NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson
New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) today announced that Executive Director Najja Thompson will be appointed, as the NYTB’s representative, to the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) Board of Directors and the New York Breeding and Development Fund Board of Directors made effective at a December 18 meeting of the Board.
Thompson’s appointment fills the vacancies created with the resignation of former Executive Director Jeffrey Cannizzo, who will join NYRA on Jan. 1 as Senior Director of Government Affairs.
“I feel very fortunate to represent the interests of breeders in New York with this opportunity,” said Thompson. “The state of New York plays an integral part as a leader in our industry, and I’m honored to play a direct role in continuing to better our sport as a member of both the NYRA and the New York Breeding and Development Fund Board of Directors.”
Thompson, a graduate of Florida State University and Vice-President of the Turf Publicists of America, Inc., has over nine years of experience in the New York horse racing industry. A former employee of the New York Racing Association, Inc. prior to joining the NYTB on December 14. He worked in various roles in the marketing department, communications office, and most recently in the human resources department at NYRA.
“The NYTB Board of Directors is pleased to have Najja represent us on both the NYRA and New York State Development and Breeding Fund Boards,” said Thomas Gallo, President of the NYTB who made the motions to appoint him. “With his background, experience, and expertise he will be able to be an innovative force in synergizing the accomplished members of all boards to forward the interests of breeding and racing in New York. I am confident he will usher us into a new era of strength through unity in building a bigger and better Thoroughbred Horse industry in New York.”
