Our Team

Born into a family of hoteliers, Mitchell Grossinger Etess has a lifetime of hospitality experience and 20 years with Mohegan Sun and MGE (Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment), as he was an instrumental member the casino’s pre-opening team in 1996 as Senior VP of Marketing.

In 2004, Etess was elevated to President and Chief Executive Officer to oversee the overall management and operation of Mohegan Sun, the Northeast’s premier entertainment destination. Shortly thereafter, Etess was appointed CEO of MGE, an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe, who own and operate Mohegan Sun. For several years, Etess held dual roles as CEO for MGE and President & CEO for Mohegan Sun until 2011, where focus then became solely on corporate diversification as CEO for MGE.

After a transition in 2015, where Etess took on a vital advisory role for the Mohegan Tribe, he returned as CEO of MGE in mid-February of 2017.

Prior to his time with Mohegan Sun, Etess worked in several high-level marketing positions at destinations like Players Island Resort•Casino•Spa in Nevada and Trump Plaza hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Additionally, Etess worked in virtually every capacity – and finally as General Manager – at his family’s Grossinger’s Hotel in Grossinger, New York. It was here that Etess, who was raised at the hotel, got his early training in the hospitality industry.
A graduate of New York City’s Columbia University, Etess resides in East Lyme, Connecticut with his wife Karen.

Thomas Burke, with over thirty-five years of gaming industry experience, serves as Chief Operating Officer of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment. In this position, he oversees operations of all MGE owned and managed properties. Prior to his position, Burke was Senior Vice President of Regional Gaming Operations for Penn National Gaming, Inc. where he was responsible for overseeing all facets of eight (8) gaming facilities located in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri. Previously, Tom held executive positions with Penn National, Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa in Riverside, Missouri and Bullwhackers properties in Colorado.

Burke has been involved with casino industry associations as well as community and charitable organizations such as the United Way and Scouting. Burke earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Rutgers University and an MBA from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

A Cornell University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in science, Mario Kontomerkos joined the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment in September of 2011. He oversees all of the finance matters for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s growing businesses. His career path evolved through various key financial, research and analytical roles prior to joining MGE, with companies like Magnetar Capital LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Kontomerkos’ experience also includes service as a consultant for TPG Capital LLC on the acquisition of Harrah’s Entertainment, the largest leveraged buyout in the history of the gaming industry.

Tim Baker joined MGE as the Senior Vice President of Architecture and Design in 2014. Prior to this position, Baker was Vice President of Architecture for Caruso Affiliated where he was the lead in design effort, including master planning and aesthetic direction. Previously, Timothy served as the Vice President of Design and Planning at Hetzel Design, as well as Executive Director of Design for Las Vegas Sands and Design Director for RM JM. Baker’s career also includes executive positions with organizations such as RTKL-UK Ltd., Ellis Williams Architects and Fitch Design.

Fred Brown was named CIO and Senior Vice President of Information Technology for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment in September 2015. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction and operation of information technology for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and all of their wholly owned and managed properties. Fred has been with the Mohegan team since 2006 when he helped open Mohegan Sun Pocono, Pennsylvania’s first casino. Since then, he and his teams have played integral roles in the innovation, operation and expansion of existing properties as well as technological direction and planning for new development. Prior to joining Mohegan, Fred spent most of his 20+ year IT career in technology consulting supporting a wide range of markets which included Fortune 500 utilities and accounting firms.

In his role as Senior Vice President of Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Tom Cantone oversees all aspects of the entertainment offerings at all MGE properties including Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Additionally, he resumes similar responsibilities at all future properties acquired and/or managed by MGE.
Cantone previously served as Vice President of Sports & Entertainment of the flagship property in Connecticut since 2007. Prior to Mohegan Sun, Cantone held senior management marketing positions at Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Sands Hotel & Casino, Hershey Entertainment & Resort Co., Hollywood Casino and various Trump properties. He brings over 25 years of experience to his new role and is a graduate of Penn State University.

