Decision Makers
Board of Directors
Brian R. Gamache, 50, serves as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He rejoined WMS in April 2000 as President and Chief Operating Officer, and was named President and Chief Executive Officer, along with his appointment to the Board of Directors, in June 2001. Under Mr. Gamache's leadership, WMS was named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States in 2007 by Fortune. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal ranked WMS in the Top 20 publicly-traded companies in compound annual return over the past decade.
Mr. Gamache brings a deep understanding of organizational development, financial management, brand management and sales and marketing to WMS. He has focused the company around product quality and integrity, ensuring WMS' unmatched reputation for innovative game development continues. Mr. Gamache encourages the kind of passion and innovation that are essential facets of WMS' heritage. His strong fiscal discipline has led to the stock recently rising to a company all-time high, as well as gaming revenues operating margins and gross profit margins all increasing year-over-year to new record performance. During Mr. Gamache's tenure, WMS' market capitalization has increased nearly 10-fold.
Prior to rejoining WMS, Mr. Gamache served as President of Wyndham International's Luxury and Resort Division where he managed the hotel organization's 31 luxury properties. Before Wyndham, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of WHG Resorts and Casinos, Inc., a subsidiary of WMS Industries. Mr. Gamache previously held various executive positions with Marriott Hotel Corporation and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Mr. Gamache also serves as a board member of the American Gaming Association and a Trustee of Lake Forest Academy. Mr. Gamache graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Business Administration.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Chairman and CEO |
Current |
| American Gaming Association |
President and CEO of Wms Gaming Inc. |
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Chairman of The Board and CEO |
Current |
| WMS Gaming Chicago |
President & CEO |
Current |
| American Gaming Association |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
President |
Former |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Coo |
Former |
| Hyatt Hotels Corporation |
Executive Positions |
Former |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Hospitality Industry Veteran |
Former |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Board Director |
Former |
| University of Florida |
Degree In Business Administration |
Former |
Orrin J. Edidin, 47, is President of WMS Industries.
Mr. Edidin leads WMS' engineering and product development, business development, global sales and marketing, manufacturing, materials planning, sourcing and global supply management.
Mr. Edidin's vigilant focus on innovation and the creation of intellectual property, product portfolio expansion and gaining global market share, has resulted in WMS' revenues more than tripling from 2001 through 2008, with a substantial improvement in earnings.
Mr. Edidin, who has been with WMS since 1997, also drives WMS's ever-expanding global footprint, thanks to organic growth supplemental by acquisitions, including Orion Gaming based in The Netherlands and Systems in Progress in Austria. He is also driving additional international expansion into Asia, Latin America and Europe. Through focused discipline on working capital management and better utilization of capital in WMS' gaming operations business, WMS' cash balance has more than doubled in the last two years.
Prior to joining WMS, Mr. Edidin was Associate General Counsel for Fruit of the Loom, Inc. and Farley Industries. From 1986 to 1992, he was Senior Attorney with the Chicago law firm of Katten Muchin Zavis Rosenman. Mr. Edidin also is a Trustee of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys and is Vice President of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers.
Mr. Edidin earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Illinois in 1983, and received a Juris Doctorate Degree, Cum Laude, from the University College of Law in 1986.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
President |
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
President |
Current |
| WMS Gaming Chicago |
COO & Executive Vice President |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Coo |
Former |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Executive Vice President |
Former |
| The Loom Company |
Associate General Counsel |
Former |
| The Fruit Company |
Associate General Counsel |
Former |
| University of Illinois |
Bachelor of Arts Degree |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President & Controller |
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Chief Accounting Officer |
Current |
| Forefront Education, Inc. |
Chief Financial Officer |
Former |
| Forefront Education, Inc. |
Treasurer |
Former |
As WMS' Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kenneth Lochiatto, 45, oversees the company's global commercial and customer service efforts, supervises manufacturing and materials, and manages sourcing and global supply. His unique combination of technical expertise and work experience has helped to improve WMS' operating margin and boost market share, as he focuses on improving customer relations, strengthening profitability and competitive positioning.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
Current |
As WMS' Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kenneth Lochiatto, 45, oversees the company's global commercial and customer service efforts, supervises manufacturing and materials, and manages sourcing and global supply. His unique combination of technical expertise and work experience has helped to improve WMS' operating margin and boost market share, as he focuses on improving customer relations, strengthening profitability and competitive positioning.
