The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit on August 12 announced three appointments to its executive leadership team — Ben Mosier as chief executive, Kate Mittelstadt as chief operations officer and Michelle Pujals as permanent general issue. Both Mittelstadt and Pujals will report to Mosier.
This announcement comes as the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, in consultation with HIWU, prepares to submit draft regulations for the Anti-Doping and Drug Control program to the Federal Trade Commission. Period for review before implementing the program on January 1.
Mosier joined Drug Free Sport International, the independent enforcement agency selected by HISA to run HIWU and administer the ADMC program, in 2010. Most recently, he served as vice president of business development at DFSI and oversaw anti-doping programs for the National Basketball Association. , the PGA Tour, Major League Baseball’s Junior Major League Program, and NASCAR. Prior to joining DFSI, Mosier served as national events coordinator at the Kansas City Athletic Commission.
“It is an honor to take on the role of CEO of HIWU,” said Mosier. “I’m delighted to be building a first-class team that will help improve the integrity of this great sport, while protecting the safety of these great horses with the implementation of the ADMC programme.”
Mittelstadt joins HIWU with more than two decades of experience in the anti-doping field. Most recently, she was the director of the anti-doping program IRONMAN, which became the first program run by a private, non-federation sports organization to officially comply with the anti-doping code. world. Mittelstadt’s anti-doping career dates back to 2000, when she became one of the first employees hired by the US Anti-Doping Agency, and where she served as director of doping control for six years. During that time, she was the manager of the out-of-competition test at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Since then, she has served in various capacities with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the National Association of Anti-Doping Organizations.
“I am extremely motivated by the opportunity to work with the Thoroughbred equestrian community to implement HISA’s unified Anti-Doping and Drug Control program,” said Mittelstadt. “I look forward to using my experience and perspective to improve the safety and integrity of equestrian operations in the United States.”
Pujals previously served over 20 years as a member of the NBA’s legal department, most recently as vice president & assistant general counsel. During her tenure, she oversaw the development and administration of anti-drug programs for NBA players, coaches, and coaches, and was a member of the NBA/Prohibited Substances Committee/ NBPA and the NBA Crisis Management Team. Pujals also oversees general NBA litigation matters, internal investigations and arbitrations, and the development of NBA arena security standards. Prior to joining HIWU, she was the owner and principal of Tautemo Consulting, a sports and legal consulting firm.
Pujals said: “I am delighted and honored to be joining a highly qualified, multidisciplinary team dedicated to tackling anti-doping in Thoroughbred racing. “We hope to improve fairness and integrity in sport, as well as protect the health of the notable horses involved, for the benefit of both the industry and the fans.”
Chris Guinty, CEO of DFSI, said of the appointment, “I am extremely honored and humbled to be surrounded by an amazing collection of anti-doping and horse industry talent on the HIWU team. and our Advisory Board. HIWU leadership has assembled the best human resources in the field to ensure success and stakeholder acquisition.”
This press release has been edited and styled by the BloodHorse Staff.