Anthony Casdia was named Senior Vice President of Business Development for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment in May 2016. Anthony has over 25 years of gaming experience in the areas of operations management, operational accounting and finance and corporate finance. Prior to joining our team, Casdia was Corporate Vice President of Finance and Administration for Genting Americas. From 2005 through 2014, Casdia held various senior positions as a property CFO, Assistant General Manager and Corporate Finance Director at Penn National Gaming. From 2002 through 2005, Anthony served as the Vice President of Finance for Seneca Gaming Corporation where he played a key role in the development and opening of the Seneca Niagara Casino and Seneca Allegany Casino.

George Galinsky was named Senior Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA) in June 2014. In his role, Galinsky assists with property collaboration on all communications and cross property promotion, and helps with synergy for brand, budget, media and production efficiencies for all MTGA owned and managed properties.

Galinsky has been a large contributor to MTGA for over 15 years. His main focus began at the flagship property in Connecticut, but his work has expanded to include all current and future MGE owned and managed properties. Additionally, he is responsible for overseeing marketing strategy and execution for all consumer and casino communications for Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Pocono, Resorts Casino Hotel, Paragon Casino Resort and ilani.

Gary brings to Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment over thirty years of experience in the gaming industry.

His experience includes leading the opening of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course as Vice President and General Manager where he spent four years. Prior to joining MGE, Gary held the position of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Parx Casino in Bensalem Pennsylvania.

Gary started his career in casino administration at Bally’s Park Place in Atlantic City New Jersey. Early in his career he also worked at Sands Hotel and Casino where he held positions for nearly seventeen years which included Vice President of Organizational Development and Senior Vice President for Casino Operations and Marketing.
Gary’s international experience includes leading the casino division of Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas for three years as Senior Vice President for Casino Operations and Marketing.

In addition to serving in the U.S. Navy Active Reserves, Gary holds a B.A. from Eastern Michigan University.

In his position as Senior Vice President of Construction Development, Bud Phillips has a vital role assisting with all executive-level logistics for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment. Previously, Phillips held executive positions at Pontiac Land Group, Facchina Construction Florida, Kerzner International Development and Nakheel. Bud brings to MGE over 26 years of experience in all aspects of logistics, material acquisitions, project management, labor utilization and welfare, project site security, health and safety, contract management, project site coordination and procurement/procedural operations.

Prior to joining MGE, Robert spent nine years with Las Vegas Sands Corp, most recently as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Sands China Limited where he was responsible for managing the legal and compliance functions for this Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed company. Concurrently, Rubenstein also served as Senior Vice President and Global Deputy General Counsel for Las Vegas Sands, where he was an integral part of the executive team responsible for developments in Singapore, Macau and the U.S. He also held roles within the company including Chief Audit Executive and Interim Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to his time with Las Vegas Sands, Rubenstein was the Associate General Counsel at Oshkosh Corporation, a Fortune 500 global automotive manufacturer, where he was responsible for transactional, merger and acquisition, governance and security matters. Rob has also written and spoken on ethics issues in the United States.

In his role as VP of Interactive Gaming, Alroy develops strategies for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s online real money gaming as well as its social and mobile gaming. Alroy’s responsibilities extend also to the overall internet marketing strategy for web and mobile platforms across MGE properties. Alroy has over a decade of experience in e-commerce, internet marketing, casual and wager gaming in both the Unites States and Europe.

Howard Clarke joined the MGE corporate team as the Vice President of Architecture and Design in 2016. Clarke is responsible for the direction and technical application of assigned design and architectural projects including implementation, compliance, budget management and alignment with strategic business initiatives. Additionally, Howard plays a vital role as an advisor for proposed and existing development projects especially in regard to architectural and interior design, code compliance, initiatives, operational efficiency and financial stability.

Peter Roberti joined Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment as Vice President of Corporate Finance in 2005 and was named Chief Accounting Officer for MGE in 2015. In his role as Chief Accounting Officer, Roberti is responsible for all the financial reporting and accounting for the consolidated accounts of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and subsidiaries, including our flagship property, Mohegan Sun. Peter oversees the corporate accounting and external reporting departments including all of our required filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, Peter oversees the finance and treasury departments at MGE. Prior to joining MGE, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Reed and Barton Corporation. A certified public accountant, Roberti was previously employed by Ernst & Young LLP, as a Senior Audit Manager.