Mr. Lochiatto joined WMS in 2006 as Senior Vice President of Sales Operations, bringing a wealth of commercial and operational experience from his 22 year career at General Electric. Mr. Lochiatto's positions at GE included assignments in engineering, finance, marketing and manufacturing.
An engineer by training, Mr. Lochiatto holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master's degree in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
Current |
| Carnegie Mellon University |
Master's Degree In Industrial Administration |
Former |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Bachelor's Degree In Mechanical Engineering |
Former |
Larry Pacey, 44, is Executive Vice President, Global Products and Chief Innovation Officer with WMS Gaming.
Mr. Pacey is responsible for game development, engineering, product management, advanced R&D activities and marketing. Mr. Pacey's leadership and strategic vision have helped reinforce WMS' reputation as the foremost innovator of gaming products and services. His ground-breaking approach has led WMS to create new categories of game play that are revolutionizing the global gaming industry today. These efforts have resulted in Mr. Pacey being recognized as one of the industry's top 10 technology leaders by Casino Journal and top 20 visionaries by Global Gaming Business.
Under Mr. Pacey's leadership, WMS has helped transform slot machine play from a passive experience to one that players find interactive and engaging. During his tenure, Larry helped create first-of-a-kind technologies that shape the future of the networked casino including the Bluebird® and Bluebird2 gaming cabinets, CPU-NXT®2 operating system, and WAGE-NET server-based system. In addition, his team worked to introduce first-of-their-kind revolutionary platforms Transmissive Reels, Community Gaming, Sensory Immersion, and Adaptive Gaming that position WMS as a technology innovator and leader. These efforts have resulted in numerous top innovation, technology and product awards and honors from Casino Enterprise Management, Casino Journal as well as recognized as the most innovative company by Citigroup in 2007.
Mr. Pacey's background is steeped in video games and interactive entertainment. Prior to joining WMS in 2001, Larry was an Executive Producer for n-Space, Segasoft and Atari.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Executive Vice President, Global Products and Chief Innovation Officer |
Current |
Patricia Barten, 56, is Executive Vice President of Continuous Improvement of WMS Industries. Ms. Barten leads WMS' initiatives for global transformation, process alignment and operational excellence, including the strategic implementation of the enterprise-wide lean and sigma process improvement activities, strategy deployment efforts and operational risk management.
In her previous role Ms. Barten strengthened WMS' supply chain operational, margin, inventory and workforce improvements through the implementation of key operating methodologies. She now brings her leadership expertise and change management skills to enterprise-wide WMS level objectives. During her time with WMS, Ms. Barten has demonstrated success in leading complex interdisciplinary initiatives that span all business operations.
Prior to joining WMS in 2005, Ms. Barten spent 25 years at Motorola in various senior management roles including global operations, quality, productivity improvement, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, customer service, and knowledge management. Ms. Barten has a BSOE/IE from North Carolina University. She is on the Executive Board of Directors of a 501(c)3, has served on the Illinois Manufacturing Association's Board of Directors, and the Motorola University Board of Trustees.
Harold H. Bach, Jr. joined our Board in October 2003. He served as Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Vice President of Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) ("Midway") for more than five years until his retirement in September 2001. Mr. Bach also served as Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of WMS for over five years until 1999 when he resigned his position with us to devote his full business time to Midway. Mr. Bach is a certified public accountant (retired) and was a partner in the accounting firms of Ernst & Young (1989-1990) and Arthur Young & Company (1967-1989). Mr. Bach is the Chairman of our Audit and Ethics Committee.
Kathleen J. McJohn, 50, joined us in January 2003, assuming the offices of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in February 2003. Ms. McJohn is responsible for management of all legal affairs for WMS and its subsidiaries.
Previously, Ms. McJohn served in the law department of Sears, Roebuck and Co. (NYSE: S) for more than five years, most recently as Vice President, Law—Merchandising, in which she served as their primary counsel for all merchandise business and was responsible for all commercial, regulatory and general legal counseling for the merchandise businesses. Ms. McJohn also served as corporate attorney for Amoco Corporation from 1993 to 1996 and began her career as an associate at Latham & Watkins, a global law practice. At both Amoco Corporation and Latham & Watkins, Ms. McJohn specialized in Securities law, Mergers & Acquisitions, and general corporate law. Ms. McJohn is a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals and the International Association of Gaming Advisors.
