Derby Lane makes a Winning choice

ST. PETERSBURG — For 90 years, Derby Lane has been a family run business. It won't be changing anytime soon.

The greyhound track's board of directors ensured that on Thursday, voting unanimously to make Richard Winning the eighth president of Derby Lane.

"It's been a long history for the family, and I'm honored that (the board) is giving me the opportunity to move forward with the facility and with this business," Winning said. "Certainly, I've been here long enough to understand it. I've worked every job in the racetrack except for playing in the band."

Winning, 58, is a cousin of Vey Weaver, who retired this week as president after 12 years. Winning's promotion from senior vice president takes effect July 1, at which time he will be chairman of the board. Winning said he will "handle things in the interim" until then. Weaver will remain on the board.

Winning has been a staple at Derby Lane, beginning in 1975 with a lengthy stint in the personnel office working with admissions. "I started at the bottom and worked up," he said.

His great-grandfather T.L. Weaver and grandfather John Brooks were responsible for opening Derby Lane's doors in 1925, Winning said.

Winning, a St. Petersburg native and resident, graduated from St. Petersburg College and attended USF. He has three daughters: Andrea Winning, 45; Alexis Winning, 32; and Kimberly Winning, 27. Andrea is Derby Lane's community coordinator, and Alexis handles track social media.

Weaver's retirement caught many by surprise. "We were all taken back a little bit. … I wasn't ready to hear it," Richard Winning said.

"People have their own goals in life, so they'll reach out and grasp the brass ring and run. Vey had been thinking about (retirement) for a year. He has been a great friend, as well as a cousin. I'm going to miss having him around. He's always been up forward and front."

Other managerial changes have taken place at Derby Lane. Stephen Hlas is senior vice president; and Louise Weaver (Winning's cousin), David Tiano and Jerry Zimmerman are vice presidents.

"We have over 500 employees that are still dependent upon us being here every day for them, and we provide some entertainment to a lot of people," Winning said. "Every day is a challenge."

Fran Williamson, Derby Lane's long-time director of marketing, is retiring on June 30.

"I'm going to miss having her around," Winning said. "She's been a fixture with her personality and with people."

Winning said Derby Lane will continue its pursuit of adding revenue streams.

"I'd love to get new products (slots, for example) from the state of Florida," he said. "The No. 1 goal is to improve and to keep business flowing. Very few businesses that are 90 (years old) are up these days. The way this economy is and the way things change, it's unique."