Jim Gates, Jr., CPA, MBA
Jim has 30 years of experience in Finance, Operations and Business Development. Beginning in then-Big Six public accounting, he was an auditor who eventually landed in Finance at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. At Churchill Downs, Jim was the youngest Vice President at the time and enjoyed positions in Finance and Business Development, being integral in the $350M of acquisitions that launched Churchill Downs' growth into the large enterprise it has become. Moving to Operations and eventually General Manager of the legendary racetrack, Jim oversaw all operations of the facility. His tenure at Churchill Downs afforded exceptional growth in his personal career and also provided him the components necessary to build and run a successful business enterprise.
Taking these experiences into a consulting situation has given Jim the opportunity to engage in several entrepreneurial projects in which he provided overall insight and advice typically given by a CFO or COO. Jim has maintained clients in horse-racing, and also serves other industries from start-up stages to full-scale operations. A founding member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety Accreditation Team, he travels across the country auditing racetrack safety requirements. Serving in the Senior Financial post at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, he is also well-versed in tourism and venue management, fundraising at national and international levels. He has served on the Louisville Sports Commission Board, Greater Louisville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and after several years on the Executive Committee, he was recently President of the St. Xavier High School Alumni Association.
Work Style
Superior analytical skills and business knowledge are at the forefront of Jim's abilities. He can evaluate, assess and recommend successful strategies in a variety of business settings. His experience includes:
Taking these experiences into a consulting situation has given Jim the opportunity to engage in several entrepreneurial projects in which he provided overall insight and advice typically given by a CFO or COO. Jim has maintained clients in horse-racing, and also serves other industries from start-up stages to full-scale operations. A founding member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety Accreditation Team, he travels across the country auditing racetrack safety requirements. Serving in the Senior Financial post at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, he is also well-versed in tourism and venue management, fundraising at national and international levels. He has served on the Louisville Sports Commission Board, Greater Louisville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and after several years on the Executive Committee, he was recently President of the St. Xavier High School Alumni Association.
Work Style
Superior analytical skills and business knowledge are at the forefront of Jim's abilities. He can evaluate, assess and recommend successful strategies in a variety of business settings. His experience includes:
- Financial analysis, audit and advising
- On-site CFO/COO consulting/contracting
- Strategic financial and operational modeling
- Process analysis & improvement
Heather Holladay Gates, MBA
Heather is a seasoned professional with over 25 years' experience in Human Resources, Operations, Organizational Development and Project Management. Starting her career in HR, Heather gravitated to problem-solving projects and was often called a "utility player." Just like in baseball, she could play many different positions and loved the versatility and challenge that came with frequent change.
Earning her MBA at the University of Louisville after undergraduate studies in Business Administration at Murray State University, Heather's experience quickly accelerated at a successful healthcare corporation. After several years of corporate life, she felt a calling to try non-profit work in order to apply the same set of skills, but use them to help people and the community. Heather has served on various Boards of Directors and committees over the years and since starting a family in 2006, she has maintained a book of business as a freelance/independent consultant in numerous industries and organizational structures.
Work Style
Advanced communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills support a high tolerance of ambiguity, initiative, and versatility. With proven success as both a leader and an individual contributor, her experience includes:
Earning her MBA at the University of Louisville after undergraduate studies in Business Administration at Murray State University, Heather's experience quickly accelerated at a successful healthcare corporation. After several years of corporate life, she felt a calling to try non-profit work in order to apply the same set of skills, but use them to help people and the community. Heather has served on various Boards of Directors and committees over the years and since starting a family in 2006, she has maintained a book of business as a freelance/independent consultant in numerous industries and organizational structures.
Work Style
Advanced communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills support a high tolerance of ambiguity, initiative, and versatility. With proven success as both a leader and an individual contributor, her experience includes:
- Project development, management & execution
- Facilitation and public speaking/presenting
- Operational problem-solving
- Policy and procedure development
- Process analysis & improvement