Ms. McJohn received her J.D. Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, in 1985 from the University of Illinois, College of Law, and holds a M.A. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. from Georgetown University.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Vice President of Finance and Controller |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Cyberview Technology, Inc. |
Group CEO |
Current |
| WMS Gaming Chicago |
Executive Vice President |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Executive Vice President and Managing Director, International Operations |
Current |
| Cyberview Technology, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Progressive Gaming International Corporation |
Executive Vice President |
Former |
Neil D. Nicastro served in various executive positions for us, including President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, beginning in 1986 until his resignation from all executive positions with us in 1998. Mr. Nicastro served as Midway’s President from 1991 until May 2003 and Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to May 2003. He also served as Midway’s Chairman of the Board from 1996 until June 2004. Mr. Nicastro is Louis J. Nicastro’s son. Mr. Nicastro is a member of our Gaming Compliance Committee.
Bobby L. Siller joined our Board in January 2008. He was one of three members of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board serving for eight years from January 1999 until December 31, 2006. Prior to his appointment to the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, he served for 25 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). At the FBI, he was Special Agent-in-Charge of the Las Vegas Division for three years, as well as at bureau offices in Dayton, Ohio and Dallas, Texas, and as an administrator with the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Mr. Siller is a member of our Gaming Compliance Committee and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Edward W. Rabin was President of Hyatt Hotels Corporation until 2006, having served in various senior management roles since joining the company in 1969. Mr. Rabin is a director of SMG Corporation. He is also a director of PrivateBancorp, Inc. and serves on its investment, compensation, nominating and corporate governance committees. Mr. Rabin is a director of WMS Industries Inc., serving as chair of its compensation committee and as a member of its audit committee. He is a board member of Oneida Holdings, Inc. He is a board member and trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and a consulting director of the Richard Gray Gallery, Chicago and New York. Mr. Rabin attended the Wharton School of Advanced Business Management.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Richard Gray Gallery |
Consulting Director |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Lead Director |
Current |
| PrivateBancorp Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Museum of Contemporary Art |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Privatebancorp, Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Oneida Ltd. |
Director |
Current |
| Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Richard Gray Gallery |
Board Member |
Current |
| Museum of Contemporary Art |
Trustee |
Current |
| Hyatt Hotels Corporation |
President |
Former |
| Hyatt Hotels Corporation |
Chief Operating Officer |
Former |
| Hyatt Hotels Corporation |
Executive Vice President |
Former |
| Florida State University |
Masters In Business Administration |
Former |
Ira S. Sheinfeld has been a member of the law firm of Hogan & Hartson, LLP and a predecessor law firm, Squadron, Ellenoff, Plesent & Sheinfeld LLP, New York, New York, for more than five years. Mr. Sheinfeld is also a director of Midway.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Hogan & Hartson LLP |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Director |
Current |
| The Squadron Co |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Board Director |
Current |
| Hogan & Hartson LLP |
Member |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Energy East Corporation |
Vice President, Human Resources for Xerox Corporation, Stamford |
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Director |
Current |
| Energy East Corporation |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Fordham University |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. |
CFO & Executive Vice President |
Current |
| Europe Stock Exchange |
Executive Vice President |
Current |
| McGraw Hill |
|
Current |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Director |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Ltd. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| American Institute of Certified Public Accountants |
Member |
Current |
| Financial Executives Institute |
Member |
Current |
| The Hackett Group |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| New York University |
M.B.A. in finance |
Former |
| Mount St. Mary’s College |
B.S. Degree In Accounting |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Lasvegasbuffetclub |
Director |
Current |
| WMS Industries Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| WESCO Marine Engineering |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Central Parking Corp. |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| GE Engine Services, Inc. |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| GE Engine Services, Inc. |
President |
Former |
| Central Parking Corp. |
Vice Chairman of the Board |
Former |
Executive News
-
The McGraw-Hill Companies Schedules Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Announcement/Conference Call for Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Broadcast Newsroom - 7/09/09 - View Story
-
The McGraw-Hill Companies Schedules Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Announcement/Conference...
Reuters - 7/09/09 - View Story
-
The McGraw-Hill Companies Schedules Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Announcement/Conference Call for Tuesday, July 28, 2009
DMN Newswire - 7/09/09 - View Story
-
The McGraw-Hill Companies Schedules Second Quarter 2009 Earnings Announcement/Conference Call for Tuesday, July 28, 2009
PR Newswire - 7/09/09 - View Story
-
Tight Spot for the Slots
Barron's Online - 5/30/09 - View Story
-
Slotmaker: baby boomers, seniors still gamble most
Examiner.com - 5/24/09 - View Story