On the Move
Departments
On the Move
Who’s going where and doing what in the gaming industry
AC COIN & SLOT
Atlantic City, N.J.-based AC Coin & Slot has hired a new tier of regional managers as part of the company’s plan to strengthen customer service and support for its growing line of proprietary slot machines: Trent Looney will be responsible for the company’s corporate and southern operations and will be based in Las Vegas. Looney is an experienced sales and casino industry professional with an 18-year track record of sales success. Prior to joining AC Coin & Slot, he worked as director of corporate account sales for Progressive Gaming. Todd Mick will be responsible for northeast operations and will be based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Pleasantville, N.J. Mick boasts more than 17 years of experience in sales management in the automotive industry, working as general sales manager for Chevrolet Inc. in Bridgeton, N.J. before joining AC Coin & Slot. John Molinaro will be responsible for tribal, Midwest and British Columbian operations and will be stationed in Las Vegas. He most recently held the position of director of technical operations for Cyberview Technology, and has served stints as director of slot operations at MGM Mirage and working as an independent consultant for IGT/Navegante Group.
AVENDRA
Tim Clarke has been named vice president of strategic markets for the Rockville, Md.-based procurement services company. In this role, he will be charged with overseeing Avendra’s growth into recently expanded targeted market segments including casinos, cruise lines, colleges and universities, and other specific hospitality segments. Clarke previously served as senior director of customer strategy for Siebel Systems.
CASHCODE
Sim Bielak has been named vice president of sales and business development for the Toronto, Canada-based company. In this role, he will lead the team that is responsible for growing sales and customer satisfaction into the gaming vertical, which is CashCode’s main market. Bielak joined CashCode in 1999 as Canadian sales manager, and progressed through several sales leadership roles, including his most recent role as vice president of sales and marketing, where he oversaw CashCode’s continuous sales growth.
HARRAH’S ENTERTAINMENT
Donna Barcelona has been promoted to director of marketing for Harrah’s Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel & Spa. She joined Harrah’s in 2002 and worked in several departments. In 2005, she was promoted to director of marketing for Grand Casino Gulfport and following Hurricane Katrina, she was dual director of marketing for Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. In 2006 she was promoted to dual property director of special events, entertainment and Total Rewards for both Harrah’s New Orleans and Grand Biloxi.
LuAnn Pappas has been named vice president of marketing at Harrah’s Grand Biloxi Casino, Hotel & Spa. She comes to the property from Atlantic City where she was regional vice president of VIP marketing for Harrah’s. She began her career with Harrah’s Entertainment in 1985 and has worked as vice president of casino marketing for Harrah’s and Showboat in Atlantic City; Eastern division vice president of casino marketing; and vice president of casino marketing and hotel operations. She also worked with the integration team on the merger of Harrah’s and Caesars before returning to Atlantic City in her previous role.
MGM GRAND AT FOXWOODS
Annette Bennitz has been appointed director of sales for Foxwoods Resort Casino and the soon-to-open MGM Grand at Foxwoods. In this role, Bennitz will oversee the direct sales efforts of Foxwoods’ three existing hotel properties as well as the pre-opening sales for the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, scheduled to debut in spring 2008. With nearly 15 years of hospitality management experience, Bennitz brings a successful history of pro-active strategies and superior customer service approaches to her new role. Most recently, she held the position of director of sales, marketing and business development for ME Productions, an event production and destination management company based in Florida.
Gillian Murphy has been appointed to the position of senior vice president and general manager of the MGM Grand at Foxwoods resort slated to open in May 2008. In this role, Murphy will work closely with the property’s executive team to organize resources to serve customers and ensure excellence in execution by working with the most talented employees of the new property. With more than 20 years of experience in the hotel and gaming industries, Murphy brings a successful track record of operational strength and leadership. Most recently, she held the position of vice president and assistant general manager of the Ameristar property Black Hawk, Colo.
Kevin O’Sullivan has been named senior vice president of gaming at both the Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods. O’Sullivan brings with him more than 24 years of experience in the casino industry. In his new role, he will oversee the day-to-day operations of all aspects related to gaming in both casinos. Prior to joining Foxwoods, O’Sullivan held various executive positions at some of Mississippi’s top gaming facilities gaining extensive knowledge in casino operations, marketing and promotions. Most recently, he was senior vice president of operations at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Miss.
PENN NATIONAL GAMING
Tina Falgout has been promoted to director of food and beverage for the company’s Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis in Bay St. Louis, Miss. In her new role, Falgout is responsible for overseeing all food and beverage operations including Shakers Martini Bar, the poker bar, casino service bars, banquets, Tuscany Steaks and Seafood, The Epic Buffet, Jackpot Java, the Bridges Clubhouse Grill and Hollywood Hotel room services. She joined Hollywood Casino, formerly Casino Magic, in 2004, as food and beverage operations manager. Additionally, the company named Robert Sinopoli as manager of the property’s Tuscany Steaks and Seafood restaurant.
