsibly, balancing industry growth with effective regulatory oversight. Before stepping into this role, Hannah served as Associate Dean of Students at the University of Kentucky, where she oversaw student behavior, risk management, and other compliance-based processes. She also led public health initiatives during the pandemic as Executive Director of UK Health Corps. In addition to her work in higher education, she has experience in government affairs, legal research, and marketing. Hannah holds a Juris Doctorate as well as bachelor’s degrees in political science and international studies from the University of Kentucky.

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Former Senator Damon Thayer - Thayer Communications & Consulting LLC

Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) was Kentucky’s longest-serving Republican Senate Majority Floor Leader. Elected to that position by his Republican colleagues in January 2013, he is the third Republican to serve as Majority Leader of the Kentucky State Senate. He was a member of the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee. Before being elected to his Leadership post, Sen. Thayer chaired the Senate State and Local Government Committee from 2005-2012. As chairman, he played a pivotal role in significant issues such as pension reform, redistricting, election law, special districts, government ethics and transparency. Thayer previously served as an Equine Issues Subcommittee member and was co-chair of the 2021 Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force. He has two children, Daniel and Katie. Daniel graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2019, and Katie graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2023.

 

 

Ashleigh Bailey – Chief Legal Officer of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation

The Corporation regulates all forms of live horse racing, pari-mutuel wagering, sports wagering, breed integrity and development. Prior to joining the KHRGC, Ashleigh served as an Attorney Senior with the Law Department of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, specializing in the areas of human resources, ethics, and legislation as Corporate Counsel.  From 2014-2022, Ashleigh served as Deputy Bar Counsel with the Office of Bar Counsel of the Kentucky Bar Association.  During her time at the KBA she investigated and prosecuted bar complaints and served as the Intake Manager.  Ashleigh also helped manage the Client Security Fund and served as the Southeast Regional Vice President of the National Client Protection Organization. She also served as a Staff Attorney for four years with the Lagrange Trial Office of the Department of Public Advocacy. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky in 2004 and went on to earn her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2007.  Upon graduation, she was the Staff Attorney for the Honorable Doughlas George, Chief Circuit Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit