Steve Barham
Steve Barham joined the faculty of the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona in November, 2002. He is one of two associate coordinators in the RTIP, and teaches Animal Sciences 345 -Introduction to Racing Law and Enforcement, Animal Sciences 433/533 - Advanced Racing Law and Enforcement and AnS 446 Human Resource Management. In addition, Barham is responsible for coordinating independent study, including promoting independent study activities in the industry, tracking potential projects and assisting in matching students to these various projects.
Barham has over 17 years’ of regulatory experience in the pari-mutuel industry having served as Executive Director of the Oregon Racing Commission from 1985 to 2002, giving him real world knowledge of regulation and the role of regulators in the racing industry. During his tenure at the Oregon Commission, he was responsible for management of agency operations and was a trusted advisor to the Commission, recommending policy positions and action, and interpreting racing law and rules. He brought Oregon racing into the new millennium with an innovative strategic plan, and authored the statues and rules, which provided the necessary regulatory framework to allow the establishment of multi-jurisdiction simulcasting and wagering hubs in the State of Oregon.
Barham has been a prominent member of organizations of racing regulators and has served on a number of committees, with both RCI and NAPRA, utilizing his expertise in racing law and rules. He continues to be a strong proponent of model rules. He has been presented awards from both organizations for his contributions, including the Len Foote Award, for the Outstanding Executive Director by RCI in 1997. In addition, he has received two Winner Circle awards (1999, 2000) and one Pacesetter award (1998) from NAPRA.
Prior to joining the RTIP, Barham served as a guest lecturer to the Program on a number of occasions, and has also testified before the National Public Sector Gaming Commission and The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States. He continues to utilize his knowledge and passion for the Industry, business sense and direct no-nonsense style to work as a private consultant, arbitrator and mediator.
A native of Pendleton, Oregon, Barham survived an early initiation into the rodeo world as a bull and bareback rider (prior to brain development). He attended Alaska Methodist University, in Anchorage, majoring in Psychology, graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree from Western Oregon State College and holds his Masters of Business Administration from Portland State University.
His hobbies include hunting and fishing. As well, he is an avid reader, fledgling astronomer and, according to his previous staff at the Oregon Racing Commission, a “Prefesser of Barbecue”.