{"id":75589,"date":"2026-05-28T13:34:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=75589"},"modified":"2026-05-28T13:34:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:34:36","slug":"genesee-county-wny-crystal-rodriguez-dabney-elected-chair-of-western-regional-off-track-betting-corporation-board-of-directors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/genesee-county-wny-crystal-rodriguez-dabney-elected-chair-of-western-regional-off-track-betting-corporation-board-of-directors\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/WNY\/Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney Elected Chair of Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation Board of Directors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" data-attachment-id=\"75592\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/genesee-county-wny-crystal-rodriguez-dabney-elected-chair-of-western-regional-off-track-betting-corporation-board-of-directors\/snapshot_001-318\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,1080\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-title=\"snapshot_001\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?fit=900%2C506&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?resize=900%2C506&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-75592\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BATAVIA, N.Y. \u2014 Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTBC) today announced the election of Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney as Chair of its Board of Directors, marking a historic milestone for the organization and for New York State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez-Dabney becomes the first woman to serve as Board Chair of WROTBC in more than its 50-year history and the only woman currently leading an off-track betting corporation&#8217;s Board in New York State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her election represents both a defining moment for the organization and a renewed commitment to strong governance, regional growth, and delivering meaningful returns to the 17 municipalities WROTBC serves through its operations at Batavia Downs Gaming &amp; Hotel and across its network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/New-Board-Chair-Downs-5.28.26-mp4.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Video clips from an interview with new Board Chair Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez-Dabney brings a distinguished record of leadership and public service across government, higher education, healthcare, and the legal profession. An attorney and lifelong Buffalonian, she has built her career advancing organizational excellence while expanding opportunity across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, which operates Batavia Downs Gaming &amp; Hotel including a Harness Track and OTB Branches across Western New York, is one of the region\u2019s largest public-benefit corporations. Governed by 17 municipalities that includes 15 counties and the cities of Buffalo and Rochester- WROTBC employs over 440 people and returns millions of dollars annually to local governments, serving as a critical source of non-tax revenue for the communities it serves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez-Dabney, succeeds Dennis J. Bassett of Rochester, who recently resigned as Chairman, said she is honored to have the Board\u2019s confidence in her leadership and is energized by the opportunity to help continue moving WROTBC forward under the leadership of President &amp; CEO Byron Brown. Her term as Chairperson will last throughout her term on the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez- Dabney said, \u201cWestern Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation just experienced its most financially successful year ever, and I look forward to building on that momentum alongside the Board of Directors and staff. Over the last decade, the Corporation has evolved into far more than a racetrack, and I believe Batavia Downs and WROTBC will continue growing as a true regional destination everyone can enjoy. As Chair, my focus will be on bringing people together, staying centered on our mission and the work that moves us forward, and delivering meaningful results for the municipalities and communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Byron Brown, WROTBC President &amp; CEO said, \u201cI want to congratulate Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney on being selected as the new Chair of the WROTBC Board of Directors. Crystal has exceptional leadership skills and experience and is well respected. I\u2019m very confident that she will continue to move this Corporation in a positive and profitable direction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez-Dabney currently serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Employee Advocacy &amp; Fairness Officer, and Associate Counsel at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center\u2014an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a designation held by fewer than 4% of cancer centers nationwide and widely recognized as the gold standard in cancer care and research. At Roswell Park, she leads enterprise-wide strategies that strengthen workplace culture and support a sense of belonging for employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She joined Roswell Park in June 2023 following her tenure as First Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff for the City of Buffalo, where she played a key role in major city initiatives. Prior to her work in municipal government, she served at SUNY Buffalo State University from 2018 to 2022 in senior leadership roles, including Chief of Staff to the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rodriguez-Dabney holds an Advanced Certificate from Cornell University and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from California State University San Marcos, while serving in the U.S. Navy, and her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws from the University at Buffalo Law School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deeply engaged in the Buffalo community, Rodriguez-Dabney serves on several boards including Intersect Buffalo, The Park School of Buffalo Board of Trustees, Canisius University Board of Trustees and Shea&#8217;s Buffalo Board of Directors. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Buffalo Alumnae Chapter and The Links, Incorporated (Buffalo Chapter).