2023-05 ACGKY Deal of the Year

William "Bill" C. Carstanjen was named Churchill Downs Incorporated's twelfth Chief Executive Officer in August 2014 and appointed to the Board of Directors in July 2015. Mr. Carstanjen served as CDI’s President and Chief Operating Officer (2011-2014), Chief Operating Officer (2009-2011) and Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Development Officer (2005-2009). Prior to joining CDI in July 2005, Mr. Carstanjen served as an executive with General Electric Company. He began his career as an attorney with Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York City, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance. Mr. Carstanjen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his leadership role at CDI. Throughout his tenure, he has led CDI's diversification strategy into online wagering and regional casino gambling, as well as led the growth of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby events. Mr. Carstanjen is a Director of Glenview Trust Company.

John Sweeney's career spans 25-plus years in M&A and Corporate Finance.  He specializes in middle market sized, closely held private companies who are seeking guidance in a greatly expanded, target-rich private capital market universe. His typical client comes from that large pool of Baby Boom entrepreneurs who are now seeking liquidity, transition, partnership, or even ultimate exit from their largest and most personal investment -- their closely held business.

Since 2021, he leads Slane Hill Capital Advisors as managing partner.  He previously worked as managing director for Hilliard Lyons (later Baird) Business Owner Solutions, and before that, was managing director of investment banking for Hilliard.