The Cordish Companies Announces Key Executive Appointments In Gaming Division

BALTIMORE, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cordish Companies today announced key executive appointments to its Gaming & Lodging division.

ROBERT J. NORTON, who has served as President & General Manager of Maryland Live! Casino, in Hanover, MD, through development and since its grand opening in June 2012, has been elevated to the new position of President of Cordish Global Gaming Group, the company's international gaming division. Mr. Norton will maintain his duties as President of Maryland Live! DOUGLAS SHIPLEY has been named Executive Vice President & General Manager of Maryland Live! Casino. Both appointments are effective immediately.

"We have been incredibly fortunate as a company to have a leader as skilled as Rob and we are pleased to place him in a role where he can impact the growth of our gaming ventures at Maryland Live! and outside the state," said David Cordish, Chairman of The Cordish Companies. "At the same time, to add a person of Doug's ability to the Maryland Live! team is a terrific coup for the property."

The announcements come as The Cordish Companies prepares for the impending growth and expansion of the Live! Casino brand, including the arrival of a new hotel and event center at Maryland Live! Casino; as well as the development of the new Live! Hotel & Casino in Philadelphia, PA. Plans for both projects are well underway and will be officially announced in the near future.

ROBERT J. NORTON is a veteran gaming executive with extensive knowledge of the industry and more than 20 years of hands-on operational experience. In his new capacity, he will continue to work closely with the executive teams at both Maryland Live! and Live! Hotel & Casino in Philadelphia, as well as working with The Cordish Companies on new opportunities to expand the Live! Casino brand into other markets, domestic and abroad. Mr. Norton is recognized for driving multi-million dollar projects forward from inception to opening and on to profitability. Prior to Maryland Live! Casino, he held top executive positions with the MTR Gaming Group and Isle of Capri Casinos, where he was responsible for the development, expansion, and operations of dozens of casino resorts in multiple gaming jurisdictions across the country.

As Executive Vice President & General Manager of Maryland Live! Casino, DOUGLAS SHIPLEY will assume oversight of the day-to-day management and operations of the property. Mr. Shipley most recently served as President/CEO of Margaritaville Casino in Biloxi. He brings more than 30 years of extensive and diverse hands-on management experience in the casino industry, including corporate positions for Fortune 500 gaming companies, to the development and management of domestic tribal gaming, and overseeing international gaming operations in the Bahamas and Latin America. Mr. Shipley has actively participated in the development, day-to-day management and rapid growth of large resort gaming organizations in every major US gaming jurisdiction. In addition to Margaritaville, he has held senior executive and management positions at Bally's Park Place, Caesars Nevada, Grand Casinos Inc., Ameristar Casinos Inc., Cascade Entertainment LLC, and Isle of Capri Inc.

"As the company continues to experience exponential growth, it is our intention to place all necessary focus and attention on the future projects at hand; while continuing to deliver the same level of excellence and customer service our guests have come to expect at Maryland Live! Casino," said Joe Weinberg, CEO and Managing Partner, The Cordish Companies Gaming Division. "These appointments complement and strengthen our corporate gaming team and position us to maximize results at our existing operations, while pursuing development and management opportunities in other gaming jurisdictions."

About Cordish
The Cordish Companies' origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Real Estate Development, Gaming & Lodging and Entertainment Management. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are The Cordish Companies' prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore's world famous Inner Harbor; Philadelphia, PA; Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. In addition, The Cordish Companies has developed and operates multiple highly acclaimed entertainment destinations throughout the United States which welcome over 50 million visitors per year and are the most visited destinations in their respective regions. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family's core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. www.cordish.com

About Maryland Live! Casino
Maryland Live! Casino is conveniently located at the Arundel Mills Mall, halfway between Baltimore and Washington, directly off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway at Arundel Mills Blvd. and Route 100 in Hanover, MD (Anne Arundel County), with easy access off I-95 at Route 100. Open 24/7, the $500+ million Maryland Live! Casino is one of the largest commercial casinos in the country with more than 200 live action table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Pai Gow, and a Poker Room; approximately 4,000 of the latest slot machines; and two High Limit rooms. A variety of irresistible dining options include Bobby's Burger Palace, from celebrated chef Bobby Flay; The Cheesecake Factory®; Phillips® Seafood; the Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse The Prime Rib®; the multi-station Live! Buffet; Noodles, featuring traditional Ramen noodles, banh mi sandwiches and pho soups; Luk Fu, serving authentic South East Asian cuisine; and Morty's Delicatessen, a traditional New York-style deli. A sizzling nightlife, including live entertainment at Rams Head Center Stage and the unique, interactive R Bar, completes the world-class gaming and entertainment experience. Other first-class amenities include the Shop Live! retail store; a bus lounge, and a secure covered 5,000-space parking garage with valet service, free self-parking and direct elevator access to the casino floor. Maryland Live! Casino is owned and operated by an affiliate of The Cordish Companies.

Call 855-5MD-LIVE (855-563-5483); or visit www.marylandlivecasino.com or www.myliveonlinecasino.com Follow Maryland Live! Casino on Facebook and Twitter.

For employment opportunities, visit www.jobsatmarylandlivecasino.com.

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SOURCE The Cordish Companies

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