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press release BATAVIA, N.Y. \u2014 Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTBC) today announced the election of Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney as Chair of its Board of Directors, marking a historic milestone for the organization and for New York State. Rodriguez-Dabney becomes the first woman to serve as Board Chair of WROTBC in \u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"continue-reading-button\"> <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/genesee-county-wny-crystal-rodriguez-dabney-elected-chair-of-western-regional-off-track-betting-corporation-board-of-directors\/\">Continue reading<i class=\"crycon-right-dir\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23],"tags":[376,5832],"class_list":["post-75589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-genesee-county","tag-batavia-downs","tag-board-chair-crystal-rodriguez-dabney"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-jFb","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":81721,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/23\/genesee-county-major-expansion-plans-revealed-along-with-continued-growth-announced-at-the-wrotbc-legislative-night-2026-at-batavia-downs\/","url_meta":{"origin":75589,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Major expansion plans revealed along with continued growth announced at the WROTBC Legislative Night 2026 at Batavia Downs","author":"aka","date":"September 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/o1GLZFnNW6I Video of the 2026 WROTB Legislative Night-September 23, 2026 https:\/\/youtu.be\/qtL_IEsP3XU Video interview with Thurman Thomas Thurman Thomas signs a three-year contract to continue to be an ambassador for Batavia Downs on Wednesday-pictured with board representatives from each of the 17 member counties, seated with Thurman Thomas is WROTB President\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Genesee County&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260923_171019.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260923_171019.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260923_171019.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260923_171019.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/20260923_171019.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":82494,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/09\/29\/wny-wrotbc-board-advances-recommended-branch-consolidation-plan-six-branches-to-close\/","url_meta":{"origin":75589,"position":1},"title":"WNY\/WROTBC Board advances recommended Branch Consolidation Plan, six branches to close","author":"aka","date":"September 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation Board of Directors has indicated its intent to move forward with a recommended plan (\u201cPlan\u201d) to consolidate its branch operations from eight locations to two, following a multi-year review of the branch network and its long-term financial sustainability. The Board is expected\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WNY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WNY","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/wny\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":75596,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/batavia-batavia-downs-donates-concert-tickets-to-genesee-county-veterans\/","url_meta":{"origin":75589,"position":2},"title":"BATAVIA\/Batavia Downs donates concert tickets to Genesee County Veterans","author":"aka","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Byron Brown, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel with new Board Chair Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney presented complimentary ticket to William Joyce, Director of the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency with WROTBC Board members on Thursday afternoon. Press release Tickets are for each of Batavia\u2019s 7 Summer Concert Series\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":77822,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/29\/genesee-county-western-regional-off-track-betting-corporation-announces-record-second-quarter-distribution\/","url_meta":{"origin":75589,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation announces record second quarter distribution","author":"aka","date":"July 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release BATAVIA, N.Y. \u2014 Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTBC) today announced it will distribute $3,725,429 to its 17 member municipalities for the second quarter of 2026, making the largest second quarter distribution in the Corporation's history. \"The record distribution reflects the continued strong performance of Batavia Downs Gaming\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":37575,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/11\/14\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-presents-make-a-wish-foundation-with-a-check-from-summer-concert-series-chair-rentals\/","url_meta":{"origin":75589,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs presents Make-A-Wish Foundation with a check from Summer Concert Series chair rentals","author":"aka","date":"November 14, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"(Provided photo-Henry Wojtaszek, President\/CEO Batavia Downs Gaming\/ WROTBCBen Marchione, MBA\/CFRE, Regional Director, Western New York, Make-A-Wish Western New YorkJodie Antoniadis, Development Manager, Make-A-Wish Western New York) Press release Contribution a Result of Successful Chair Rental Booth at Summer Concert Series BATAVIA \u2013Western Region Off Track Betting (WROTB) and Batavia Downs\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/11-14-SN-Makeawish-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C838&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/11-14-SN-Makeawish-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C838&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/11-14-SN-Makeawish-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C838&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/11-14-SN-Makeawish-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C838&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/11-14-SN-Makeawish-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C838&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":70665,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/12\/06\/genesee-county-wrotbc-batavia-downs-gaming-hotel-surpasses-movember-fundraising-goal-to-promote-mens-health-awareness\/","url_meta":{"origin":75589,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/WROTBC\/Batavia Downs Gaming &amp; Hotel surpasses Movember fundraising goal to promote Men\u2019s Health Awareness","author":"aka","date":"December 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release and provided photo Batavia, NY \u2014 Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTBC) and Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel are proud to announce the success of their 2025 Movember campaign. With an initial fundraising goal of $500, employees, board members, and community supporters rallied together and raised $1,250, surpassing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Genesee County&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1.jpg?fit=1200%2C748&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1.jpg?fit=1200%2C748&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1.jpg?fit=1200%2C748&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1.jpg?fit=1200%2C748&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1.jpg?fit=1200%2C748&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/snapshot_001-15.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75589"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75595,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75589\/revisions\/75595"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}