O'Rourke has served multiple roles at NYRA since joining the organization in '08nyra
NYRA has officially removed the interim tag from President & CEO DAVID O'ROURKE, and he said that he is "excited to tackle the challenges that lay ahead," according to David Grening of DAILY RACING FORM. O'Rourke replaces CHRIS KAY, who was "forced to resign" in January after the BOD was made aware that Kay had used NYRA employees to "do private work on the house he owns in Saratoga." O’Rourke, who has been with NYRA since '08, has been serving as President & CEO on an interim basis since Jan. 23. His roles with NYRA have included Dir of Financial Planning and VP/Corporate Development. In '13, O’Rourke was appointed VP & CRO. In that role, O’Rourke was "responsible for NYRA’s business development strategies." O’Rourke "played a key role in developing NYRA Bets" and getting NYRA’s races on "television through Fox Sports and MSG networks." The leadership change at NYRA comes at a "critical time for the company." In New York, redevelopment of Belmont Park is "on the horizon, with ground expected to be broken this summer on track property on a new hockey arena" for the Islanders (DRF.com, 3/26). O'Rourke said that he has "no plans of increasing the days of the race meet at Saratoga Race Course, something that is seemingly discussed every year" (TIMESUNION.com, 3/26).
