Delaware North Announces Key Leadership Change

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Jun 23, 2016, 10:50 ET

BUFFALO, N.Y., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, today announced that Rajat Shah, executive vice president, external affairs, general counsel and secretary, has resigned to pursue other opportunities.

The announcement was made by Delaware North Co-CEOs Jerry Jacobs Jr. and Lou Jacobs.

"Both of us want to thank Rajat for all of his hard work and significant contributions to the business during his time at Delaware North," the co-CEOs said. "Rajat was a key part of the leadership team and played a pivotal role in a number of recent acquisitions, including Patina Restaurant Group, Ruby Seven Studios and GEM Gaming and Entertainment."

Shah expressed his gratitude to Delaware North and the Jacobs family for five exciting and productive years as part of Delaware North's leadership team. "This was a difficult decision," Shah said. "I will always cherish the many friendships I have and will continue to have with the Delaware North family."

In the interim, Thomas Popek, vice president and senior assistant general counsel, will manage the company's legal function.

Shah joined Delaware North in 2011 as vice president of corporate development and external affairs. Prior to that, he was CEO and president of SMS Advisory Services LLC in Bethesda, Md., where he provided strategic consulting services to a large number of major corporations. Shah was also senior vice president of corporate development and general counsel for Seneca Gaming Corp., based in Western New York, and counsel for Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C.

About Delaware North

Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 60,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than a half-billion guests annually. Delaware North has annual revenue of about $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. "Delaware North" is a reference to Delaware North Companies Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including location-specific operating entities. Learn more about Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, at www.delawarenorth.com.

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SOURCE Delaware North