Dennis Bassett, chairman of the WROTB board, fields questions from the media this morning following the announcement that Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has been offered a contract to lead the organization. (Photo by Mike Pettinella)
By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service
As anticipated, the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. board of directors this morning offered a contract – at a starting salary of $295,000 – to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
Brown is expected to accept the terms of the pact to become the public benefit company’s next president and chief executive officer, said WROTB Board Chairman Dennis Bassett, who addressed Buffalo, Rochester and local media following the board meeting at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.
“The board did approve the agreement with Mr. Byron Brown and I will give you a number – the number we did approve, his annual salary will be $295,000 a year,” Bassett said, adding that the offer does not include a signing bonus.
Bassett said he expects Brown to be on the job by next month’s board meetings as long as he acquires his gaming license from the New York Gaming Commission. The board chair added that Henry Wojtaszek, the current president and CEO, will work with Brown through the end of the year. (Photo-City of Buffalo)
Wojtaszek, along with Chief Financial Officer Jacquelyne Leach and VP/Administration William White, previously accepted a buyout from WROTB. Wojtaszek’s salary is $299,000.
Thirteen of the 17 directors – representing the organization’s member municipalities – were present at the meeting and all 13 voted in favor of the contract.
Bassett said the board is “excited and fortunate” to the Brown hiring and pointed to the mayor’s political connections in Albany as key factors going forward.
“We have not had the presence in Albany and in the state legislation that we needed to do some of the things that we really wanted to do,” Bassett said. “We think the relationships that Mayor Brown has developed over the years in his time as a legislator and his relationships in Albany and in the governor’s office will help us to move forward with some of the things that we would like to do.”
Bassett said Batavia Downs has been growing “exponentially” the last couple of years.
“We can’t continue to do the things we’ve been doing without some support,” he said. “As we look at sports betting, as we look at expansion of the hotel, as we look at some of the things that I think are going to be important for us to have a sustainable growth, we have Mayor Brown in a new position (who) can really help us.”
The board chair did not disclose any other provisions of the contract, such as incentives and bonuses, other than say Brown initially would receive two weeks’ vacation. He said a copy of the contract will be made available through the Freedom of Information Law after it is signed by Brown.