Aarskaug, Melissa
Melissa Aarskaug, VP of Business Development at Bulletproof, a GLI company brings over 10+ years of cybersecurity experience working in sales. Her outgoing personality and persistent hard work have helped her solidify trusting relationships with many clients including Gaming Operators, Suppliers, Regulators, Tribal Gaming & Enterprises, State Entities, and Associations, etc. Melissa is committed to maximizing her clients’ ROI through deep understanding the client’s challenges and identifying the right pathway to help organizations stay secured and compliant. Melissa is also very passionate about mentoring women pursuing opportunities in STEM; helping to bridge the gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in technology. If you want to learn more, please contact melissa.aarskaug@bulletproofsi.com or visit bulletproofsi.com/gaming.
Arpin, Rick
Rick Arpin is the Managing Partner of the Las Vegas office of KPMG. He is a seasoned finance and operations executive with deep gaming, hospitality, sports, and entertainment experience.
Benoit-Kurtz, Stephanie
Stephanie Benoit-Kurtz is a Las Vegas native that brings over 25 years of industry experience in Information Technology and Security Solutions and Consulting. Stephanie’s expertise spans multiple areas within compliance and a broad swath of technology and security disciplines, in addition to having held numerous leadership positions in these areas. Stephanie specializes in working with clients to educate, instruct, and inspire them to understand risks, security posture, and devise methods to protect data, infrastructure and realize value through the enablement of security technology, processes, and principles. In her spare time, Stephanie teaches graduate and undergraduate IT and Cybersecurity Courses as Lead Faculty for the University of Phoenix. She also serves on the board of ITWorks, an organization in Las Vegas, that assists disadvantaged youth gain IT skills that create opportunities and change lives. Stephanie holds several industry certifications and an MBA. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Information Technology, emphasizing Cybersecurity and Data Assurance.
Bouschor, Shannon
Shannon Bouschor has been with TribalNet since 2004 and is the current Executive Director. She is responsible for the direction and overall execution of TribalNet’s services including their; membership, conference, symposium, magazine and other divisions. Bouschor is the coordinator for TribalNet’s boards and committees and is responsible for the collaboration with strategic industry partners. She has been a contributing writer periodically for TribalNet’s media partner G&L over the last ten years. TribalNet is an industry resource for technology minded professionals at tribal organizations and enterprises along with the vendors providing products and solutions to this market. She welcomes the opportunity to make a connection with you via LinkedIn or email at: shannonb@tribalnetonline.com.
Carlson, Steve
Steve Carlson President of Rippe Associates a national foodservice design and consulting firm that provides comprehensive planning, operational assessment, and design services to a variety of foodservice operations.
Carrier, Ryan
Ryan Carrier is the Director of Casino Resorts for Agilysys, a leading provider of hospitality technology for more than 40 years, delivering digital guest engagement solutions for gaming enterprises around the world. He has served as a gaming-industry panel member and speaker in multiple engagements during his tenure at Agilysys.
Caruso, Michael
Michael Caruso has over 25 years of hospitality, gaming, and sports industry experience. He has led sales and consulting teams at several organizations to deliver enterprise-level solutions to CIO industry decision makers. Michael is an entrepreneur, thought leader and trusted advisor helping companies with IT strategies, digital transformation, and growth initiatives. Michael currently works at Info-Tech Research Group as managing partner for gaming, hospitality and sports business industry.
Day, Michael
Michael Day is the Founder and Executive Officer of TribalHub, which includes TribalNet, TribalFocus, TribalWise and TribalValue. Prior to his current position, Michael was the CIO and Director of Consulting Services for Cannery Casino Resorts, which grew from two to four gaming and hotel properties in Nevada and Pennsylvania during his tenure. Cannery also offered and delivered consulting services to tribal casinos.
