Photo Courtesy of
Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Office
George Russo
By Forum Staff
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie this week appointed attorney and South Queens community leader George Russo to the New York Racing Association Board of Directors, according to Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, who recommended Russo for the post.
The NYRA Board oversees thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks: Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
“I can’t imagine a better person to represent our area on the NYRA Board than George Russo,” Pheffer Amato said. “I’ve been privileged to know and work with him in making our community better for everyone. I’m very excited for him to bring his caring, smarts and problem-solving abilities to bear on the many issues impacting the Aqueduct. I’d like to extend my thanks to Speaker Heastie for his vision for true community representation. I know that George will represent our state and our community well.”
George Russo is the brother of Howard Beach restaurateur Frank Russo. He graduated from St. John’s University in 1979, and then went on to obtain his law degree from New York Law School in 1982. Russo served as assistant district attorney for Queens from 1983 to 1985. Since then, he has been in private practice. From 1983 through 1989, he served on the Community School Board for District 27, including a stint as president. Russo also has served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Queens since 2001, including as president from 2007 to 2014. He helped found and has served as co-president of the Intra-Community Civic Association since 2010.
“This is a true honor,” Russo said. “The Aqueduct is a vital piece of Queens’ economy, just as Belmont is for Long Island and Saratoga Springs is for the Capital District. It’s not a simple operation, but it’s a community institution and it’s one for which we need real caring and oversight. There are many things to gain from a strong partnership between NYRA and our communities, and I’m proud to be one of 17 directors tasked with making that happen. I’d like to thank Stacey, Speaker Heastie and the Assembly for their confidence, and I’m excited to get started.”
