Betty Leon appointed to NYRA board of directors

Betty Leon, a community activist in Queens, has been named to the board of directors of the New York Racing Association by the New York Assembly, the assembly announced on Wednesday.

Leon, a resident of Far Rockaway who is a registered nurse, attorney, and chair of a charter school in Queens, was appointed by Carl Heastie, the speaker of the General Assembly, acting on a recommendation from Stacey Pheffer Amato, a member of the Assembly who sits on the Racing and Wagering Committee.

One of the three tracks operated by NYRA, Aqueduct is in Queens and Pheffer Amato represents the district where Aqueduct is located.

“I am proud to appoint Betty Leon to the NYRA board of directors because I am confident that she will be a valuable asset to the board, and that she will add much needed diversity,” said Heastie, in a statement. “Her deep roots in the Rockaway community ensure that she will protect the interests of all the stakeholders, including the hardworking New Yorkers whose livelihoods depend on the continued success of New York’s horse racing industry.”

The NYRA board has 17 seats, and the Assembly and the Senate each control two appointments to the board.