DeMarinis, Don
Don DeMarinis is the Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Americas for Agilysys, a leading provider of hospitality technology for more than 40 years. Since joining the organization in January 2018, Don has been driving the organization’s growth and expansion across gaming and hospitality markets. Don previously served as Vice President, Sports & Entertainment, Foodservice Management globally at Oracle/MICROS, and as Vice President, Leisure & Entertainment at MICROS prior to its acquisition by Oracle. During his tenure, Don led sales growth of 30% per year for the Leisure & Entertainment group, focusing on food & beverage relationships within North American-based hotels, sports & entertainment, stadiums, casinos, cruises and amusement parks. With his extensive industry experience and a track record of delivering technology and services to global clients, Don is passionate about helping casino resorts enhance the guest experience through collaboration and the use of technology.
Essig, Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike has worked many years, maybe too many, in the hospitality industry. Starting in the hotel/timeshare space, he moved into technology working for a software vendor before switching sides to move into the casino realm. He has been part of a variety of property openings, including the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Sunset Station, and Green Valley Ranch, as well as expansions at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas (now Virgin Hotels) and Choctaw Casinos, acquisitions (Aquarius Hotel), and asset sales (Tropicana). He has worked for single property, riverboat, Native American, and multi-state/jurisdictional casino organizations. What hasn’t he done? Dr. Mike earned Bachelors (‘93) and Masters (’05) Degrees from UNLV, in Hospitality Management and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University (‘14). Possessing some kind of sick devotion to the Chicago Cubs, he is an expert with the IBM i server, heavy metal music, the aforementioned Northside of Chicago baseball club, and ethical challenges encountered by casino technology professionals. Go Cubs!
Farber, Benjamin
Benjamin Farber is President of Bristol Associates. With 20 years of experience recruiting key executive and management-level roles for all verticals, Ben has completed hundreds of placements around the world. And as one of the top consultants in the field, he is well-versed in all areas of executive search, including compensation analysis and contract negotiations. For employer or candidate inquiries, email Ben at bfarber@bristolassoc.com.
Fiel, Larry M.
Fueled by passion, dedication and proven in-depth experience in both full-cycle marketing and technology, Larry M. Fiel has leveraged over 40 years of practical knowledge to help raise the bar for excellence in a variety of verticals, including restaurant/hospitality, IT, education, and social services.
Filippe, John Cash
John Cash Filippe is an accomplished Casino Executive with over 20 years of Casino IT experience. He has worked nationally and internationally for several properties, and across many types of gaming from commercial, tribal, and riverboat entertainment facilities. He was a vendor with Bally Gaming and Systems in the late 90’s and worked with the large expansion of tribal gaming during that time. His unique style of IT management was featured in the book “The Tech Buzzkill: How Top IT Leaders Fend Off the Tech “Buzz” to Focus on the Business” by Gerry Robinson and Manish Sharma. He is currently the Director of IT for Rolling Hills Casino and Resort.
Fisher, Dr. A.J.
Dr. Fisher is the Chief Experience Officer, Founder, and Chairwoman of I.C. Intelligence, LLC. As a serial entrepreneur, AJ holds similar roles in additional companies she owns and operates. Before being named CXO in March 2021, AJ was I.C. Intelligence’s CEO, responsible for the oversight and management of the company’s national sales, operations, service, support and software development in the Gaming, Hospitality, and Technology sectors. Fisher is responsible for developing and implementing the company’s core value, customer-centricity. Dr. Fisher’s vision ensures stability and resilience, based on customer feedback, and needs, through consistent delivery of expectations and ‘being there’ when times are tough. Dr. Fisher served in the US Air Force, including hostile European tours. Several years later as the Founder & CEO of iVigilance, Inc., she earned State Department classification as a defense munitions developer, architecting next-generation solutions for the Defense and Homeland Security departments. Fisher’s spare time is spent advocating for women and veterans in the information technology, gaming, and hospitality verticals.
Gordon, Brian
Brian Gordon is a principal with the Nevada-based advisory services firm, Applied Analysis. Gordon has extensive gaming and leisure experience from an accounting, finance and operational perspective.
