New president approved at OTB; Betting corporation taps Vice President Signor to succeed retiring chief.(Capital Region)

Byline: CAROL DeMARE - Staff Writer

ALBANY - Capital OTB Vice President John Signor will take over the top job at the betting corporation next year when President Michael Connery retires.

The board of directors gave Signor a virtually unanimous vote at a meeting last week of the embattled betting corporation.

Over the past several months, Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. has been criticized for its check-cashing practices and special treatment of big bettors. Following a scathing report by the state Racing and Wagering Board, improvements were undertaken.

Capital OTB runs betting parlors in 16 counties and the city of Schenectady and all 17 municipalities are represented on the board.

After Connery, 65, announced his retirement, board members voted 12-0 with two abstaining for Signor to replace him. Two others were absent, and the St. Lawrence County member is a new appointee and has yet to be approved by the Racing and Wagering Board.

Signor, 43, of Niskayuna, a certified public accountant, was also OTB's chief financial officer. He takes over as president on Jan. 1.

An OTB employee for five years, he thanked board members for their support and Connery for his leadership. Signor said he wants to build on the progress the two have made, adding he will explore more ways to grow revenues and control spending. A priority is to get OTB's Internet wagering up and running, Signor said.

Board Chairman Marcel "Mickey" Webb of Franklin County said the board has been pleased with Connery and Signor. "John has worked hard for the corporation on behalf of the taxpayers and we are confident that he will continue to do so," Webb said. Signor spent seven years in Gov. George Pataki's administration - the budget division, Racing and Wagering Board as director of audit investigations and for four years as director of communications for the Health Department. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy High School and Siena College.

Carol DeMare can be reached at 454-5431 or by e-mail at cdemare@timesunion.com.

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