From casino floors to corporate boardrooms, leadership teams across the gaming industry are taking shape. SBC Americas tracks the latest appointments, promotions and departures in Hires and Higher-Ups.
Casino operations and game development lead this week’s edition, as Rick Goldstein takes on a broader portfolio at Boyd Gaming and David Bollesen steps in to oversee Bluberi’s U.S. studios. The latest moves also bring a new finance chief to Seneca Resorts & Casinos and a former Ameristar CEO to Galaxy Gaming’s board.
Boyd expands Goldstein’s oversight
Boyd Gaming promoted Goldstein to senior vice president of operations, giving the longtime executive responsibility for two additional properties while retaining his leadership role at Suncoast Hotel & Casino.
Goldstein will oversee operations at Aliante and Cannery and continue serving as Suncoast’s general manager. Boyd announced the promotion on LinkedIn.
He joined the company in 2016 as assistant general manager of Kansas Star Casino and has held several leadership positions during his decade with the operator. He became vice president and general manager of Suncoast in 2023 before moving into his most recent role as senior vice president and general manager.
The promotion expands his responsibilities from running an individual property to overseeing operations across three Boyd casinos.
Seneca appoints Howk CFO
Seneca Resorts & Casinos named Wade Howk CFO, adding an executive with leadership experience at Hard Rock International, PENN Entertainment, and Inspire Entertainment Resort.
Howk most recently served as COO at Inspire in South Korea, where he directed the integrated resort’s development and opening. He previously served as CFO at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati and held executive leadership positions at PENN.
At Seneca, he will oversee financial and operational accounting across the company and its properties, including budgeting, income audit, financial analysis, reporting, general accounting and purchasing.
His responsibilities also include monitoring liquidity, financial performance and the company’s capitalization structure, as well as advising the Seneca Gaming Corporation board on fiscal governance. He will oversee departmental business plans, budgets, and financial filings.
“Wade’s keen operational and strategic insight, deep industry experience and proven leadership make him an excellent choice for our new CFO, as we continue to meet the demands of a rapidly growing and changing gaming market,” Seneca President and CEO Kevin Nephew said.
Galaxy adds Boushy to board
Galaxy Gaming appointed John Boushy to its board of directors, effective Wednesday. He succeeds Meredith Brill, who stepped down after four years as a Class II director.
Boushy brings more than 45 years of experience across gaming, hospitality, technology and entertainment. He previously served as CEO, president and a director of Ameristar Casinos and spent more than two decades at Harrah’s Entertainment.
His Harrah’s positions included chief information officer, chief integration officer and senior leadership roles spanning operations, marketing, technology and development.
Through Boushy Consulting, he advised gaming operators and investors and served in executive management roles with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas‘s parent company. His experience also includes advising creditors during Caesars Entertainment Operating Company’s bankruptcy and serving on Caesars’ board after its emergence.
Boushy has also served since 2015 as co-founder and chairman of the parent company of ReelMetrics.
“John’s extensive executive leadership experience, coupled with his background in strategic planning, technology innovation, mergers and acquisitions, operations and corporate governance, will be invaluable as Galaxy continues to execute its long-term growth strategy,” Galaxy Chairman Mark Lipparelli said.
This fall, Evolution abandoned its plans to acquire Galaxy.
Bluberi brings in Bollesen to lead U.S. studios
Bluberi appointed Bollesen senior vice president of U.S. studios, putting the former Ainsworth Game Technology and IGT executive in charge of its development teams in Reno, Austin, Las Vegas and Atlanta.
Bollesen brings more than two decades of product development and studio leadership experience. He previously served as chief product officer at Ainsworth and a vice president at IGT.
His appointment follows Bluberi’s addition of three North American game development studios, including its first dedicated iGaming studio. Bollesen will oversee the U.S. teams while helping develop and mentor creative and product leaders.
“We’re excited to have someone of David’s caliber directly manage our rapidly growing U.S. studios, which have doubled to four almost overnight,” Bluberi Chief Product Officer Mike Brennan said. “David’s diverse studio experience, his authenticity and passion, as well as his 20+ years of leadership will help Bluberi master efficient production balanced with our guiding light of quality-first, player-centric games.”
Bollesen said the company’s investment in its people provides a foundation for its next stage of growth.
“I look forward to working with our studios to build on that momentum and deliver the next generation of content for our players and customers, he said.”