David Rome brings more than 20 years of experience in advising Indian tribes and other legal clients in highly regulated industries. Prior to joining Mohegan Sun, Rome was a partner in private practices specializing in tribal and gaming finance, development and management. He counseled tribal clients, an international gaming company and others during business in Indian country on billions of dollars of transactions. With experience as in-house General Counsel, outside legal counsel and lobbyist, David assists the Mohegan Gaming Advisors team in developing strong and cost-effective strategies for diversification, compliance and risk management and the careful integration of hotel, retail, golf and other gaming amenities.

Helen Ann Shockey serves as Vice President of Retail and Supply of MGE. In this position, Shockey oversees Purchasing, Retail, Distribution, Liquor Pump Rooms, Food Storeroom and Leased Space for our flagship property in Connecticut. Prior to her position, Shockey joined Mohegan Sun as the Director of Purchasing and Warehouse and Wardrobe. Shockey has spent her entire career from the age of 19 years old working her way up to her current position, and has been part of the opening of nine various hotels and casinos. Helen Ann has been with the company prior to opening in 1996.

Scott Wells joined the MGE team in May 2005. In his role, Wells manages the implementation of legal support for MGE and its various properties, and assists with a broad range of business and financial matters, including those relating to capital structure and capital marketing strategies and transactions, mergers and acquisitions and development and project management. Wells is also responsible for MGE’s public reporting requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wells brings over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, transactional and securities law to MGE. Prior to joining MGE, Wells practiced law at corporate and securities firms in New York City and Norwalk, Connecticut.

A day one employee, Ballester began her career at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut in 1996, and soon rose to the lead role of the PR department for the flagship property, as Director of Public Relations. As Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment grew both in and out of the state, so did Ballester’s vital role and responsibilities in overseeing all communications and press relations for the company, resulting in a promotion to Director of Corporate Communications for MGE in 2016.

Coming soon!

Mary Lou Morrissette has been with Mohegan Sun since its first property opened in 1996 in Connecticut. Named Corporate Director of Risk Management just a few years later, Morrissette has been integral in the research and evaluation for current and ever-changing trends in risk management, safety, loss control and claims management for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment owned, operated and/or managed properties. She is responsible for a multitude of other focuses as well, including, but not limited to, cost allocation, insurance coverages and cost evaluations for multiple property expansions.

In her role as Director of Organizational Development, Kelly Sullivan is responsible for the strategic direction, tactical planning and operational oversight of the Human Resources operations of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and all of their wholly owned and managed properties. She also develops new programs and organizational approaches in alignment with strategic initiatives and assists with the execution and opening of all properties and affiliates.

Paul Surprenant currently serves as Director of Corporate Purchasing for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and has been a part of the organization since its flagship property in Connecticut, Mohegan Sun, opened in 1996. Surprenant has held a variety of positions along his career with Mohegan Sun and MGE. As Director of Corporate Purchasing, Surprenant oversees the day to day operations of the Purchasing Department in Connecticut and provides direction an support to all of the MGE properties. Local, regional and minority vendor relationships are also a major focus.

Surprenant previously held roles for Marriot Management Services and graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI.

Paul Toennes joined the MGE corporate team in June 2016 after 4 years with the Mohegan Sun Pocono Marketing team. In his current role, Paul develops marketing campaigns and provides analysis for the marketing and hotel revenue management at all MGE owned and managed properties. Prior to joining MGE in 2012, he held positions at RCN Corporation and Berwick Offray, LLC, where he led teams focusing on market research, strategic planning and team development. Paul brings over 15 years of analytical and strategic management experience in various capacities.

Coming soon!

As Director of Brand Marketing, Paula Tycienski-Russo is the strategic lead on all visual creative materials for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment owned, operated and/or managed properties. Tycienski is vital for overseeing the consistency and execution on the overall MGE brand and visual direction of all marketing communications for MGE properties.

Michelle Williams joined the Mohegan Sun family as part of the Public Relations team in 2007, and worked on the team that launched the brand’s social networks in 2009. Since that time, she’s overseen an award-winning effort which supports each of MGE’s properties, engaging with millions of guests online daily.