NEWS
Jeff Cannizzo
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 2:07 PM
JEFF CANNIZZO
New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.
Despite all of the turmoil surrounding the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries in New York, Jeff Cannizzo believes that hope is right around the corner.
“Our industry’s fate rests solely in our own hands,” said Cannizzo, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. “Whether we create change or continue down a disorganized, dislocated path is our own choice. To reform we must consolidate and collaborate on a realistic scale, both jurisdictionally and organizationally. Only then will we be able to turn the corner and open up a new chapter.”
Cannizzo, 31, grew up around the Finger Lakes region of New York state and is a third-generation horseman. He worked with horses at the racetrack and on farms in western and central New York as a child.
With a father who trains at Finger Lakes racetrack and Tampa Bay Downs and a brother that is an assistant trainer for Bruce Levine, Cannizzo has been exposed to the industry enough to believe that positive change is possible, even in a situation as chaotic and volatile as that in New York.
“There certainly is an interest in our industry and I believe a vast amount of untapped investors, customers, and fans who’d love to take part in this game,” he said. “In order to bring them in, we need to rebuild our own house.”
“Having been born into this industry, I am scared to death by the thought that I won’t be able to pass it along to my children. It’s an industry based on experiences. The sight, touch, and smell of horse racing needs to be remodeled, repackaged, and reintroduced to the public.”
Date of birth: January 24, 1979
Birthplace: Auburn, New York
Residence: Saratoga Springs, New York
Title: Executive director
Company: New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.
Education: Master of Business Administration in technology management, University of Phoenix; Bachelor of Science in business administration, Le Moyne College
Family: Engaged
Career: Also has worked in the New York office of Daily Racing Form and for Micro¬soft Corp., Dell Inc., and Lockheed Martin Corp.
Favorite horse: Easy Goer
What book are you currently reading? McKinney’s Consolidated Laws of New York. Book 47A: Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering, and Breeding Law for New York
Last movie you saw at the theater: Robin Hood
What’s on your iPod? Kings of Leon, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones
Who had the most influence on your life? “I was blessed at a young age to be fearless. I owe that to an unnamed bully in elementary school.”
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READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Mal, Ghent, NY on June 25, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Jeff, Congratulations and thanks for your tireless efforts to protect the interests of all NY breeders. Your comment or consolidation and collaboration was right on.
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Posted by: Annette, Hyde Park, NY on June 25, 2010 at 04:14 PM
Congratulations Jeff, what an honor, not to mention good company to be in. You've done great things for our organization and I for one am thankful for your hard work. "clap clap"new
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Posted by: John , Manhattan, NY on June 25, 2010 at 08:05 AM
Thank God for that bully, NY Racing needs a leader!
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Posted by: Joe, Saratoga Springs, NY on June 24, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Congratulations Jeff! So well deserved and you've proved yourself to many in NY with all that you do. Keep up the good work and continued success, the industry needs people like you to move forward.
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