Biography of Jerry Simms

Biography of Jerry Simms

Jerry Simms of Arizona is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and horse race track owner from Ohio. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of one and then to La Jolla in 1985. The businessman is a former automotive dealership proprietor and banker. He has owned the Turf Paradise horse race track in Phoenix, Arizona, since 2000. Opened in 1956, Turf Paradise is currently the third-largest sports attraction in Arizona.

Simms is a lifelong philanthropist. Charities, nonprofit organizations, and other good causes supported by the entrepreneur and his business at Turf Paradise include Phoenix Children's Hospital, Saint Mary's Food Bank, and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona. In 2020, Jerry Simms personally donated $1 million to the Arizona Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Away from his work and charitable endeavors, Jerry Simms, Turf Paradise owner, is passionate about numerous hobbies and other interests, including golf, pickleball, and poker.

Current Role

Turf Paradise, Inc. Jerry Simms, Phoenix, Arizona, area entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the owner of Turf Paradise, Inc. in Arizona's Deer Valley. Originally established and financed by local businessman Walter Cluer in 1956, work on Turf Paradise began in 1954, opening two years later in 1956. As Arizona's first-ever sports franchise, it maintains among the longest thoroughbred racing seasons in the United States.

Enterprising self-made multi-millionaire Simms and his group purchased Turf Paradise, which sits in the picturesque Deer Valley, in 2000. As the famous horse race track's new owner, he immediately began renovating and restyling the venue as part of a $5-million overhaul. Almost a quarter of a century later, Simms remains at the helm of Turf Paradise.

Turf Paradise boasts a one-mile oval main track, a seven-furlong oval turf course, and a four-furlong oval training track. On-site facilities originally included a $125,000 equine swimming pool financed and installed by Simms and his team in 2003. Holding over 140,000 gallons of water, the 30-foot by 60-foot pool provided advanced hydrotherapy for over 2,000 thoroughbred horses stabled at Turf Paradise.

Turf Paradise owner Simms, aided by a team of partners, continues to oversee operations at the Deer Valley-based horse race track in Phoenix. The venue is now the third-largest sports attraction in Arizona.

Career History

Simms' entrepreneurial career began in the 1970s, owning numerous highly successful automotive dealerships in Pasadena, California. The enterprising horse race track owner would later move into the banking industry before pursuing lucrative opportunities in real estate development.

His real estate development endeavors have continued in parallel with owning and running Turf Paradise. That includes purchasing and developing a large site on a busy intersection adjacent to the race track. This site has undergone extensive commercial development focused on enhancing the community.

Philanthropic Endeavors

Although now based in California, Simms has spent considerable time living and working in and around Phoenix in the famous Grand Canyon State. As a proud Phoenician and dedicated community member for many years, the philanthropic businessman remains committed to numerous all-important good causes in and around the Arizona state capital.

Among the charities, nonprofit organizations, and other good causes he supports is Phoenix Children's Hospital. Donors like Simms allow the dedicated children's hospital to offer the best medical specialists, cutting-edge technology, and all-important family-centered care available to those who need it most.

In 2020, Jerry Simms, Turf Paradise's owner, donated $1 million to the Arizona Coronavirus Relief Fund. The fund provided crucial financial support to organizations working to mitigate the pandemic's impact on local communities. That included funding domestic violence facilities, food banks, homeless shelters, and other services helping vulnerable Arizonans.

The same year, Turf Paradise—under Simms' leadership—donated a further $50,000 in food to the Saint Mary's Food Bank. St. Mary's is Arizona's largest food bank. The organization dedicates itself to ending hunger by providing food boxes to those in need across Phoenix and the neighboring towns and cities.

Further charities, nonprofit organizations, and good causes previously supported by Jerry Simms, Turf Paradise, and its team include United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona and the Glendale Union High School District.

Personal Life & Interests

California-based Jeremy Ellis "Jerry" Simms was born in the Midwestern United States. Growing up, a young Jeremy loved horses, later inspiring him to purchase Turf Paradise some 1,500 miles away in Phoenix, Arizona. Now a proud grandfather, he remains a skilled sportsman and is a passionate golfer and pickleball player.

The entrepreneur, philanthropist, and sports attraction owner enjoys poker, working out, and handicapping at horse races. The Midwest native relishes spending as much time as possible with his family and revels in activities exercising the body and mind. He currently lives in the seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, around 15 minutes from downtown San Diego.