Guglielmetti, Matthew
Hamers, Heidi
With more than 28 years of casino marketing, Heidi began her casino career journey as market and research analyst for Grand Casinos in Minnesota where she led internal market research efforts including designing, deploying, analyzing, and reporting on guest intercept surveys, as well as leading qualitative research techniques. She is now the Senior Strategist at Strategic Casino Marketing Solutions and strategic partner of Visions, Inc, co-creating with Visions Inc. an online player communication, contact tool, empowering hosts to custom design, draft approved branded content and messaging, as well as semi-automate delivery through the mailbox and email channels. Heidi can be reached at: 218-429-2953.
Kline, Michèle
Through intentionality and dedication, Argentinean immigrant Michèle Kline, built a meaningful career in the Hospitality Industry. Today, a speaker, international bestselling author, training facilitator and process improvement expert. In 2010, she founded Kline Hospitality Consulting out of an unparalleled passion to enhance the quality of services across the hospitality industry. She has been successfully turning operations around by enhancing companies’ culture and improving their processes, with laser focus on leadership development. Her mission is to help leaders find their passions, ignite transformation, and inspire them to grow!
Linton, Michael
Markowitz, Tina
Tina Markowitz, Vice President of Global Digital Strategy, leads eCommerce strategic planning for Cendyn’s hospitality customers. Her team provides clients with holistic and innovative digital marketing campaigns that deliver business results. With over 13 years in integrated digital marketing leadership positions, Markowitz previously held positions at Zimmerman Advertising, with former roles at SapientNitro, Media Storm and Time, Inc.
McCormick, Dave
Dave McCormick is a seasoned marketing director and expert in marketing technology, with a background in software development and technical support. Originally from Michigan, Dave is based out of Las Vegas and has witnessed firsthand the transformation and growth of the city, adding a unique perspective to his professional and personal life. Having spent over a decade at eConnect within the gaming industry, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role. Outside of work, Dave is a dedicated family person, happily married with two children. Image credit – All images were uniquely generated using AI for this article. Generative prompts composed by Dave McCormick @ eConnect.tv. No copyright reserved, free to all.
McGuire, Dr. Kelly
Dr. Kelly McGuire is Managing Principal, Hospitality, ZS Associates, where she is responsible for helping global hospitality clients improve their commercial strategy and operations, and to find impactful uses for data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning to support their commercial strategy. She recently served as senior vice president, revenue management, distribution and direct marketing for MGM Resorts International, where she oversaw strategy and execution of revenue management, distribution and direct marketing for MGM’s Las Vegas resorts, and guided the development, system selection and implementation planning for MGM’s revenue management and distribution technology roadmap. Prior to joining MGM, Kelly served as vice president, advanced analytics at Wyndham Destination Networks where she led a team of scientists and developers that built custom analytical solutions for Wyndham’s vacation rental business, as well as the RCI exchange. Before joining Wyndham, she was executive director, hospitality and travel global practice at SAS, the world’s largest privately held software company, where she specialized in analytics solutions for hospitality and travel companies.
Nygren, Ann
Op/ed column submitted by Ann Nygren, President of Key Consulting Software. KCS is an IT consulting company focused on gaming and hospitality applications for clients ranging from Caesars, Eldorado Resorts, TI and Pechanga to Hard Rock, Pearl River & Casino Arizona, Resorts AC and more. Ann can be reached at ann@kcsoft.com.
Pollock, Michael
Michael Pollock is Managing Director of Spectrum Gaming Group. Pollock began analyzing the casino industry in 1978. Pollock oversees a broad portfolio of Spectrum services, including policy and impact studies for country, state and local governments and financial and market studies for private-sector clients. For inquiries, email Michael at pollock@spectrumgaming.com.
