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news story, showing four confi dent looking women standing on Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, appeared across numerous media outlets last month. So, who were these high-power ladies? They are the top executives of four of Atlantic
City’s nine casino properties, responsible for locations worth hundreds of millions of dollars. I profi led one of these women, Ocean Resort CEO Terry Glebocki, for my “modern CEOs” feature last winter for Casino International. Throughout its 42-year history, Atlantic City has led the
way in producing leaders who successfully navigated the rigors of New Jersey regulations and enforcement. Slightly changing the popular “New York, New York” lyrics, “If they could make it there, they could make it anywhere.” So many did just that. Think of people like Jim Allen,
current Hard Rock International chairman/ CEO of Seminole Gaming in Florida, Tony Rodio, former president/ CEO of Tropicana Entertainment and current Caesars Entertainment CEO in Las Vegas, and Virginia McDowell, former CEO of Missouri-based Isle of Capri casinos. When McDowell retired in April 2016, she was the only female CEO of a major casino operation. She had worked for two decades in Atlantic City, including a two-year stint as Trump Entertainment Resorts’ executive vice president and chief information officer. After leaving Atlantic City, McDowell also held multiple top positions in the Midwest. However, this is an industry fi rst in Atlantic City. All nine casino properties are within three miles of one another, so everyone feels the infl uences and impacts of all business decisions. These women are rebuilding the customer base and
alternatives to in-person gaming. The stars are beginning to align themselves, thanks to creative marketing and the
10 OCTOBER 2020
L-R: Tropicana Senior VP/GM Jacqueline Grace / Ocean CEO Terry Glebocki / Bally’s GM Karie Hall / Borgata COO Melonie Johnson
“Leadership means something”: Sharon Harris looks up to the top of the tree
resumption of sports. In August, New Jersey gamblers set a nationwide single-month sports betting record of $668 million. Nevada held the previous record in November 2018 with $614 million. Internet gaming has also shown huge successes. These four accomplished executives are thrilled that so
many more women are in top positions and anticipate greater growth over the next decade. Tropicana Senior VP/GM Jacqueline Grace rejects talk of inherent or systemic “sexism” in hiring. As a woman of color,
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