Park Place Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: PPE) today named veteran casino executive Donna Graham as the new president of the Atlantic City Hilton. The appointment is effective upon regulatory notification.
In her new role, Graham will oversee the operations of one of Atlantic City`s premier beachfront casino resorts, which features more than 800 guest rooms, a 60,000-square foot casino, seven restaurants, a lounge and a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Graham, who most recently served as executive vice president of operations at Caesars Atlantic City, replaces former Atlantic City Hilton President Leonard DeAngelo, who is resigning to pursue a new business opportunity. DeAngelo will remain in his current position until mid-July.
“Donna Graham is a skilled, imaginative and seasoned executive whose significant experience in casino operations and finance has well prepared her for this new assignment,” said Park Place President and Chief Executive Officer Wallace R. Barr. “We`re delighted that she`s taking charge of the Hilton at this exciting time in Atlantic City`s history.
“We also want to thank Len DeAngelo for his energy and commitment to the Hilton and to Park Place during the past two-and-a-half years. We wish him the very best in his new endeavors,” Barr added.
“It`s an exciting time to return to the Hilton,” Graham said. “We`re in a perfect position to capitalize on Atlantic City`s transformation into a true destination resort, with the focus on entertainment and recreation. With the Hilton`s exceptionally talented team of associates, we`re going to continue to deliver the very best that Atlantic City has to offer.”
A longtime Park Place employee, Graham was named to the executive vice president position at Caesars in December 2002. Previously, Graham was chief financial officer for all of Park Place`s Atlantic City properties, including Bally`s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Hilton and the former Claridge Casino, which has since merged with Bally`s.
Before her appointment to the regional CFO position in January, 1997, Graham was vice president of finance at the Atlantic City Hilton. She began her gaming career at the Hilton, then known as the Golden Nugget, in 1985 as an internal auditor. She was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility in the finance group at the Hilton until she was named vice president.
A native of Hamilton Township, N.J., Graham was graduated from Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. She is a resident of Ventnor, N.J.
Park Place Entertainment is one of the world`s leading gaming companies. Park Place owns, manages or has an interest in 27 gaming properties operating under the Caesars, Bally`s, Flamingo, Grand Casinos, Hilton and Paris brand names with a total of approximately two million square feet of gaming space, 29,000 hotel rooms and 54,000 employees worldwide.
Additional information on Park Place Entertainment can be accessed through the company`s web site at www.parkplace.com.
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