Reece, Eric
Eric Reece leads the creative efforts for Cendyn’s entire client portfolio. He is responsible for ensuring the highest standard of excellence for all creative work across the company’s digital skillsets. Additionally, Eric provides design and strategic guidance for website projects to both internal and external stakeholders. Before joining Cendyn, Eric was the Creative Director for NextGuest Innovations Lab. He was also the Creative Director for Sabre Hospitality Solutions for eight years. Eric has extensive experience leading creative teams working with a variety of national and international hotelier brands including Marriot, Loews, Mandarin Oriental, Fontainebleau, Four Seasons, and Waldorf Astoria. Eric follows the philosophy that good design is obvious, great design is transparent.
Shoemaker, Dr. Stowe
Dr. Stowe Shoemaker (Ph.D., Cornell University) served as Dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality from 2013 – 2023. While dean he held the Andrew and Peggy Dean’s Chair at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He is an acknowledged expert in pricing, revenue management, consumer behavior and customer loyalty programs. Dr. Shoemaker has served as an advisor to numerous hospitality service providers over the course of his career including British Airways, Accor, Hilton, Landry’s and Hyatt. He has helped game developers test market new casino games (both slots and table games), developed pricing strategies, developed programs to measure customer satisfaction, modeled the success and failure of marketing programs, and developed segmentation strategies based on consumer motivations in the gaming, lodging and restaurant industries.
Sholtes, Tucker
Tucker is a Decision Analytics Consultant at ZS Associates. Focused on the Hospitality industry, he leads process optimization and intelligent automation projects and works with clients to implement technologies including Robotic Process Automation, Natural Language Processing, and Customer Service Management tools. Prior to ZS Associates, he held Management Consulting roles at Accenture & PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He is a graduate of Clemson University with an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and has a Graduate Certificate in International Management & Global Leadership from Oxford University. He also earned a BS in Business Administration and BA in Public Relations from SUNY Oswego. Tucker is a member of HFTP and serves on the MBA Alumni Council at Clemson University and the Board of Directors for SUNY Oswego’s Alumni Association. In his free time, he’s often traveling, camping and geeking out over travel & hospitality loyalty programs. He lives in Charleston, SC with his fiancé, Hope.
Singh, Manjit
Manjit is a software product executive with expertise in cloud computing, mobile commerce, mobile gaming, casino gaming, messaging platforms and systems management. He has worked for Silicon Valley start-ups as well as large companies (including 10 years at Sun Microsystems Inc.). He is an expert in scaling software systems, running 24x7x365 e-commerce and gaming systems. Manjit is a published author and speaks on modern technology topics. In 2015, he was recognized as a top technology executive in Nevada. After 27 years in the industry, he retired from the corporate world in 2016 and now uses his experience to mentor startups, serving on several company’s advisory boards. In 2018, Manjit founded DruvStar to enable businesses to modernize their technology and infrastructure via AI based cybersecurity solutions.
Swanger, Christopher
Christopher Swanger is a technology veteran in the gaming industry and has worked both as a vendor and an operator. He is a Go-To-Market expert who helps companies establish relevance and value within the gaming and hospitality sector. As a proponent for innovation, Chris writes for Gaming & Leisure Magazine to help tell the stories that his technology partners and colleagues deem important to the betterment of the gaming industry. You can learn more about Chris at http://www.christopherswanger.com
Wankoff, Tami
If anyone has questions please reach out, I’d be happy to provide guidance. (tamiw@GETCHOICE.com). GETCHOICE!! has a division dedicated to sourcing connectivity services, handles contract negotiations, and offers contingency-based auditing services and Bill Pay management services. For more information, please contact Tami Wankoff, Telecommunications Advisory Director – tamiw@GETCHOICE.com or (973) 216-3208.
Wondolowski, John
John Wondolowski is the Chief Technology Officer for Solutions II. Solutions II is an Information Technology Services and Solutions Provider with an industry focus in Casino Gaming and Hospitality. John has been an Enterprise IT Executive for many years after earning degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, Haas School of Business, and California State University at Fullerton.