Executive Director Since: 2019

Jay Snowden is Chief Executive Officer and President of PENN Entertainment (“PENN”), which operates in 28 jurisdictions throughout North America with a broadly diversified portfolio of casinos, racetracks, and online sports betting and iCasino offerings. PENN’s focus is on organic cross-sell opportunities, reinforced by its market-leading retail casinos, sports media assets and technology, including a proprietary state-of-the-art, fully integrated digital sports betting and iCasino platform, and an in-house iCasino content studio. The Company’s portfolio is further bolstered by its industry-leading PENN Play™ customer loyalty program, offering its over 33 million members a unique set of rewards and experiences.
 
Since assuming the role of CEO in January 2020, Mr. Snowden has been the architect of the Company’s unique omnichannel strategy, which combines PENN’s diverse portfolio of land-based properties, which generate the highest tax-adjusted margins in the industry, along with a highly complementary digital business that is primarily focused on its Canadian operations and iCasino-first markets in the United States to maximize cross-sell opportunities and drive shareholder value. In addition, Mr. Snowden has led the effort to reimagine and modernize the entertainment experience at PENN’s properties, including spending $1 billion in committed capital on five new retail casino growth projects that are currently under construction or recently opened.
 
Mr. Snowden served as President and Chief Operating Officer since March 2017, was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2019, and has held various senior leadership roles since joining the Company in October 2011.  During his tenure as President and Chief Operating Officer, he led the Company’s successful margin improvement plans as well as the Company’s integration efforts following its acquisition of Pinnacle Entertainment.  
 
Prior to joining PENN, Mr. Snowden held leadership positions with Caesars Entertainment Corporation in several markets, including Las Vegas, NV and Atlantic City, NJ.  Mr. Snowden holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

 

Key Skills and Expertise

• Industry Experience (Gaming, Hospitality, Media): Gained from Mr. Snowden's more than 25-year successful career in the highly regulated and rapidly evolving gaming and sports betting industry, and hospitality and entertainment sectors. Prior to being appointed as CEO in 2020, he served as PENN’s President and Chief Operating Officer and as SVP of Regional Operations. Mr. Snowden previously spent 12 years with Caesars Entertainment, where he acquired significant gaming industry management experience across several regional and destination markets, including as SVP and General Manager of both Caesars and Harrah’s Resorts in Atlantic City.


• HR / Talent Management: Acquired through his executive leadership career overseeing human capital strategies at large corporations, including talent integration initiatives following strategic transactions. At PENN, Mr. Snowden oversaw the launch of the expansive talent development strategy designed to support the growth of the Interactive segment and attract and retain leading industry talent.


• Technology / Digital: His deep industry knowledge and digital transformation expertise provide unique perspectives on the Company’s strategic navigation of its broader omnichannel expansion and customer engagement strategies.

Career Highlights

• PENN Entertainment
  • CEO and President (since 2020), President and Chief Operating Officer (2017 - 2019), Chief Operating Officer (2014 - 2017), Senior Vice President of Regional Operations (2011 - 2014)

• Caesars and Harrah's Resorts Atlantic City – Casino resort and hotel
  • Senior Vice President and General Manager (2010 - 2011)

• Caesars Entertainment Corporation – Leading global gaming and hospitality resort chain
  • Various leadership positions in St. Louis, San Diego and Las Vegas (1998 - 2010)

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