Yonkers, NY – On Saturday, Dec. 6, the SOA of NY held their Board of Trustees and Directors meetings.
At the Trustees meeting, Neuberger Berman, our financial investment company provided an update on our investments. In addition, the Trustees discussed our strong financial position and provided an update to our Welfare Plans (medical and dental).
At the Board of Directors meeting, the Directors discussed numerous items.
Some of the items discussed were the election results (see below), the ongoing promotional activities including the SOA’s 10% Bonus Award promotion regarding Empire City Bets and the activities of New Yorkers for Harness Racing, the statewide organization dedicated to promoting harness racing by highlighting the important economic benefits it produces for the State’s agricultural sector, 236 race dates in 2026, opening night Jan. 19, 2026, increase in scholarship winners from three to four and increase in scholarship awards from $18,000 to $23,000.
The following, all incumbent directors, were re-elected for 2026 without opposition:
Joseph A. Faraldo (Owner category)
Chris Wittstruck (Owner category)
Scott Didomenico (Driver/Trainer category)
Andrew Harris (Driver/Trainer category)
Ray Schnittker (Driver/Trainer category)
The following, all incumbent officers, were re- elected for 2026 without opposition:
Joseph A. Faraldo, President
Peter Venaglia, 1st Vice President
Irv Atherton, 2nd Vice President and Treasurer
Chris Wittstruck, 3rd Vice President
Peter Younger, Secretary
The following, all incumbent Executive Committee, were re-elected for 2026 without opposition:
Joseph A. Faraldo
Peter Venaglia
Irv Atherton
Jordan Stratton
The following, all incumbent Trustees of the Retirement and Welfare Funds were re-elected for 2026 without opposition:
Peter Venaglia (Chairman)
Joseph A. Faraldo
Irv Atherton
Chris Wittstruck
Peter Younger
Jordan Stratton (1st Alternate)
Ray Schnittker (2nd Alternate)
Tom Ceraso (3rd Alternate)
The SOA of NY thanks everyone for their support and wishes everyone a healthy and happy holiday season.