Brown appreciates 'vote of confidence' as he's offered top post at Western Region OTB

Batavia, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Board of Directors of Western Regional Off-Track Betting (OTB) voted unanimously in a special meeting on Thursday to offer Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown the role of president and CEO of the corporation.

The board's vote came after a five-hour executive session after the meeting began at 11 a.m. ET.

The board interviewed two candidates in person on Thursday, one being Mayor Brown and one other interviewee from "downstate", according to WROTB Niagara County board member Elliott Winter.

"If he does accept the terms, we would like to bring him in as soon as possible. He would still have to get his gaming license, and Henry [Wojtaszek] could get him up to speed on what's going on," said Winter in a brief interview with media following the meeting.

Winter also spoke to why the board extended the offer to Brown.

"He oversees 3,000 employees with a budget of over $600 million. 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, the entertainment and we think he could be a valuable asset to our organization," Winter noted.

If he accepts the position, Brown would succeed Henry Wojtaszek as the leader of Western Regional OTB, which oversees Batavia Downs racetrack and casino and off-track betting sites in several counties.

Wojtaszek has been with Western Regional OTB for the last 15 years, serving in his capacity as CEO since 2016. He is set to leave the corporation at the end of the year.

The board will vote on the terms of the deal after Brown and OTB reach an agreement.

Winter says negotiations will ensue between Brown and WROTB Board Chairman Dennis Bassett.

"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," said Mayor Brown in a statement Thursday evening.

"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."

When Brown resigns as Mayor of the City of Buffalo, a position he has served longer than anyone else in the history of the city, Buffalo Common Council President Christopher Scanlon would take over his mayor duties per the City Charter.

Mayor Brown's term as mayor was set to end at the end of December of 2025.

State Sen. Sean Ryan has issued the following statement following Thursday's announcement:

“Should he accept the offer, Byron Brown’s departure from the Mayor’s Office will be the beginning of a new era for the City of Buffalo. For the first time in nearly two decades, Buffalo will have the chance to address our many challenges with a clean slate and fresh eyes. It is my hope that he will commit to cleaning up the culture of corruption that has defined our local OTB for many years now. He can start by calling for the board to rescind the illegal golden parachutes approved earlier this year."