suggestion for new nyra coo
 

I've been thinking ( a dangerous thing! ) about the stir at NYRA by the announced leaving of bill Nader. It would seem they need a person to step in with industry experience in the midst of chaos. The thought occurred that former Gulfstream GM Scott Savin would be a capable person for the position. When he was employed there, he was all over the place personnally checking on all matters, a very hands on guy. He responded promptly to emails I sent him and matters / suggestions were implemented in a quick manner. I believe he comes from a horseracing family as well as having been involved in the Florida HBA.
I just googled Savin, and find out he is VP and COO at Flagler Dog Track in Miami. He is heading up a push for slots in Miami Dade county. I will link the info at the end of this missive. Any how, if NYRA could entice him , it might be a good fit as he has both the horseracing management and slots experience needed . Comments ?

http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/.../tidbits1.html

I think it would be a mistake.

obviously you have some knowledge from which to base an opinion, care to elaborate ?

There are only a couple of people out there that would be a fit..

Corey Johnson, who recently left MEC, is the obvious one..

Rick Hammerly, who came inches from joining NYRA as VP/Racing a year ago, is another..

Let's just give it to Imbriale.

Who wants a job that might only be there for 9 more months?

Any word on either , or is it still too early in the game to be throwing this subject around ? I enjoy your repartee with RH and he would hit the ground running.
If NYRA is like other places, sometimes the place sort of runs itself. Everyone steps up and does more and things go on as before for 6 -12 monthes until new blood is in place. Then, things get interesting as the new blood stamps their turf.

I just pulled the Corey Johnsen ,PR release . Seems he is with a private investment group buying an unspecified racetrack.

"Corey Johnsen, who led the development of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, has resigned as President of Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) Southern Operations to join a group of private investors that are in the process to acquire controlling interest of another North American racetrack."

Its a glass half full or empty sort of thing. While the future is certainly uncertain, the future opportunity is there to be taken by the forward thinking person. That person would establish themself and get a toehold for the next entity to run NY racing. Better to be in place, than to apply for a postion when the dust has settled and lots of folks apply.

Hammerly and his wife had trouble finding a place to live that they were happy with at the time he was considering the job. He is doubtful at this point I believe to make a move.

Johnson, who was totally under-utilized at MEC, left to join a group that is trying to a acquire a racetrack. He might be interested since he has only been involved in that project for a number of weeks.

The job is not unappealling as there is every likelihood that NYRA will be a part of whatever new franchise configuration emerges after January 1, 2008, and a guy like Johnson would be part of it...

The issue is finding someone that has experience in as many areas as Nader did/does. Marketing; Simulcasting; Operations; Mutuels; Trustees; etc.. Nader did EVERYTHING.

And he did it well.

I think you are right that there is some appeal to taking a chance with NYRA right now in that it could enhance your future position. NYRA's gets stronger every day. Anyone care to wager as to whether or not the new franchise holder, should it be someone other NYRA, is actually announced by the end of May?

They'll probably get that done before the budget. There's a lot of weasals up in Albany.

I second that

In the Saratogian article about Nader, it mentions that VP Cathy Marino is leaving also. Does anyone know anything about this? She was great to deal with whenever there was a problem with seats,etc. She will be missed.

Cathy has been planning her retirement for a long time. She bought a place in Saratoga at least a few years ago and has been planning on leaving for at least that long. It's scary to think how long she has been at NYRA but I think it's around 30 years.

She will be working this year's Belmont and Saratoga, however, and it is up in the air whether or not she will work those periods in future years. I imagine if NYRA maintains the franchise she will at least help out at different times.

Cathy is a terrific person who will be missed by a lot of us. She, along with others in her department, have been kind listeners to many of our gripes over the last 20 years.