Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has been offered the position as the next president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting (OTB).
The announcement was made Thursday following a special meeting that discussed and reviewed two candidates — one of them Brown.
Officials say Brown has not yet accepted the offer and negotiations are still ongoing.
Niagara County board member Elliott Winter says Brown has the right experience for this position.
“He oversees 3,000 employees with a budget of over $600 million,” said Winter. “He’s worked in the same capacity for the past 20 years. The city of Buffalo has seen a resurgence over the past 20 years, with the hotels, the economic development, the restaurants [and] the entertainment. We think he could be a valuable asset to our organization.”
A start date for Brown, if he accepts the offer, is yet to be determined, but officials say they want to get him in as soon as possible. There would be a vote the next meeting on a contract.
Current OTB President Henry Wojtaszek makes just shy of $300,000 a year. It is unknown if Brown would make a similar amount.
Brown would also need to obtain a state gaming license.
If Brown takes the job, he would have to resign as mayor. According to the city charter, Common Council President Chris Scanlon would serve as acting mayor through the end of 2025.
Brown released a statement Thursday night, saying:
"The Western New York Off Track Betting Corporation Board of Directors voted unanimously today to offer me the position of President and CEO. I appreciate the vote of confidence in me and my record of success as Mayor of Buffalo.
At this point, a contract still needs to be negotiated before the position is accepted. I look forward to meeting with the Chairman of the Board to start the process toward final approval of a contract.
In the meantime, I will continue to serve in my capacity as Mayor."
Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon, who would assume the role of mayor if Brown were to leave office, released a statement Friday, saying:
"The Western New York Off Track Betting Corporation Board of Directors voted unanimously today to offer me the position of President and CEO. I appreciate the vote of confidence in me and my record of success as Mayor of Buffalo.
“As Buffalo Common Council President, I am fully aware that the City Charter mandates that I assume all of the responsibilities and the role of acting mayor should a vacancy occur in the office due to the mayor’s ‘resignation, removal, death or permanent inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office’. I have spoken with Mayor Brown, who has informed me that he will consider the offer he received to be the next President of Western Region Off Track Betting. If he chooses to accept, I am prepared to lead and serve the residents of the City of Buffalo as their Mayor.”
