Penn National Gaming announced the appointment of Bob Sheldon as president of Las Vegas operations effective July 6, subject to regulatory approvals. In this newly created position, Sheldon will oversee the operations of Tropicana Las Vegas following the completion of the company’s acquisition of the iconic Strip property, which is expected to occur later this year, as well as the operations of the M Resort in Henderson.
Sheldon will report directly to Jay Snowden, Penn National’s chief operating officer.
Sheldon currently serves as general manager of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, which is jointly owned with International Speedway Corporation, and was responsible for the property’s successful opening in February 2012. A search for his replacement is under way.
“Bob has been a key member of our integration planning team as we begin to lay the foundation for a smooth transition at Tropicana Las Vegas,” said Snowden. “He’s excited to be returning to his professional roots in Las Vegas, where he began his career at the Las Vegas Hilton and later spent many years with the Mirage Resorts organization, including serving as President of the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino.
“He has a deep knowledge of not only the Las Vegas market but how to successfully run large resort operations, including Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, as well as the Waldorf=Astoria and the Beverly Hills Hilton. Bob is ideally suited to drive our Las Vegas strategy forward and lead the Tropicana Las Vegas in its next phase of growth and long-term success.”
Anthony Marnell, who is currently the president and general manager at the M Resort, will be transitioning to a new strategic consulting role for Penn National focused on community and political relations in Nevada, as well as Penn National’s long-term property development plans in Las Vegas.
Marnell, along with Marnell Corrao Associates, designed and built the M Resort in 2007 and opened the property in 2009.
“Every inch of the M Resort bears the Marnell family signature for high-quality design and exquisite attention to detail,” said Snowden. “We are proud to retain the M Resort name and carry on the Marnell family legacy there.
“Going forward, Penn National will benefit from Anthony’s expertise and knowledge of Nevada gaming and the greater Las Vegas business and political landscape. As we integrate Tropicana Las Vegas into our growing property portfolio and further refine the operations at the resort, Anthony’s casino, design and construction expertise will also be invaluable to our entire team as we focus on the long-range master planning of our operations in Las Vegas.
“Bob Sheldon and his team will work closely with Anthony over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.”
