With comings and goings commonplace across the industry, Boyd Gaming, IGT and Seminole Hard Rock are among those to have seen changes to their teams.
Boyd Gaming
Boyd Gaming has strengthened its management and structure with the promotion of four senior executives – Steve Thompson, Steve Schutte, Ted Bogich and Ward Shaw – effective immediately.
Thompson has been promoted to the role of Chief Administrative Officer after previously serving as Executive Vice President, Operations for Nevada. He has held several senior executive positions at Boyd since joining in 1983.
In his new role, he will be responsible for several key corporate functions, including Procurement, Administration, Design & Construction, Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Communications and Race and Sports.
Replacing Thompson as EVP, Operations for Nevada is Schutte, who was previously Senior Vice President, Operations for Las Vegas Locals properties. Schutte will also be responsible for Corporate Slot Operations, Food and Beverage, and Hotel Operations.
Schutte has been SVP, Operations since joining Boyd in 2014 and has 30 years of experience in the gaming industry.
Bogich has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, after previously serving as Executive Vice President, Operations for the Company’s Midwest & South region. He has been with Boyd since 2004 and will now manage the company’s 28 properties nationwide, whilst also retaining oversight of Corporate Marketing, and Slot Analytics and Strategy.
Succeeding Bogich is Shaw, who previously oversaw operations in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio as Senior Vice President, Operations. He has been with the company since 2018 and has 25 years of gaming industry experience.
Keith Smith, President and CEO of Boyd Gaming, commented: “These appointments strengthen our management structure and help position Boyd for today’s dynamic and fast-changing environment.
“Each of these four accomplished executives has played a critical role in our company’s success, and through their expanded roles we will further leverage their talent and expertise as we continue to drive long-term growth and efficiencies throughout our operations.”
Seminole Hard Rock
Seminole Hard Rock has appointed Elena Alvarez as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Partnerships for Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International.
In this new role, Alvarez will be responsible for the development of brand activations and integrating assets across Hotels, Cafes, Retail, and Casinos including overseeing the development of new revenue-generating platforms.
She will also continue to oversee the global marketing of the Cafe division of Hard Rock International.
Alvarez has been with Hard Rock since 2005 and has held key sales and marketing roles in the Europe, UK and US Hard Rock Cafe divisions. In 2019, following a move to the US, she was promoted to Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for the Cafe division.
“I couldn’t be more excited to take this next step in my journey with Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming with the support of our incredible leadership and marketing team,” said Alvarez.
“I’ve had the privilege of building my career with the iconic Hard Rock brand and I’m excited to continue in an era of excellence for Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming through impactful brand partnerships for our guests and fans.”
Jeff Hook, Executive Vice President of Marketing/CMO of Seminole Hard Rock Support Services, added: “Elena is an essential senior marketer with a proven track record elevating the Hard Rock brand for our Cafe division that includes spearheading F&B innovation and initiating and evolving the company’s successful multi-faceted partnership with Lionel Messi.
“With nearly 20 years of experience at Hard Rock alone, we have the utmost confidence that Elena will continue to elevate the Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming brands in new and exciting ways.”
Light & Wonder
Light & Wonder has appointed Oliver Chow as the company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Since August this year, Chow has served as Interim CFO for Light & Wonder. He has also held the role of Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance.
Commenting on his new role, Chow said: “It is a privilege to be appointed as Light & Wonder’s CFO. I’m excited to work with the Company’s leadership and Board to execute on our clear strategy and build on our strong financial profile. I am looking forward to supporting the organisation to further enable growth, margin expansion, and financial execution.”
Before joining Light & Wonder in October 2022, Chow worked for five years in senior-level roles, including as CFO, for Aristocrat. He has also held financial roles with Universal Pictures, Deluxe Entertainment Services and JPMorgan Chase.
Matt Wilson, CEO of Light & Wonder, added: “After a thorough search by the Board and the leadership team, I’m pleased to appoint Oliver as our CFO. Over the last four months, we’ve all been impressed with Oliver’s ability to seamlessly step into the role of Chief Financial Officer.
“With more than 15 years of entertainment and gaming leadership experience and deep financial expertise, Oliver was the candidate best positioned to lead us forward. His attention to detail, combined with his willingness to take on a wider variety of challenges within the organisation with ease, has made us resolute in our decision.”
IGT
After 29 years with IGT, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer Tim Rishton has announced will retire at the end of 2024.
From January 1 next year, David Morgan will succeed Rishton as SVP and Chief Accounting Officer, with Rishton supporting a leadership transition until the date of his retirement.
Max Chiara, Executive Vice President and CFO at IGT, stated: “On behalf of the leadership team at IGT, I congratulate Tim Rishton on an illustrious career. Tim’s leadership, strategic vision, industry knowledge, discipline and integrity will have a lasting influence on our organisation.
“Tim has been instrumental in helping drive some of the most significant milestones in the evolution of IGT and its legacy companies.”
Morgan joined IGT in 2017 and has served as IGT Vice President and Corporate Controller since 2020.
Chiara added: “Throughout his tenure at IGT, David Morgan has displayed a dedication to process improvement along with strong knowledge and expertise in technical accounting. He is a tremendous professional who will have a positive impact on our accounting and tax group, and our broader organisation as a member of the leadership team.”
