Summary

"Ron has never forgotten where he came from or the help that he received to get there"

Story

Today Metropolitan King County CouncilmemberPete von Reichbauer and the King County Council recognized businessman Ron Crockett for saving thoroughbred racing in western Washington and for his generous philanthropy over the years.

After numerous successful business ventures, Ron became known as the man who saved Washington state’s thoroughbred racing industry and brought live horse racing back to western Washington by personally investing over $10 million and building Emerald Downs in Auburn, which saved thousands of jobs along the way.

In addition to saving racing, Ron has been a generous supporter of numerous organizations, including the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital, and was honored with the 1994 Foster School of Business Leadership Award, 1997 UW Alumni Association Recognition Award, 2013 Paul Allen Sports Citizen Award, and most recently, the 2016 UW College of Engineering Distinguished Service Award.

“Ron Crockett is an example of hard work and generosity,” said von Reichbauer. “Ron has never forgotten where he came from or the help that he received to get there. In turn, he has transformed the lives of countless individuals with his leadership, vision and dedication, his philanthropic work in the community and his efforts to keep horse racing viable and thriving in Washington State.”

 WHEREAS, Ron Crockett was born and raised in Renton, Washington, and attended the University of Washington, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering; and

WHEREAS, Ron founded Tramco, the largest aircraft overhaul company in the nation, growing the company from five employees in 1970 to 2,500 employees in 1988, and after selling Tramco, was involved with other successful companies, including Eagle Hardware & Garden, which was later acquired by Lowe’s for $1 billion; and

WHEREAS, Ron is well known as the man who saved Washington’s thoroughbred racing industry and brought live horse racing back to western Washington by building Emerald Downs, personally investing over $10 million and saving thousands of industry jobs along the way; and

WHEREAS, Ron credits his University of Washington scholarship for enabling him to receive an education that was critical to his success, and throughout his career, he has worked to help students succeed and has donated over $10 million to UW for endowed scholarships and fellowships in business and engineering schools, renovation of athletic facilities, and assisting academic and athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, Ron’s involvement with UW includes six years on the UW Foundation Board of Directors where, under his chairmanship, the university exceeded its previous record for private gifts; and

WHEREAS, Ron has helped to improve and save the lives of countless children at Seattle Children’s Hospital by donating over $3 million and establishing the Ron Crockett Endowed Fund for Brain Tumor Research; and

WHEREAS, because of his philanthropic contributions to the University of Washington and the horse racing industry, Ron received the 1994 Foster School of Business Leadership Award, 1997 UW Alumni Association Recognition Award, 2013 Paul Allen Sports Citizen Award, and 2016 UW College of Engineering Distinguished Service Award;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, recognize and thank

for his leadership, vision, and dedication to the University of Washington, his philanthropic work in the community, and for his efforts to keep horse racing viable and thriving in Washington state.

DATED this twentieth day of June, 2016.