Louis Cella, whose family founded the Oaklawn Jockey Club in 1904, has been named president of the Hot Springs racetrack and gaming facility as well as Southwestern Enterprises Inc., the parent company of Oaklawn.
He succeeds his father, Charles Cella, who died Dec. 6.
In addition, Louis Cella's brother John Cella has been named president of the family's Southern Real Estate & Financial Co. Inc., also succeeding his father.
Earlier this year, Louis Cella became a third-generation member of the Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors. His grandfather served as president of the organization from 1959-60 and his father served as president from 1975-76.
In August, he was elected to the Jockey Club, which establishes the recommended standards for the industry.
"The appointment of Louis Cella as president of the Oaklawn Jockey Club will be welcomed news throughout the racing industry as it continues the legendary involvement of the Cella family," James (Ted) Bassett III said in a news release.
Louis Cella is a 1990 graduate of the University of Arkansas Law School. He is vice-chairman and director of outdoor musical theater MUNY, past chairman of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center Foundation, director of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board and director of the Myeloma Institute.
He and his family live in Ladue, Missouri.
