FARGO, ND--(Marketwire - May 24, 2010) - Casino Enterprise Management magazine, the leading gaming industry trade publication and training event producer, named the winners of its 2009 Great Women of Gaming Awards.
For the first year in the awards' history, the judging panel was unable to break a tie in one of the categories. Due to a deadlock decision, this year there are 11 winners rather than 10. Now in its fifth year, the awards are broken down into two categories: Proven Leaders and Rising Stars.
To qualify as a Proven Leader, candidates must have worked in the gaming industry for a minimum of 10 years and have been in their current position for at least one year. They must also work for a gaming industry company and hold a position of director or higher, having demonstrated exceptional achievement in at least three of the following areas: 1) ability to go above and beyond job responsibilities; 2) commitment to company and co-workers; 3) contributions to the industry as a whole; 4) commitment to mentoring; and 5) strong overall life balance.
The 2009 Great Women of Gaming Proven Leader Award Winners are:
- Patty Coaley, Director of Organizational Development, Excalibur Hotel & Casino
- Linda Devine, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Barona Resort & Casino
- Tina Kilmer, Vice President of Product Compliance, Bally Technologies
- Toni Martinez, Vice President of Western Region Sales, International Game Technology
- Lorraine Nevins, Director of Slot Operations, Mohegan Sun Casino
- Debra Nutton, Senior Vice President, Casino Operations, MGM Grand
To qualify as a Rising Star, candidates must have worked in the gaming industry for a minimum of three years and have been in their current position for at least one year. They must also work for a gaming industry company and hold a position of manager or higher, having demonstrated exceptional achievement in at least three of the following areas: 1) ability to go above and beyond job responsibilities; 2) commitment to company and co-workers; 3) contributions to the industry as a whole; 4) commitment to mentoring; and 5) strong overall life balance.
The 2009 Great Women of Gaming Rising Star Award Winners are:
- Madilenia B. Chavarillo, Executive Director of Gaming Operations, Sky Ute Casino Resort
- Patti S. Hart, Chief Executive Officer, President, International Game Technology
- Elaine A. Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer, President, Incredible Technologies
- Melonie D. Johnson, Vice President of Finance, Harrah's Entertainment
- Denyse S. Moore, Senior Director, Client Services West, Bally Technologies
The judging committee was made up of former Great Women of Gaming award winners and other industry leaders. They included: Cath Burns, VP of Asia Pacific/Managing Director, Bally Technologies; Dona Cassese, Creative Director of Global Marketing Communications and Operations, Aristocrat Americas; Tracey Chernay, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, TransAct Technologies; Christie Eickelman, Director of Worldwide Marketing, Gaming Laboratories International; Libby Francisco, COO, Tohono O'odam Nation; Sheila Morago, Executive Director, Arizona Indian Gaming Commission; Jennifer Roberts, Attorney At Law-Associate Attorney, Lionel Sawyer & Collins; Linda Roe, VP of Business Development, Thalden Boyd Emery Architects; Kate Spilde, Managing Director, Center for California Native Nations; and Claudia Winkler, President, GHI Solutions.
"This year's candidates were an accomplished group of women from all facets of the gaming industry," said Peter Mead, publisher of Casino Enterprise Management magazine. "Our judges had a difficult decision choosing the winners, and I believe they did an excellent job selecting the top 11. But, in the end, each woman nominated is a Great Women of Gaming to our industry. It's been a pleasure of ours to continue to honor these women as they continue to strive for personal and professional excellence."
An in-depth article featuring profiles of this year's 11 award winners will be featured in the July issue of Casino Enterprise Management. The winners will also receive a prestigious crystal Great Women of Gaming Award.
For more information about the Great Women of Gaming Awards, visit www.greatwomenofgaming.com. For more information about Casino Enterprise Management, visit www.casinoenterprisemanagement.com.
Photos available upon request
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Amanda Huggett
Managing Editor
Casino Enterprise Management
(701) 293-7775