Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment Names Industry Veteran E. Brian Hansberry as New President

BUFFALO, N.Y., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After completing a global search, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment today announced that E. Brian Hansberry, a 30-year-veteran of the casino gaming industry, has been selected as its new president.

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Hansberry will replace William Bissett, who will assist with the executive transition in the role of chairman of the gaming division before retiring later this year. Bissett has led Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment to unprecedented growth since becoming president in 2007, including the 2011 addition of Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, Ill., construction of a new gaming and racing venue in Ohio and major expansions of several of its casino properties.

Hansberry comes to Delaware North with more than 30 years of senior-level leadership in the gaming industry, including president and CEO positions. He was recognized as one of the "Top 25 Executives to Watch" in 2009 by Global Gaming Business magazine, and his experience includes operations, strategic planning and capital development.

"Brian is a well-known and highly successful industry executive who has the experience, expertise and reputation to lead Delaware North's gaming and racing operations," said Charles E. Moran, Delaware North's president and chief operating officer. "We are looking forward to Brian continuing to grow and shape the gaming business in the years to come. In addition, I want to recognize the unparalleled growth and success Bill Bissett has brought to our gaming business. Bill has led the gaming division of Delaware North to record revenues. We look forward to him continuing as a key advisor to both Brian and the company."

As president of Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Hansberry will lead one of the most innovative gaming and racing organizations in the country – specializing in racing venues with added amenities, including video gaming machines, table games, full-service restaurants, retail shops and lodging.

In addition, to Jumer's, the company's top casino properties include Southland Park Gaming & Racing in West Memphis, Ark., and Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in West Virginia. Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment is also able to leverage the expertise and resources of Delaware North Companies, a global leader in hospitality and food service with more than $2.6 billion in annual revenue.

Most recently, Hansberry spent three years at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. – initially serving as general manager before accepting a promotion to chief operating officer (COO) after being credited with turning around the flagship property.

From 2007 to 2009, Hansberry served as president and CEO of Seneca Gaming Corp., overseeing Western New York casinos in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca. Among his accomplishments, Hansberry recruited a senior management team, established a strategic plan for the organization, and oversaw significant annual revenue.   

After joining Seneca Gaming as a table games manager in 2002, Hansberry later became COO and general manager to lead the three-year development of the $350 million casino in Salamanca. He then returned to Niagara Falls as general manager, only to be appointed president and CEO within five months.

Hansberry began his career as a dealer at Resorts International's casino in Atlantic City, N.J., but was soon promoted to the role of operations assistant casino manager. In all, Hansberry spent more than 17 years at Resorts International, helping implement one of the first computerized scheduling systems for casino operations and redesigning the gaming floor.

During his career, he has also served as vice president of casino operations at Players Island Casino in Lake Charles, La.; director of operations at Isle of Capri Casino in Lake Charles; and casino manager at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

A graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, Hansberry has held gaming licenses New York, New Jersey and Louisiana. A supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara Falls and the United Way, he also sits on the board of directors of the Buffalo Business Partnership, Seneca Diabetes Foundation, and the Rancho Mirage Chamber.

About Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment
Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment is one of the most innovative gaming and racing operators in the country, owning and/or operating several successful regional destination casinos and specializing in racing venues with added amenities such as table games, video gaming machines, poker rooms, full-service restaurants, retail shops and lodging. The company operates gaming and hospitality services at locations in New York, Illinois, Florida, Arizona, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The company is owned by Delaware North Companies, a global leader in hospitality and one of the largest privately held companies in the world. www.DelawareNorth.com.

About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the largest and most admired privately held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North Companies has revenue exceeding $2.6 billion annually and 55,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com. 

SOURCE Delaware North Companies