NYRA hires new security chief

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Robert Sica has been hired as vice president of security for the New York Racing Association, returning to a place where he worked during the summers of his youth.

Sica worked as a hotwalker and groom for several trainers at Belmont Park, which is near the village of Floral Park, where he grew up.

Sica comes to NYRA after working 31 years for the U.S. Secret Service, most recently as the special agent in charge of the New York Field Office. He was the chief law enforcement officer in charge of security for Pope Francis’s visit to New York last fall as well the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sica replaces George Venizelos, who resigned after just over a year as head of security for NYRA to take another position in the private sector.