Our thoughts today are with Charles J. Cella’s immediate family along with his Oaklawn Jockey Club family, as the Hot Springs community shares in their loss.
For 113 years, Oaklawn and Hot Springs have been closely intertwined. As Oaklawn’s president and chairman over a span of nearly 50 years, Mr. Cella expanded operations and created countless jobs. As a result of Mr. Cella’s leadership, innovation and business intuition, Oaklawn continues to have a profound impact on tourism, educational opportunities and economic growth in Hot Springs as well as the State of Arkansas. Through Mr. Cella’s generosity and loyalty to Hot Springs, his legacy will continue to influence future generations.