Casino Journal

Kimberly Holloway

August 1, 2008

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Who’s going where and doing what in the gaming industry

BALLY TECHNOLOGIES

Several executives were recently promoted to key posts with the Las Vegas-headquartered gaming manufacturer.

Gary Kapral, who has served as Bally’s vice president, human resources since 2005, was named senior vice president for human resources. Kapral will continue to be responsible for organizational development and implementation of all domestic and international human resources strategic-growth initiatives as well as facilities and other administrative activities.

Immediately prior to joining Bally Technologies, Kapral served as chief financial officer and vice president, human resources, for Microfield Group Inc., a Portland, Ore.-based public technology company.

Neil Davidson, who joined Bally in 2006 as vice president of corporate accounting, was promoted to chief accounting officer. Before joining Bally, from 2002 to 2006, he was the vice president of finance for Multimedia Games Inc., a gaming equipment and systems company. Davidson began his career with KPMG LLP, an audit, tax, and advisory firm, holding several positions during his tenure, the last of which was audit manager.

Mark Lowell was promoted to vice president, software development. He will continue to oversee the company’s Advanced Development Group based in Reno, Nev. This includes development of the company’s Networked Floor of the Future technologies as well as systems project management and engineering for Bally’s Reno and Las Vegas offices. Prior to joining Bally Technologies in 2006, Lowell was vice president of research and development for GameTech International.

Sridhar Laveti was promoted to vice president, client services. A Bally employee since 2006, Laveti has been responsible for systems customer support, professional and technical services, and East Coast client services. Prior to joining Bally, Laveti held various positions at Manhattan Associates, a supply-chain management company headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.

CANNERY CASINO RESORTS

Kimberly Holloway has been appointed to director of hotel operations for Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel. Holloway will also continue serving as director of hotel operations for Cannery Casino & Hotel. She joined Cannery Casino Resorts in 2005 as director of hotel operations for Cannery Casino & Hotel. Prior to joining Cannery Casino Resorts, Holloway served as general manager for Manor Suites/Sportsman Royal Manor in Las Vegas.

David Risdon has been appointed director of marketing for Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel. Risdon joined Cannery Casino Resorts in 2002 as marketing manager for Cannery Casino & Hotel. Prior to joining Cannery Casino Resorts, Risdon served as assistant director of marketing for Nevada Palace.

CHEROKEE NATION ENTERPRISES

Guy Wolcott has been named as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Cherokee Nation Enterprises’ gaming hospitality and entertainment businesses in northeastern Oklahoma. Wolcott comes to CNE with more than 18 years of hotel and gaming management experience with the last 10 years in senior financial roles. He has extensive experience opening major casino resort properties including the Venetian, Aladdin and, most recently, as chief financial officer for Cache Creek Casino Resort in northern California.

Mark Fulton has been promoted to senior vice president of gaming operations. Fulton joined the company in 2007 as vice president of gaming operations. Fulton’s responsibilities involve leading the casino, racing and retail operations of all CNE’s facilities. Fulton has more than 14 years of executive management experience in the casino, entertainment and hospitality industry. Previously, he worked at Resorts Casino and Hotel in Tunica, Miss.

Cherokee Nation Enterprises also named Shawn Slaton as senior vice president of business development and diversification. Slaton most recently helped CNE set record results during his tenure as chief financial officer. In his new role, Slaton is responsible for CNE’s real estate development, expansion into new gaming markets and diversification into other markets, including information technology and security and surveillance.

WHEELING ISLAND

James Simms has been promoted to president and general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, the largest operation of the company's nearly $800 million gaming and entertainment enterprise. Simms came to Delaware North in 2006 with more than a decade of experience in senior marketing positions with gaming properties in the United States and Canada, including the Majestic Star in northern Indiana, Ameristar in northern Nevada, Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas, and Casino Rama near Toronto, Canada.

MGM MIRAGE HOSPITALITY

MGM Mirage Hospitality, a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Mirage, has appointed Will Hay senior vice president of Asia-Pacific Development. MGM Mirage Hospitality, formed in May 2007, is principally focused on extending the company’s renowned hotel brands and developing new luxury hotel concepts for destinations in the United States and abroad.

Hay is responsible for directing all aspects of the MGMH’s Asian development activities, which include specifying target markets for the company’s various brands; identifying potential owners, developers and other partners in these markets; and structuring, negotiating and closing management, financing, operating and other agreements with selected partners.

Hay most recently served as managing director of China Property Group Limited in Hong Kong where he was responsible for sourcing and underwriting residential and hospitality projects in Chinese cities.

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