NYRA hires Miner as director of marketing

ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association has once again reached outside of the racing industry to hire an executive, this time tabbing Darran Miner as the organization’s new director of marketing.

Miner replaces Rodnell Workman, who came to NYRA from the National Football League. Workman’s contract, which expired in the spring, was not renewed. Allen Gutterman, a former NYRA marketing executive, worked as a marketing consultant for a four-month period that was set to expire this weekend.

Miner, 42, comes to NYRA after working 15 years at the U.S. Tennis Association, the last five as the senior director of marketing. At the USTA, Miner directed the creative development, event-day operation, and fan experience for major events such as the U.S. Open, held in Flushing, N.Y., not far from Belmont Park.

In his new capacity with NYRA, Miner will oversee marketing, including advertising, creative services, and customer-relation management strategies. He will report directly to Lynn LaRocca, NYRA’s senior vice president and chief experience officer.

Prior to joining the USTA, Miner spent three years in minor-league baseball with the Prince William (Va.) Cannons of the AA League. After graduating from UMass-Amherst’s sports management program in 1994, Miner was hired by the Cannons as director of marketing. He was promoted each successive year to community relations director and then to assistant general manager.