Independent Director Since: 1994
Board Chair Since: 2019
Board Committees: None

 

Mr. Handler has over 30 years of investment banking experience representing clients on many of the largest and most transformative transactions in the technology sector. In 2022, he co-founded Tidal Partners, a strategic M&A advisory firm headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Mr. Handler is a strategy and transaction thought partner to CEOs and boards as they navigate through the rapidly changing and increasingly complex technology industry. His experience in the highly regulated gaming industry, especially given the impact of technology, provides invaluable contributions to the Board’s oversight of PENN’s growth and capital allocation strategies.

Mr. Handler has a BS in marketing and an MBA in finance from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Key Skills and Expertise

• Financial (Capital Markets, Accounting & Tax): Acquired over his 30+ year career in investment banking where he successfully advised clients on significant business transformation initiatives to unlock shareholder value.


• Strategic Planning / M&A: Gained through decades of guiding major technology industry players on large-scale, high-profile and industry-defining transactions. Mr. Handler's long-term exposure to the gaming and technology industries, including opportunities created by emerging technologies, is an especially valuable asset to the Board.


• Technology / Digital: As a co-founder of an M&A advisory firm focused on the technology sector, Mr. Handler contributes to the Board deep strategic insights into the evolving industry landscape, expertise in effective risk oversight and the ability to identify strategic opportunities for PENN's omnichannel growth strategy.

Career Highlights

• Tidal Partners – Strategic M&A advisory firm focused on the technology industry
  • Co-Founder and Partner (since 2022)

• Centerview Partners – Investment banking and advisory firm
  • Partner, founding Head of the Technology Group (2008 - 2022)

• UBS – Global investment bank
  • Managing Director, Co-Head of Americas Technology Investment Banking (2006 - 2009)

• Bear Stearns & Company – Specialized financial services company and investment bank
  • Managing Director, Co-Head of Communications Technology Investment Banking (2000 - 2006)

• Jefferies – Investment banking and capital markets firm
  • Managing Director, Head of New York Investment Banking (1995 - 2000)

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