Jeffrey Cannizzo to join NYRA as senior director of government affairs

Jeffrey Cannizzo, who has led the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. for 13 years, has accepted a position with the New York Racing Association to be its senior director of government affairs, the two organizations said Tuesday.

Cannizzo, whose job as executive director of the NYTB entailed frequent contact with state legislators, will start his new position at NYRA as of Jan. 4, according to the association. NYRA, which is heavily regulated, operates Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga under a franchise agreement with the state.

“Jeff’s knowledge and understanding of the Thoroughbred racing industry and its importance to the New York state economy make him an ideal fit to lead NYRA’s legislative efforts in Albany,” NYRA chief executive David O’Rourke said in a prepared statement. “Jeff’s ability to effectively communicate the industry’s many benefits to New Yorkers will be a valuable addition to the NYRA team.”

The NYTB, which was founded in 1974 to represent the interests of Thoroughbred breeders, will start a search for a new executive director “immediately,” the nonprofit company said.

“Jeff’s knowledge of the industry and his ability to forge consensus among regulators and elected officials has allowed the NYTB to reach new heights as an organization,” NYTB president Thomas Gallo said in a statement. “These attributes will serve him well at NYRA, and we wish him all the best in the future.”