German slot and AWP supplier Merkur Gaming has named Charles Hiten as the new managing director of Merkur Gaming Americas, responsible for sales activities of the Gauselmann Group subsidiary in North, Central and South America.
Hiten succeeds Jens Halle, the longtime Novomatic executive who spent several months as Merkur’s managing director before his sudden death in May. According to a statement from the company, Hiten’s focus will be on continuity with Merkur’s international business plan, continuing process begun by Halle of further consolidating and expanding sales activities in the Americas.
“With Charles Hiten, we have gained a former colleague and close friend of Jens Halle for this important key position on the American continent, said Jürgen Stühmeyer, sales director for the Gauselmann Group. “He is an acknowledged expert in the industry, and will enrich Merkur Gaming with his wealth of knowledge and experience. I’m convinced that Charles Hiten will successfully continue our company strategy in the American market.”
In the course of more than 15 years in the gaming industry, Hiten has held a range of important positions in international companies. Most recently, he was at Novomatic AG, in charge of the investment strategy for the Chilean market. As managing director for Merkur Gaming Americas, he will head the business activities in North and South America from the American subsidiary’s headquarters in Florida. He will likewise manage activities for the Caribbean market as well as for the Cruise Lines business area.
“The collaboration with Merkur Gaming and the resulting potential are a promising opportunity both for me, as well as for our customers and business partners,” said Hiten. “Together, we want to continue on the path that Jens Halle began, namely of positioning Merkur Gaming as the most important provider in the Americas region.”
