Columbus, OH — U.S. Trotting Association District 8 Director Bruce Tubin has resigned his position effective immediately, and the other district directors have elected Michael L. Torcello as his replacement.

Mike Torcello. Photo courtesy of Doran & Murphy Attorneys at Law.

Torcello will make his official Board debut at the annual meeting in Columbus, OH in March 2020 and will serve the remainder of Bruce’s term until the next scheduled District 8 meeting, at which time he will be able to stand for election if he so chooses.

“While we are excited to have Torcello join the Board, it is with regret that we accepted Bruce Tubin’s resignation,” said USTA Executive Vice President and CEO Mike Tanner.  “Bruce discontinued a growing law practice in 1976 to pursue his first love, harness racing, and was instrumental in advancing horsemen’s interests in New York and in bringing video lottery terminals to Empire State racetracks.

“Beyond that, he served actively and admirably as a USTA director since being elected in 1997, including his contribution of significant time and expertise to clean up and update the USTA Rule Book in 2016-2017 as part of an ad hoc committee first assigned by former USTA President, Phil Langley,” added Tanner.  “We thank Bruce for his service and wish him well as he transitions away from the Association.”

Torcello, a Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association board member, boasts a long involvement in our sport.  He was first exposed to harness racing through his uncle, Ralph Torcello, who owned Standardbreds in western New York.

Currently the owner of 15 horses and a USTA member since 1979, Torcello was a trainer from 1982 through 1998 before deciding to attend law school at SUNY-Buffalo.  Since graduating, Torcello has worked as an attorney at Doran & Murphy, PLLC in Buffalo, where he specializes in representing railroad workers.

He is a married father of two college-aged children.  His wife is an elementary school teacher in the Orchard Park, NY district.  She taught third grade for years and is now a math intervention specialist.  His son is attending Harvard Law School while his daughter is an undergraduate at SUNY-Geneseo.  Torcello’s cousin, also named Mike Torcello, is the track superintendent at Harrah’s Philadelphia.