Casino Journal

ALLIANCE GAMING

Richard Irvine has been named senior vice president of sales for the Las Vegas-based gaming and equipment manufacturer. He previously served as vice president of sales for AC Coin & Slot. He also served as chief operating officer for both GameTech and Mikohn Gaming.

AMERISTAR CASINOS

Andy Fotis has been named food and beverage director for Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs. He will be responsible for all food and beverage operations at the property's four restaurants, five bars and catering and banquet departments. Fotis joins the property from Ameristar Kansas City, where he was assistant food and beverage director.

ARCHON CORP.

John M. Garner has been appointed chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer of the Las Vegas-based company. Prior to joining Archon, Garner was a certified public accountant. He has also served as CFO of both Mikohn Gaming and Paul-Son Gaming, and as controller and vice president of finance for Alliance Gaming.

CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT

Harry Hagerty has resigned his position of executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Las Vegas-based company. Caesars has appointed Senior Vice President and Controller Wesley D. Allison as interim CFO. Hagerty was in the last year of his three-year contract with the company, but said he decided to resign to afford CEO Wallace Barr the opportunity to fill the position with a CFO of his choosing.

CASINO LIGHTING AND DESIGN

Bill Gann has been named an account executive for the Las Vegas-based company. A longtime CLS employee, Gann formerly worked as a purchasing agent and service manager. Gann will be responsible for supervising exiting accounts and new business development.

FULL HOUSE RESORTS

At the Las Vegas-based company's recent shareholder meeting, J. Michael Paulson was named chairman of its board of directors. Lee Iacocca and William McComas were reelected to the board. The company also named Andre Hilliou chief executive officer, Greg Violette as chief financial officer and Barth F. Aaron as general counsel. Hilliou is a 25-year veteran of senior level positions in the gaming industry, most recently becoming involved in the successful turnaround of struggling gaming companies. Violette has helped open and operate a number of Indian casinos, as well as privately held casinos in Colorado. Aaron is a past deputy attorney general with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and has practiced law in Nevada, New Jersey and New York.

ISLE OF CAPRI CASINOS

Nancy Donovan has been selected to oversee all of the Biloxi, Miss.-based company's Iowa casinos. She will continue to serve as vice president and general manager of the company's Isle Bettendorf and Rhythm City-Davenport properties. She has been with Isle of Capri since 1997 and has more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality and casino industry, including executive positions with Lady Luck Gaming Corp., Hyatt Grand Victoria Casino & Resort, Rising Sun in Indiana and Jumer's Casino Rock Island in Illinois.

Robert Fiore has been named regional vice president of Isle's Colorado properties and general manager of the company's Black Hawk, Colo. properties. He most recently served as the company'sregional vice president of operations for the company's Southern Region. He has also served in executive roles for casinos in Louisiana, New Jersey and Nevada.

LITTLEFIELD CORP.

Henry A. "Hank" Anawaty has been named to the Austin, Texas-based bingo company's board of directors. He will serve as an independent director until the company's 2004 annual meeting. Anawaty has 14 years experience in the charitable bingo industry, including building and managing the state's most profitable bingo hall, El Bingo Grande (which Littlefield purchased in 2002).

Troy D. Zinn has been named chief financial officer. Zinn has 11 years experience as controller and CFO for gaming companies. He will be responsible for Littlefield's accounting, budgeting, planning, reporting, analysis, outside audit, treasury, shareholder services, MIS and insurance functions.

PALTRONICS INC.

Kristen McIntyre has been named marketing and business development coordinator for the Las Vegas-based company. McIntyre will work to expand advertising, marketing, and public relations efforts within the company through strategic planning and media relations. She will also oversee Paltronics' company licensing procedures in several gaming jurisdictions.

PAULSON GAMING

Justin Woodard has been named area sales manager for Western Canada, Northern Nevada, Washington State and Oregon. Prior to joining Paulson, Woodard worked in sales for an international group in the bio-tech industry where he marketed medical devices throughout the Southwestern United States. Paulson Gaming has now six area sales managers working with U.S.-based casinos.

SPORTS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL

Salvatore P. Semola has been elected to the Owosso, Mich.-based company's board of directors and appointed vice chairman. Semola is a 20-year gaming industry veteran, most recently having served as chief operating officer of the Greektown Casino in Detroit.