Seneca Gaming Corp. has named Joanne Israel as general manager at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and Marc Papaj as general manager at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. Seneca Gaming Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Nephew said, “Joanne and Marc have established themselves as effective and respected leaders in our organization who share a similar focus on delivering operational success and excellent customer service. We’re proud to have them lead our Seneca Niagara and Seneca Buffalo Creek properties into their next exciting chapters.”
Israel joined Seneca Gaming Corp. in 2011 after five years in public accounting. After being named assistant general manager at Seneca Niagara in 2018, she managed a $40 million renovation project. She also oversaw the closing and reopening of the resort due to Covid-19. She served as general manager at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino from 2016-2018, where she supervised a $40 million expansion. Israel also has served as corporate director or finance and casino controller for Seneca Gaming Corporation.
Israel said, “Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is recognized throughout the gaming industry a destination of choice. Our reputation as a world-class operation has been built by the incredible and tireless work of thousands of dedicated team members over the past two decades. I’m grateful for the opportunity to carry that work forward.”
A member of the Seneca Nation, Israel holds a Bachelor of Administration degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree from Niagara University. She received the first Rising Leader Award presented by the National Indian Gaming Association.
Marc Papaj began his career in the hospitality industry in 1996, working in management roles at Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, W Los Angeles Westwood and the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. He also opened the Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandra, Virginia, for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Papaj joined Seneca Gaming Corp. in 2011 and has served as assistant general manager at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino since 2018. Previously, Papaj was vice president of resort operations at Seneca Niagara, where he led a $7 million renovation project. He also served as vice president of resort operations at Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.
A member of the Seneca Nation, Papaj graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Currently he is completing a dual executive MBA program at the SC Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University and the Smith Business School of Queens University.
“I am honored to accept this opportunity and continue to grow my career with Seneca Gaming Corp. We have built a culture of energy and excitement at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, which is truly a centerpiece in downtown Buffalo. I am excited to work with our team to build on that excitement in the months and years ahead,” Papaj said.
Seneca Gaming Corporation, a wholly owned, tribally chartered corporation of the Seneca Nation of Indians, operates Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca, plus the award-winning championship Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston. The company employs more than 3,000 people.
