The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced two promotions in its finance department.

Jelena Alonso was promoted to corporate controller and Ross Didia was promoted to corporate treasurer.

“We are very happy to announce these well deserved promotions,” said NYRA Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ellen McClain. “Jelena and Ross will continue to help support the organization's strategy, financial goals, and policies, consistent with best practices in financial management.”

As corporate controller, Alonso will serve as NYRA’s principal accounting officer and will assist the organization in meeting its accounting, reporting and compliance objectives. She will be responsible for insuring the integrity and accuracy of reported financial results and for effectively communicating all accounting policies and maintaining effective internal controls over financial reporting.

A Certified Public Accountant with more than 15 years of work experience, Alonso joined NYRA in June 2009. She is a 1992 graduate of C. W. Post College in Brookville, New York.

Promoted to corporate treasurer, Didia will be NYRA’s primary contact with bankers and manage all decisions related to investments and debt repayment. He will handle forecasting NYRA’s cash position, work closely with the mutuels department, and is responsible for all tax related matters including corporate income tax, sales tax, payroll and other withholdings.

Didia joined NYRA in March 2004 and has worked successfully in both the mutuels department and finance. He earned an MBA from Hofstra University in 1998 and a BBA in Finance from George Washington University in 1996.