Our Team

A Cornell University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in science, Mario Kontomerkos joined the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) in September of 2011 as Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, he oversaw all of the finance matters for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s (MGE) growing businesses. In October 2017, he was elevated to Chief Executive Officer to focus on corporate diversification. His career path evolved through various key financial, research and analytical roles with companies like Penn National Gaming, Magnetar Capital LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities, Lehman Brothers 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.

Recently joining Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) in the fall of 2018, Michael Silberling brings over 30 years of experience in leading all facets of multiple global integrated resorts across the U.S. and internationally. Prior to joining MGE, Silberling served as CEO for Affinity Gaming, where he led a business turnaround which created significant guest service and operating margin improvements. Prior to that, Silberling was President of International Operations for Caesars Entertainment and Managing Director for London Clubs International, where he oversaw 15 casinos across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) appointed Drew M. Kelley as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, bringing a significant background in investment banking specialized in gaming, hospitality and leisure to the company. In his new role, Kelley reports to CEO Mario Kontomerkos, providing executive leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of the company’s financial activities, while addressing key areas for opportunity and implementing tactics to accelerate growth for MGE. As CFO of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), Kelley is also responsible for communicating with the Mohegan Tribal Chairman and Tribal Council regarding all financial matters to further support the efficiency of the company’s overall business plan. Before accepting the role with MGE, Kelley served as interim CEO of ARC Group Worldwide, Inc. and spent many years as the company’s CFO during the years prior. In addition, Kelley spent more than 10 years in progressive levels of investment banking and equity research with several leading Wall Street firms, including Merrill Lynch & Co., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., and Jefferies LLC, serving as advisor to numerous gaming and entertainment companies.

Fred Brown was named CIO and Senior Vice President of Information Technology for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) in September 2015. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction and operation of information technology for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) 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 (MGE), 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 (MGE) 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.

Richard Lindsay joins the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) team as Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer and is responsible for overseeing, directing and managing the business development and growth opportunities for MGE, including identifying, negotiating and creating strategic deals both internationally and domestically. As Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Lindsay will work closely with the CEO and executive leadership to drive the company’s strategic vision of becoming world-renowned as a premier, global integrated resort and entertainment brand. Before joining the MGE team, Lindsay worked with John Buck Company and Kerzner International and brings decades of experience developing world-class resorts in global markets including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New Delhi, England, Germany and Mexico.

As the new SVP and General Counsel of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), Tom Smock officially joins the company to lead MGE’s legal and compliance functions. Smock brings more than 20 years of experience as an executive and in-house counsel at various casino gaming companies, including General Counsel at Aristocrat Technologies and Special Counsel of Gaming Operations at Penn National Gaming, with significant experience in Macau, China and South America. Prior to MGE, Smock was SVP and General Counsel & Compliance Chair for all of the Las Vegas Sands Asian-based companies, where he was instrumental in the development and opening of the region’s first foreign-owned casino, Sands Macau, and also supported the development of the Venetian Macau and the internationally known Cotai Strip.

In his role as VP of Interactive Gaming, Alroy develops strategies for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s (MGE) 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.

In his role as VP / Chief Compliance Officer for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), Marc Comella will provide the senior-level leadership to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive Compliance Program.

Comella has an extensive background in developing and implementing compliance programs which are rooted in his operational and strategic experience within the gaming industry. Comella previously served as VP of Regulatory Compliance for Bally Technologies where he ensured compliance with gaming laws applicable to business operations of the company in over 300+ worldwide jurisdictions.

Joining Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) in 2017 as Vice President of Corporate Finance, Christopher attains experience with consumer analyst with over fifteen years of experience covering the consumer discretionary sector. Most recently, focused on the global gaming industry and past experiences range from financial planning and analysis, strategic planning and development, to deep management and investor relationships across the Global Gaming, lodging and retail sectors. Previous roles include: Senior Gaming, Lodging and Leisure Research Analyst for The Buckingham Research Group, Managing Director – Senior Gaming Analyst for Union Gaming Securities and Senior Equity Analyst – Specialty Retail SVP for Oppenheimer & Co.

Peter Roberti joined Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) 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.

Erica Tessier has over 25 years of vast experience in the casino marketing industry and is a day one employee of Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Her career with Mohegan Sun includes management positions in departments of VIP Services, Casino Marketing and Consumer Promotions. Tessier was promoted to VP of Marketing at Mohegan Sun Pocono in 2017 where she was responsible for overseeing marketing strategy and execution for all consumer and casino communications. In 2019, Tessier began her role as the VP of Corporate Marketing for MGE, where her primary responsibility is to work with all MGE properties and joint ventures to ensure thorough knowledge of marketing programs, campaigns and practices.

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 (MGE) 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 (MGE) 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.

James Wood has been with Mohegan Sun since 1997 and was named Corporate Director of Finance in 2008. Wood is heavily involved in the full scope of Finance, Treasury, Accounting and SEC reporting for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) owned and operated properties.